American Football Ball Accessories and Care: Protect Your Investment

A quality leather American football — Wilson The Duke, GST or GST Prime — represents a real investment. Properly maintained, it can last through several full seasons of competition without losing its grip, feel or bounce. Poorly maintained, it degrades within a matter of weeks. This complete guide walks you through every essential accessory to get the most out of your ball.

Care Accessories for Leather Balls

Wilson Care Kit — The All-in-One Solution

The Wilson care kit is the absolute reference for preparing and maintaining a leather American football. As the official manufacturer of NFL balls since 1941, Wilson understands the specific needs of its leather balls better than anyone. A complete kit typically includes:

• Break-in brush: a stiff-bristle brush to work the surface of a new ball during the break-in process. Vigorous brushing opens the leather's pores and activates its natural tack properties.
• Wilson wax bar: applied after brushing, it nourishes the leather deep down, adding suppleness and protection against moisture and temperature swings. Wax is essentially a moisturising treatment for your ball's leather.
• Leather conditioner: a lighter treatment than wax, applied every 4 to 6 weeks to maintain leather suppleness and prevent cracking over time.
• Tack spray: a grip-restoring spray applied directly to the ball's surface and laces. Essential when the ball starts slipping after several seasons of use.

Why Breaking In a New Leather Ball Is Essential

A brand-new leather American football is firm, slightly slippery and requires a break-in period to reach its optimal performance level. This step is often overlooked by players who do not understand why their new ball does not feel like the game balls they have used before.

The break-in process involves:

1. Rubbing the ball vigorously between both hands for several minutes to warm and soften the leather
2. Using the Wilson brush to work the surface in every direction and open the leather's pores
3. Applying wax in a thin layer over the entire surface and allowing it to penetrate
4. Repeating this process during the first few training sessions

After 3 to 5 training sessions, a well broken-in leather ball develops an unmatched natural grip and feel. This is the advantage you will never find with a composite ball — and it is why demanding players remain loyal to leather.

Tack Spray — Restore Grip in Seconds

What Is Tack Spray?

Tack spray is an essential product in any serious American football player's kit. It is an adhesion spray applied directly to the ball's surface — primarily to the laces and leather panels — to immediately restore grip lost through wear.

When to Use Tack Spray

• When the ball starts slipping during passes or the center-quarterback snap
• Before a game in wet weather to maximise traction
• After several seasons of use to revive a well broken-in ball whose natural grip has faded
• For composite balls whose surface has gradually smoothed out with use

Is Tack Spray Allowed in Competition?

Tack spray is permitted in the vast majority of amateur and university American football competitions. Always check your regional federation's specific regulations — some official competitions impose restrictions on its use in matches.

Ball Pump and Pressure Gauge — Maintaining Correct Pressure

Why Ball Pressure Matters

American football ball pressure is regulated by NFL standards: between 12.5 and 13.5 PSI (approximately 0.86 to 0.93 bar) for an official ball. Incorrect pressure directly impacts:

• Bounce: an under-inflated ball bounces unpredictably and inconsistently
• Grip: an over-inflated ball is harder to hold and increases the risk of finger injuries on receptions
• Durability: a consistently under-inflated ball gradually deforms and ages prematurely

Standard Pump vs Needle Pump

For American footballs, always use a pump with a fine needle that inserts into the valve without damaging it. Universal ball pumps with an integrated pressure gauge are the most practical solution for checking and adjusting pressure in real time. Investing in a separate quality gauge is useful for clubs that need to quickly check multiple balls before a game.

Kicking Tee — The Essential Kicker Accessory

What Is a Kicking Tee For?

The kicking tee is the stand used by kickers and punters to position the ball for kickoffs and field goal attempts. In official NFL competition, the tee is only used for kickoffs — field goals and extra points are kicked from a hold by a human holder.

In training, the kicking tee allows kickers to work their striking technique independently, without needing a teammate to hold the ball. It is a fundamental accessory for any player developing their kicker or punter position.

Different Types of Kicking Tee

• 1-inch standard tee: the regulation format for kickoffs in official competition. Holds the ball exactly 1 inch from the ground for an optimal strike angle.
• 2-3 inch practice tee: taller format used in training for beginners or to work a specific strike angle.
• Field goal tee: format designed for solo place kicks, ideal for independent kicker training sessions.

Maintenance and Storage: Best Practices

After Every Training Session

• Wipe the ball with a clean, slightly damp cloth to remove dirt, sweat and surface residue
• Air dry at room temperature — never in direct sunlight or near a heat source
• Check the pressure if the ball feels less firm than usual

Every 4 to 6 Weeks

• Apply leather conditioner across the entire surface to nourish the material and prevent cracking
• Inspect the laces: damaged or frayed laces must be replaced immediately — they are essential for the quarterback's grip

Long-Term Storage

• Store your ball at room temperature, between 15 and 25°C
• Avoid damp locations (basement, unheated garage) that promote mould growth on leather
• Never leave a leather ball resting directly on concrete for extended periods — use a mesh bag or ball stand
• For storage over several months without use, slightly deflate the ball (10-15% below normal pressure) to protect the seams

Which Accessories Are Right for Which Ball?

Find our leather balls, composite balls and leisure NFL balls in our main American football balls category.

Why Buy Your Accessories at Sportland American?

• American football specialist: we know the products we sell and their real on-field uses
• Official Wilson and major brand products: accessories designed specifically for NFL balls, not generic products
• France-based stock: fast delivery across Europe with no customs fees
• Expert advice: our team can guide you to the right accessories for your ball and your use