Two Young Blonde Girls With The Football Ball On The Lawn

- either with rounded ends: used in the rugby codes and Australian football
- or with more pointed ends: used in American football and Canadian football
The precise shape and construction of footballs is typically specified as part of the rules and regulations..
The oldest football still in existence, which is thought to have been made circa 1540, was discovered in the roof of Stirling Castle, Scotland, in 1981. The ball is made of leather (possibly from a deer) and a pig's bladder. It has a diameter of between 14–16 cm (5.5–6.3 in), weighs 125 g (4.4 oz) and is currently on display at the Smith Art Gallery and Museum in Stirling.