The Best Materials for Making a Football

Footballs had advanced and changed several times before we arrived at today's modern design. Originally designed using an inflated pig bladder as the ball, the awkward shape made it difficult to catch and throw, according to Richard Lindon. After making alterations to the design of the football, it features an outer shell, as well as laces sewn in for grip. The future of football is all about its material; the league hopes to find a material that does not hold water, as well as being more resistant to the cold.

  1. Rubber

    • Rubber has been a popular material for balls in many sports, including basketball, lacrosse, ice hockey, and of course, football. The material allows the ball to be completely water-proof, providing players the ability to use it outdoors during any weather conditions. It also has a durable nature, allowing the ball to hit asphalt or concrete repeatedly without noticeable wear. The only downfall of a rubber football is its slippery nature when it is initially purchased. After the initial play, the rubber wears, creating a surface that provides the quarterback and receivers with substantial grip. The last advantage of creating footballs of rubber, the price, rubber footballs are the cheapest effective option for players.

    Composite Leather

    • Composite leather footballs represent the next tier in football quality; it can be used in both high school and college games. The composite leather is a combination of various materials, including real leather, non-leather fiber, binding agents, and several softening agents to provide a real feel that is soft to the touch, according to Fresh Patents. Composite leather is a popular option for outdoor sports like basketball and football because the material is long lasting. It has the advantage of feeling like a genuine leather ball, but also features the durability of a rubber ball. The material allows players to use it in a variety of situations, including actual games or simply tossing it around while tailgating for a football game. Lastly, the material is also relatively cheap to produce, keeping the composite leather footballs at a reasonable price.

    Leather

    • The pinnacle of football material, actual leather, used for NFL football games, including the specially marked super bowl balls, according to American Sports Collectibles. The tough characteristics of real leather allow the ball to maintain the square shape after extended use; unlike the other materials which round after impacting the ground many times, according to Free Patents Online. The strong shape of the ball also allows for a distinct flight pattern that does not yield over time or in different weather conditions. However, in cold weather the ball becomes hard, making it difficult to catch and throw. Unfortunately, the advantages of the authentic leather ball are several, but the price tag is several times more expensive than the other materials; making it an unavailable option for many casual players.