Leather -vs- Composite Footballs

B

barny75070

11-man fan
OK folks....Thought I understood what was correct/directed in regard to the use of Varsity Footballs, and now confused...I understood that recently an email went out from UIL stating that Leather balls must be used in Varsity competition...then heard that decision was overturned....

We asked our Regional Secretary from TASO, and was told that "Composite footballs are OK with the exception of those with large pebbles."....

We were told that the balls we have been using for the Composite balls we have been using (smaller pebbles) for the last 2 years were "illegal" even through they have the NFHS Certification....

What is the standard for TAPPS, TCAL, TCAF, TAIAO??? Seems to me at this point, even the folks charged w/ the rules don't know...
 
What's next shoe strings,the continuing adding regulation will eventually kill off the sport especially ridiculous rules............for every rule someone benefits $$$$ wise.......
 
Good Evening,

Composite balls are NOT allowed in TAPPS competition. I used them in JH football which is okay because TAPPS does not have governance over 6th-8th grade athletics in the private sector.

Not that you care but here is my opinion. I can not stand Composite balls!! Some UIL schools use them this year against us, and I ask the TASO officials to throw them out. They did, but I guess that is all the team had so I said okay let's just go with it. You can KICK those balls a MILE!!!!!!! I'm not fan, but forgive because I do use them ONLY at the JH level.
 
Spoke to Darryl Beasley of UIL, as well as an officer with the Waco Chapter for TASO, and both stated Composite Footballs have never been legal for varsity football. Only one brand of Composite is legal, and it must be marked Geniune Leather Comp.; which I haven't found one that does. They both said there's really no wiggle room and should be no confusion, as the rule is very specific. I never knew the rule, but have a rush order in from BSN for new Leather Footballs. Guess I'm learning something new every day and our PE department will be excited to receive all these packaged composite balls.
 
coachsatcher":3fpg8qfv said:
Spoke to Darryl Beasley of UIL, as well as an officer with the Waco Chapter for TASO, and both stated Composite Footballs have never been legal for varsity football. Only one brand of Composite is legal, and it must be marked Geniune Leather Comp.; which I haven't found one that does. They both said there's really no wiggle room and should be no confusion, as the rule is very specific. I never knew the rule, but have a rush order in from BSN for new Leather Footballs. Guess I'm learning something new every day and our PE department will be excited to receive all these packaged composite balls.
Click to expand...

Wow Coach. A thread on here caused that? I wonder if Coaches all over Texas are not looking for real leather footballs tonight. So much has changed in football over the years, most of it for the good of the game, I wonder if the ball itself should not stay original - leather.
I do remember the rubber football my grandparents gave me in the 60's. It bounced well off everything.
I learned to play "fumbles" with it, throw it on the ground and try to tackle (recover) it no matter where it went.
 
what rule set do those organizarions use? The UIl uses the NCAA football rules with additional modifications along with a sixman addendum. NCAA rules specifically state the ball must be made of leather and no additional modification to the rule have been made by the uil.
 
Even though not a direct dog in the fight lol, Coach Satcher was correct by contacting the keeper of his rules first verses the contracted administrators:)

peace, love yada yada yada
 
51eleven":2qtvda5a said:
coachsatcher":2qtvda5a said:
Spoke to Darryl Beasley of UIL, as well as an officer with the Waco Chapter for TASO, and both stated Composite Footballs have never been legal for varsity football. Only one brand of Composite is legal, and it must be marked Geniune Leather Comp.; which I haven't found one that does. They both said there's really no wiggle room and should be no confusion, as the rule is very specific. I never knew the rule, but have a rush order in from BSN for new Leather Footballs. Guess I'm learning something new every day and our PE department will be excited to receive all these packaged composite balls.
Click to expand...

Wow Coach. A thread on here caused that? I wonder if Coaches all over Texas are not looking for real leather footballs tonight. So much has changed in football over the years, most of it for the good of the game, I wonder if the ball itself should not stay original - leather.
I do remember the rubber football my grandparents gave me in the 60's. It bounced well off everything.
I learned to play "fumbles" with it, throw it on the ground and try to tackle (recover) it no matter where it went.
Click to expand...

Not the thread that did it for us. It was the three calls to our school asking if we were using composite balls, that caused the research. Not jeopardizing the boys season for my ignorance.
 
Old Bearkat":2x2pcw6l said:
Pig leather? Or cow leather?
Click to expand...

We're tying a balloon to the composite footballs, with a feather on the string, to represent our acknowledgement of all these rules. We won't release them, just let the elementary kids outside the fence play ball with them during the game.
 
I know that TAPPS requires schools to use leather footballs. I was under the assumption that the UIL had always required the use of leather footballs and didn't allow for the use of composites.

Learn something new on here everyday.
 
SECTION 3. The Ball
Specifications
ARTICLE 1. The ball shall meet the following specifications:
a. New or nearly new. (A nearly new ball is a ball that has not been altered and retains
the properties and qualities of a new ball.)
b. Cover consisting of four panels of pebble-grained leather without corrugations
other than seams.
Rule 1 / The Game, Field, Players and Equipment FR-19
c. One set of eight equally spaced lacings.
d. Natural tan color.
e. Two 1-inch white stripes that are three to three-and-one-quarter inches from the
end of the ball and located only on the two panels adjacent to the laces.
f. Conforms to maximum and minimum dimensions and shape indicated in the
accompanying diagram.
g. Inflated to the pressure of 12-1/2 to 13-1/2 pounds per square inch (psi).
h. Weight of 14 to 15 ounces.
i. The ball may not be altered. This includes the use of any ball-drying
or ballwarming substance. Mechanical ball-drying and ball-warming devices are not
permitted near the sidelines or in the team area.
j. Professional football league logos are prohibited.
k. Advertising is prohibited on the ball [Exceptions: (1) Ball manufacturer’s name or
logo, (2) institutional logo, (3) conference logo, and (4) AFCA logo].
Administration and Enforcement

ARTICLE 2. a. The game officials shall test and be sole judge of not more than six
balls offered for play by each team before and during the game. The game
officials may approve additional balls if warranted by conditions.
b. Home management shall provide a pressure pump and measuring device.
c. The home team is responsible for providing legal balls and should notify the
opponent of the ball to be used.
d. During the entire game, either team may use a new or nearly new ball of its choice
when it is in possession, providing the ball meets the required specifications and
has been measured and tested according to rule (Exception: The official NCAA
football shall be used for the Division I Football Championship Subdivision, II and
III championships).
e. The visiting team is responsible for providing the legal balls it wishes to use while
it is in possession if the balls provided by the home team are not acceptable.
FR-20 Rule 1 / The Game, Field, Players and Equipment
f. All balls to be used must be presented to the referee for testing at least 60 minutes
before the start of the game. Once the teams have presented the game balls to the
referee, they remain under the general supervision of the officials throughout the
game.
g. When the ball becomes dead in a side zone, is unfit for play, is subject to
measurement in a side zone or is inaccessible, a replacement ball shall be obtained
from a ball person (A.R. 1-3-2-I).
h. The referee or umpire shall determine the legality of each ball before it is put in
play.
i. The following procedures shall be used when measuring a ball:
1. All measurements shall be made after the ball is legally inflated.
2. The long circumference shall be measured around the ends of the ball but not
over the laces.
3. The long diameter shall be measured with calipers from end to end but not in
the nose indentation.
4. The short circumference shall be measured around the ball, over the valve and
over the lace but not over the cross lace.
Marking Balls
ARTICLE 3. Marking a ball indicating a preference for any player or any situation is
prohibited.
PENALTY—Live-ball foul. 15 yards from the previous spot [S27].

UIL exceptions to the NCAA rules
12. 1-3-1-j & k
j. Professional football league logos are prohibited.
k. Advertising is prohibited on the ball [Exceptions: (1) Ball manufacturer’s name or logo, (2) institutional logo,
(3) conference logo, and (4) AFCA logo].
EXCEPTION: 1-3-1-j & k Do not apply to UIL games.

13. 1-3-2-a. The game officials shall test and be sole judge of not more than six balls offered for play by each
team before and during the game. The game officials may approve additional balls if warranted by conditions.
EXCEPTION: 1-3-2-a. Add to the end of the first sentence: NOTE: It is mandatory that at least one
ball be offered for play. It is recommended that each team offer at least two balls for play.

14. 1-3-2-g. When the ball becomes dead in a side zone, is unfit for play, is subject to measurement in a side zone or
is inaccessible, a replacement ball shall be obtained from a ball person (A.R. 1-3-2-I).
EXCEPTION: 1-3-2-g. Add: “If balls are available and ball persons are being used.”
 
A contract with Baden is in place- takes us back to my comment someone will always benefit.
But with that aside good info. put forth as many didn't know of such a rule......
 

Similar threads

5
Leather VS Composite Football Helmet's
Replies
2
Views
1K
smokeyjoe53
smokeyjoe53
Back
Top