American Football - Equipment

Primarily, to have an American football match, the basic equipment required is the American football called the Ovoid ball.

Ovoid ball − The ball used for the play is an egg-shaped brown coloured ball called the Ovoid ball. It is 11 inches or 35 centimetres in length from tip to tip and 22 inches or 55 centimetres in circumference at the centre of the ball. The ball weighs about 450gms and inflated to a pressure of 0.6 to 1.1 atomospheres.

Apart from the ball the players need to put on some protective equipment to compete in the game.

Helmet − Comprises of jaw pads, an integrated face mask, chin strap, mouth guard and particular shock absorbents to reduce the force of impacts of the ball.

Shoulder Pads − A key equipment with hard outer made of plastic and shock absorbing foam inside, gives the players a broad-shouldered look.

Arm Pads − Light and flexible arm pads help the players to be bruise free

Elbow Pads − Protect and deforms the impact with its skin-tight webbing.

Rib pads − Absorb and distribute the shock through the rib pad specially designed to normalize players body temperatures and protects against injuries.

Hip & tailbone pads − Are put into the pouches of the belt worn under the pants.

Thigh & knee Pads − Quilted pads made of plastic and foam and are put into the pockets stitched inside the pants

Gloves − Hand gloves are not mandatory for the players but the thick padding linen helps to protect fingers and hands.

Cleats (footgear) − Players need perfect sole footwear with spikes called “cleats” below the sole designed specifically for games on the grass.

Jersey − A nylon material loose coloured shirt with coloured side panels are worn by all the players. Usually the players name and number are mentioned by his team colour.

Pants − A nylon mesh coloured pant with four individual pockets on the inner side of the pant to hold thigh & knee pads. Hip and tailbone pads with a safety belt to secure the pads is also provided.