FOOTBALL.--Official footballs are "laced" balls; that is, they consist of a rubber bladder, which is inflated and inserted in a leather casing which is then laced firmly to close the opening. Two shapes of balls--round, and so-called "oval"--are official for different organizations. The round ball is prescribed for the "Association" games (American Football Association) and for Soccer, the circumference of the ball to be not less than 27 inches, nor more than 28. The prolate spheroid ("oval") ball is prescribed by the Intercollegiate and Rugby Associations of America, diameters about 9-1/4 × 6-1/4 in. The cost of best quality balls of both shapes is $5, and from that down to $1. Cheaper balls may be had (to substitute for any laced leather balls) made of sealed rubber, or to be inflated like a water polo ball, some incased in duck, others without casing.
GAS BALL.--A gas ball is a sealed rubber ball filled with gas and very light in weight, generally used by little children. These are extremely useful for the schoolroom, where it is desirable to avoid damage from the hitting of objects by a hard ball, and where it facilitates play to keep the ball in the air, as it is difficult to locate balls that roll on the floor. Gas balls measure from 4 to 6 inches in diameter, and cost from ten to forty cents each.
GOLF BALL.--Golf balls are made of gutta percha, painted white. The interior construction varies. The surface is made uneven with lines, dots, or dimples, to give greater buoyancy to the strokes. Size, about 1-5/8 inches in diameter. Cost, from $2 to $9 per dozen.
HANDBALL.--The term "handball" is generally used to designate any ball that can be caught easily in one hand, as distinguished from larger balls, such as basket, foot, and volley balls. Technically, the term "handball" applies to the balls used in the game of Handball.
In selecting a ball for general games, including Handball Drills as herein given, it is desirable to have one slightly larger than for the official game and to get one with considerable resiliency; that is, a ball that will rebound from a hard floor to a height of about 3 feet when dropped from a height of about 6 feet. A good ball for this purpose will measure about 2-1/4 inches in diameter and weigh 2-1/2 ounces. They are of hollow rubber, sealed. Such balls will cost about $5 per dozen. For children's play of course cheaper balls can be had.