An American football is one of the simplest sports balls to draw because it is shaped like a pointed oval with laces on top. This step-by-step guide shows you how to draw an American football and add the white laces and stitching that make it instantly recognisable.

🖍️ What You Need

  • White paper
  • Pencil and eraser
  • Black marker or fine-liner
  • Brown colouring pencil or felt-tip
  • White paint pen or leave-white for the laces

How to Draw an American Football Step by Step

  1. Draw a long, horizontal oval that comes to a gentle point at each end — this is the football shape, called a prolate spheroid.
  2. Add a thin curved line near each pointed end for the white stripes.
  3. Draw a short straight line down the middle of the ball where the laces will sit.
  4. Add four or five small horizontal lines crossing that middle line — these are the laces.
  5. Draw a tiny stitched border around the lace panel.
  6. Trace over all your lines with a black marker.
  7. Rub out any leftover pencil marks.
  8. Colour the ball brown, leaving the laces and end-stripes white.
💡 Parikshet's Tip: Keep the oval symmetrical by lightly marking a centre dot first, then drawing each pointed end the same distance from it. A balanced shape looks much more like a real football.

🌟 Did You Know?

American footballs are not actually made of pigskin — they are made of cowhide leather! The nickname 'pigskin' comes from the very old days when balls were made from inflated pig bladders.

Other Easy Sports Balls to Draw

  • A basketball — a circle with curved seam lines.
  • A tennis ball — a circle with one wavy white curve.
  • A baseball — a circle with two red curved stitch lines.
  • A rugby ball — similar to a football but rounder at the ends.

🎯 Try This: Draw a Football Field

  1. Draw a long green rectangle for the pitch.
  2. Add white horizontal yard lines across it.
  3. Draw the H-shaped goal posts at each end.
  4. Place your football in the middle ready for kick-off.

How to Draw American Football: Step-by-Step for Kids

Get your pencil ready! Follow these easy steps and you'll have an amazing American Football drawing in no time.

What You'll Need

  • Pencil (HB or 2B)
  • Eraser
  • White drawing paper
  • Black marker (optional, for outlines)
  • Coloured pencils or crayons

Step-by-Step: Drawing a American Football

Step 1: Sketch the Basic Outline

Begin with a very light pencil sketch of the American Football's overall shape. What is the biggest, simplest shape that describes it — a rectangle, oval, or triangle?

Step 2: Add the Main Structure

Build on the basic outline by adding the main structural elements of the American Football. Break it down into simple geometric shapes.

Step 3: Draw the Key Features

Add the most important identifying features that make this recognisably a American Football. These are the details that someone would notice first.

Step 4: Add Secondary Details

Now add the secondary details — textures, patterns, smaller parts. These build up the drawing gradually and give it character.

Step 5: Refine the Outline

Go back to the outline and refine any shapes that don't look right. Compare the proportions to a reference image if you have one.

Step 6: Add Depth with Lines

Add shading lines or cross-hatching on the darker side of the American Football to create the impression of three dimensions.

Step 7: Trace with Marker

Once happy with your pencil drawing, carefully trace the final lines with a black marker or pen. Let it dry, then erase all pencil marks underneath.

Step 8: Colour Your Drawing

Apply colour to your American Football, working from the largest areas first. Leave white areas uncoloured — the paper's white works as your lightest tone.

Colouring Your American Football

Use real reference images as a guide for the American Football's colours. Start with a base colour and add darker shading on one side to give a 3D feel.

Tips from Parikshet

  • Break the American Football into simple shapes first — even complex subjects are just combinations of circles, rectangles, and triangles!
  • Don't try to make it perfect on the first try — Parikshet always does at least two practice sketches before the final drawing.
  • Practice makes perfect — try drawing it again tomorrow!