Oval.
An American football, a rugby football and an Aussie rules ball are all prolate spheroids (pointed ovals). A soccer ball is a sphere.
An American football, a Rugby football and an Aussie rules ball are all prolate spheroids (pointed ovals). A soccer ball is a sphere.
A ball has the shape known in mathematics as a sphere. (Unless it's an American football.)
The shape of the football was changed from the shape used in rugby to a prolate spheroid in 1897. Cllick on the 'History of the Football' link below to read about the evolution of the ball used in American football.
The football was round at first like an ball, but i don't know how it became the shape it is today! The ball used in American football was modeled after the rugby ball. Rugby originally used a round ball, but it gradually flattened out into an egg shape, which allowed for easier handling and carrying. The rugby ball was at this stage of development when American football came along. The modern rugby ball is still a little fatter than the modern football and more rounded at the ends to allow for good bounces on dropkicks. After the forward pass was legalized, the American ball gradually became skinnier and pointier at the ends. These design changes made the ball more aerodynamic and easier for the thrower to handle.
football
Rugby/American Football - Prolate Spheroid Association Football - Sphere Old style World Cup ball - Truncated Icosahedron
American football is called football because it evolved from a game that was played on foot, rather than on horseback. The term "football" originally referred to any game played on foot, as opposed to games played on horseback, like polo. The shape and size of the ball used in American football are not related to the name of the sport.
Eric Ball - American football - was born on 1966-07-01.
Michael Ball - American football - was born on 1964-08-05.
Jason Ball - American football - was born on 1979-03-21.
The ball used in Gaelic Football is round.