If you’re an ardent superbowl fan, you’ve probably seen an American football more times than you can count, flying across the field, being tucked under a player’s arm, or resting at the center before kickoff. It’s a simple object, but it’s very close to many of our hearts in the United States. This ball shows up everywhere during football season, especially when NFL teams are playing their biggest games. The official game ball, known as The Duke, has stayed almost the same for years, and that consistency is part of what makes it so iconic. That’s why I thought it would be fun to learn how to draw the football step by step.
Here’s an easy step by step tutorial that will help you create a simple and easy american football drawing:
Materials you will need:
- Crayons or color pencils for coloring
- A piece of paper
- An HB pencil
- A dust-free eraser
- A black sketch pen for outlines
Let’s get started!
Please note: In each step, the new parts of the drawing will be highlighted in orange, while everything you’ve already drawn will stay in black.
Step 1: Draw the main shape of the football
First, I draw a long oval that’s slightly tilted to one side. The ends should come to gentle points, not sharp spikes. Try to keep your lines smooth and light at first. If the shape looks a little uneven, that’s completely fine. You can always adjust it before tracing over it later.
Step 2: Add the stripes at the ends of the football
Now let’s draw two short curved lines near one pointed end of the oval. These lines should follow the curve of the football. Then you can repeat the same thing on the other side. Make sure the stripes aren’t too thick. They’re small details, but they help the ball look more realistic.
Step 3: Draw the center lace line
Right in the middle of the football, I add a short curved horizontal line. This is where the laces will sit. Keep it centered and not too long. It should feel balanced inside the oval shape. Across that middle line, you can draw 4 or 5 tiny short lines going the other direction. These are the stitches. Try to space them evenly
Color your football
Most footballs are brown, so I color the main shape with a warm brown shade. I leave the stripes and laces white. If you want, you can shade one side slightly darker to make it look round and solid. Now I go over the entire outline with a darker pencil or marker. I also darken the stripes and laces.
We’re all done
And that’s it—you’ve just learnt how to draw an american football. If you liked this tutorial, don’t forget to share it with your friends. I’ve attached a full step by step picture so you can save it and draw later at your own pace. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be able to draw it easily from memory. Happy drawing! Want to keep drawing? Explore more simple easy drawing tutorials here.
