Football Equipment

Footballs 

Companies such as Wilson, Franklin, Spalding, and Rawlings produce leather and synthetic leather footballs designed for players of different ages.

Football Helmets

Youth football helmets and adult football helmets from companies such as Riddell and Wilson come in a variety of sizes to fit different size heads.

To determine your head size, dampen your hair slightly to simulate sweat and measure the circumference of your head one inch above your eyebrows.

When shopping on eBay, narrow your search by using the size number as a keyword.

Football helmet air systems

Air system liners built into many football helmets can take more of a beating than foam padding. They also have more adjustment options for added comfort.

Football helmet padding

Foam pads in the back of your helmet support and protect your head. When they get worn down or discolored from sweat, replace them with new pads designed for your football helmet. Make sure they meet National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) standards for thickness.

Helmet chin straps

Chin straps keep the football helmet anchored to your head and protect your chin. If you prefer a different style, you can buy replacement straps. Just make sure the chin strap remains centered on your chin, holding your helmet firmly in place.

Face masks

Football helmets may come with or without a face mask. The position you play helps determine your protection needs. Also consider how a mask will affect your field of vision.

Shoulder Pads

Select the appropriate shoulder pads for your size and position. To determine your football shoulder pad size, follow these simple steps:

1. Stand up with your arms at your sides.
2. Have someone measure across your back from shoulder blade to shoulder blade.
3. Round up half an inch.

Typical sizes and back measurements include:

To get the proper fit for youth players, take chest size and weight into account. Sellers may list these measurements in their item listings.

Buy football shoulder pads by position

Aside from general sizing, purchase shoulder pads designed for athletes playing a specific position.

• Quarterbacks, place kickers, and punters: Consider lightweight shoulder pads that stay in place and don’t affect line of sight or head movement. Quarterbacks who do a lot of running may want protective pads designed for running or defensive backs.
• Backs and receivers: Look for lightweight pads that can take hits without restricting movement.
• Fullbacks, linebackers, and tight ends: Consider plated front pads that are more likely to stay in place after a hit.
• Linemen: Look for shoulder pads with few flaps for other players to grab and vinyl buckles that hold the pads in place.

Other Pads

In addition to shoulder pads, buy football pads to protect other areas of your body.

• Collar pads and neck rolls: Protect your collarbone with collar pads and a neck roll.
• Rib vests and rib protectors: Keep your rib cage and lungs out of harm's way by wearing a rib vest and rib protectors.
• Forearm pads: Linemen wear forearm pads to shield their arms and hands, which get pounded when blocking and tackling.
• Gloves: Linemen should buy heavily padded gloves to give their hands even more coverage. Receivers, running backs, and defensive backs should get flexible, soft gloves that have some tackiness.
• Hip pads and tailbone pads: Every player should protect their hips and tailbone. Buy a girdle to hold your hip pads and tailbone pads in place and make sure they match your uniform.
• Thigh pads: Place thigh pads in your football pants and take hits and tackles like the pros.
• Knee pads: Slide knee pads into the pockets of your football pants.

Please visit our sponsor for coaching football videos to find training videos from the experts.   

Please visit our sponsor for football instruction to find training videos from the experts.   

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