Football is one of the most equipment heavy sports, mainly due to the violent nature of the game. While many recreational games may be played with simply a football and gym clothes, almost all organized football leagues use helmets and wear pads covering a large portion of their bodies.
The Ball
The basic piece of equipment you need for any football game, from a pick-up game in your backyard to a professional game in front of thousands of people, is the football. The football is typically brown in color, as it is made from pebble-grained leather, which helps you get a better grip on the ball. The ball is oblong shaped and inflated with air. It typically weighs between 14 and 15 ounces when inflated properly. The ball measures between 11 and 11.5 inches in length with a circumference of 28.5 inches at its widest.
Helmet
The helmet is designed to absorb and dissipate the impact when you hit another player or the ground. The helmets also have a face mask on front, which allow you to see but protects your face from injury. The helmet is typically made from a polycarbonate shell with thick foam padding inside to help cradle the head upon impact. A chin strap loops under your chin to hold the helmet snugly onto your head. Some players may opt to wear a visor or shield in the gap between the face mask and helmet to prevent errant fingers from poking them in the eye.
Pads
Football players wear pads to cover the parts of your body most susceptible to being hit. Shoulder pads are the biggest type of pads and underneath your jersey. These are slightly different, depending on position. Shoulder pads attach to your chest protector, which protects your vital organs. Some players wear rib pads or a flak jacket for extra protection. Hip pads, tailbone pads, knee pads and thigh pads all fit into your girdle and/or football pants. Another crucial piece of equipment is the cup, which is often worn in combination with a girdle or jock strap.
Cleats
The type of cleats that players wear varies by position. Linemen often prefer high-top cleats, to give them extra support and stability. Skill position players, such as wide receivers, running backs and defensive backs, will often wear low-cut cleats that are lightweight and allow for more maneuverability. Cleats also come as molded or detachable. Molded works best for youth players or on turf fields while detachable cleats work better for wet or hard ground. Higher-quality cleats come in leather, whereas less expensive cleats are made from a synthetic material.
Member Comments