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Why are rugby balls shaped the way they are?

29 Jul 2009

29 Jul, 2009  Rugby Equipment

Why not round?

But why the oval shape?

In the early days, rugby balls were made using inflated pigs’ bladders and so took on a similar shape. Really, they were more of a plum shape to begin with. Much larger and rounder than they are today.

Some people believe the more elongated shape developed because it was more suited to a game like rugby that involved running with the ball as well as kicking it.

There is more info here http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/rugby_union/features/newsid_3733000/3733304.stm

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8 Responses

  1. 1 Gem
    2009 Jul 14

    good question lol. easier to throw maybe?
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  2. 2 ernie.e
    2009 Jul 14

    If they were round then they would be called footballs.Rugby was invented by accident when a player picked the ball up and ran with it.
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  3. 3 anthony960369
    2009 Jul 14

    its purely to make it harder for us fullbacks to catch if it bounces, its more of a spite thing from the rfu.
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  4. 4 WHO am i?
    2009 Jul 14

    its a man thing..
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  5. 5 cornershop
    2009 Jul 14

    Originally played with a sheep or pig’s bladder the then football covered in leather stretched with play and moisture from wet weather elongating it, thus was born the oval shape and the game of rugby, as the players used to pass it by hand rather than just kick it to each other.
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  6. 6 Babie_grindaz
    2009 Jul 14

    its more streamline so the ball moves faster
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  7. 7 ledzeppelinben
    2009 Jul 14

    As an earlier answer said we backline players like to think it’s to create difficulties for us wings and full backs.

    Obviously thats not the real reason.
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  8. 8 Mastah
    2009 Jul 14

    Hmmm, good question. Why is grass green?…..
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