Football Sizes report

American Football is one of the most popular ball games in the United States and the first of the four major professional sports in North America. American football originated from English football, and the rules changed after it was introduced to the United States.

American football is a highly contentious contact sport. Because there are often strong physical collisions with opposing players, players need to wear helmets and protective gear. Professional football grew rapidly in the mid-1960s, with American football even surpassing baseball as Americans' favorite sport in some surveys.

All footballs are not made equally. Playing the football game doesn't mean that you will be using the same ball. There is a different size American football that you should use depending on how old you are and what level of the game you are playing. Keep reading the following post to learn more about standard American football sizes.

Football Size Guide

An American Football is the leather spheroid ball used to play the sport of American Football. American Football is a prolate spheroid that allows players to tuck it under their arms easily. It is typically made of cowhide leather giving it its characteristic brown color, and has eight white laces. An American Football used in youth games or recreationally is usually made from rubber. The National Football League regulates the appearance and dimensions of American Football.

Footballs come in several sizes to accommodate athletes of different ages. Younger athletes use smaller balls, and football sizes gradually increase as athletes advance to higher levels. Choosing the correct football-size for your child will help develop their confidence and interest in improving their football skills.

Football Size Chart

Official Pro Footballs (Size 9+, Ages 14 & up)

Pro footballs are in line with the dimensions set by all North American pro leagues, approximately 11 to 11.25 inches in length, with a circumference of roughly 28 inches of the long side.

Official College / High School Footballs (Size 9, Ages 14 & up)

These footballs measure slightly smaller than an official NFL-sized football, approximately 10.5 to 11.5 inches in length, with a circumference of roughly 28 inches on the long side of the ball and 21 inches on the short side.

Youth Footballs (Size 7, Ages 12-14)

Youth footballs have an average weight of 12.5 ounces, with a roughly 26.25 inches long circumference and an approximately 19.5 inches short circumference. These footballs are slightly smaller than the high school/college size, allowing younger players to better grip when holding the ball.

Junior Footballs (Size 6, Ages 9-12)

9-12 year olds teens may not be ready for the big footballs. Junior footballs are specially designed for kids and have an average weight of 11 ounces, with a roughly 25-inch long circumference and a roughly 18.5-inch short circumference.

PEE WEE (Size 5, Ages 6-9)

Pee wee footballs fit the hands of children ages 6 to 9. These small footballs allow children to grip the ball correctly and enjoy the success of learning to throw it accurately. This ball size also doesn’t overload the child’s arm with excess weight that could cause injury.

Summary

The governing bodies at each level determine the football's dimensions. Choosing the right size football is important to prevent injury and ensure a great playing experience. You should decide based on the user's age and usage, with some optional features to make things more fun. When faced with so many options, we recommend that you consult your team's coaches and professionals.