Spalding Rookie Gear Composite Football

I cannot say enough great things about this "rookie gear" product line from Spaulding that they came out with recently. If Spaulding has hired some exercise physiologist and biomechanics (which I am one) to their product and design staff - THANK YOU! For parents out there with children 5-7 years old looking for entry level sporting goods balls (football, soccer and basketball), I cannot tell you how much these will go for your children's enjoyment, not to mention, to your kid's proper skill development. The football is pee wee size. My 7-yr old son can use the football now, but it's still a tick too big for his hands. I believe Spaulding makes a mini size too for kids under 6 or 7. Since the football is 25% lighter, he can throw the ball farther and faster which of course, he enjoys. Most importantly, he can throw it with proper mechanics. Since the ball is a little bigger and lighter, he has more confidence catching the ball too. I've read alot of youth flag football leagues are using these rookie gear footballs for their leagues so their kids get more enjoyment and performance in their games.We own the soccer ball too (size 3 only)......awesome product. Lighter so the boys can safely kick the ball with more control. They don't have to wildly swing their legs trying to kick the ball far. The soccer ball and basketball are more "dead" in their rebound action and feel. For this age, this is a good thing.....more control on the ball and lower and slower rebounding from the bounce. It really does help reduce the ball bouncing back as much back into your kid's face. You're going to have a tough time not getting your kids to not touch the soccer ball with their hands. The lighter ball allows them to catch the ball easier too - with more confidence. If you want to teach your kid to use their head, they will appreciate the lighter weight/softer soccer ball. My 7yr old son is now starting to use his chest to stop and control shots (he thinks it's neat to use more than his feet - but still forgets to put his arms up sometimes). The lighter ball and reduced rebound just makes this easier for him to execute. I think we'll get a standard size 3 soccer ball once my son reaches 8 years old next year.The Spaulding rookie gear basketball is the real gem in the product line. The lighter weight allows younger kids to get the ball up to the 8' basketball goal with better mechanics.....no more of this side-arm, throwing or heaving a heavier basketball up there to the rim. This only reinforces this aweful muscle memory that coaches have to spend years re-teaching once they reach 8-10 years old. Like the soccer ball, the basketball has a more "dead" action or feel to it. This is a good thing. These are shorter, younger kids using these products. They do not need a ball that rebounds as high and as fast as a normal basketball. They need to ball to rebound accordingly to their skill level (young kids need more reaction time) and height (lower). We got the colored striped basketball for my boys because (a) that's the one they wanted because it looks more fun, but (b) I can quickly identify it at the gym or park. If my son really wants to play organized basketball in a year or two, then we'll get him a regulation junior basketball. But, I'll be happy that he is learning proper mechanics in the mean time.Overall, the quality of the products are great. We've owned the basketball for several months and just received the soccer ball and football a week ago. Look, these rookie gear balls are for boys and girls from 5-8 yr old kids using these things. They are just not going to tear them up like older kids and adults would. I really think you're be very satisfied with these products - consider them like toddler cloths. You'll get about 3-4 years out of them. In my experience, the basketball is best for kids 6-9. The lighter weight soccer (size 3) is best for younger, say 4-7. The pee-wee size football is best for 7-9.

Seems like a fine football for the price. It is a little more like rubbery than I thought it would be. The rubbery feel is good for my young kids' grip though. I liked the model that was showing on the website, with the black swoosh, but that's not what showed up; the more traditional with the white end stripes is what we got. The tip also seems deformed a little bit, but I don't think it will affect the flight of the ball. One interesting thing about it, now that we've had it for a couple months, is that it doesn't gather dirt easily. We play with it mostly in the street, and you normally get that road grime on balls, but this has stayed really clean, maybe it's the rubber.

My 8 year old son and husband just finished playing with this football for the first time since receiving it for Christmas and couldn't say enough good things about it. My son (who has some minor fine motor problems) previously had less than encouraging experiences with other kid-sized footballs to the point where he had given up playing.This ball however has a nice grippy surface, is lightweight enough for him to throw well (which just encourages him to try again), has nice laces for throwing and is easy on the person catching the ball too. Five stars all around from us and thanks for making a ball that has my son participating again!

Great football for younger children. My 5yr. old can grip it and catch it easier than other footballs. Also the same football used in his flag football league.

I bought this for my five year-old son. I figured it would be a bit big for him to grip it with one hand, which it is. The lighter weight is great though as it's not too heavy for him to throw, catch, or kick.

light weight ball my 6yr old grandson throws farther with it then his leather game ball. softer then traditional ball, they seem more comfortable catching it

It was what I ordered and I was satisfied other than the ball being flat so you should buy an air pin with it also

Just received the football yesterday, arrived with air so it was ready to play. The grip on the ball is very good, and it does feel very light. Played catch with my 6 yr old for about an hour, he was still afraid of the ball but was throwing so much better since his hand could actually grip the ball.Excellent product, very happy with the purchase.

Here's what's not told: When you purchase this, what you actually get is a PEE WEE football designated for 8yrs and under. How am I suppose to give this to my 13 yr old?!