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Choosing the Right Football Ball

To ensure a proper grip for throwing and catching, the size of the football should be proportionate to the size of the athlete; the smaller the player, the smaller the ball.

Full-sized: Ages 15 and over. There are two types of full-sized balls. The largest, the Pro ball, is used by professional football players. The slightly smaller Collegiate ball is used by college and high school players.
Youth: Ages 12-14.
Junior: Ages 10-12.
Pee Wee: Ages 9 and younger.

Football Coverings
How you plan to use the ball is crucial in selecting the football cover. There are three basic cover types: leather, composite and rubber.

Leather
If you want the same ball used by the pros to give as a gift or for league play, a leather ball is for you.

Strengths: Considered best for grip, feel and control, especially after it's broken in.
Weaknesses: Can be damaged if scraped against a hard surface such as asphalt or concrete and is less durable.

Composite
Approximates the look and feel of a leather ball.

Strengths: Durable, resistant to moisture, and less expensive than a leather ball.

Rubber
The least expensive ball, and the one that will hold up best to the pounding of a street game.

Strengths: Very durable and the least expensive.
Weaknesses: Can be slick and hard compared to other covers.

Football Construction
In addition to the cover, footballs are made up of three other basic parts: the laces, the bladder and the lining.

Laces: Keeps the cover together and used to grip the ball when throwing. The best balls have leather laces, either double- or triple-stitched. This makes for a better grip and prevents cracking or tearing. Rubber balls usually have rubber-molded laces.
Bladder: Holds the air and provides resiliency. Can be made of many different materials. Some balls have double bladders for better protection against leaks and deterioration.
Lining: Protects the bladder and helps keep the ball's shape.