Wilson GST Prime Official Size NCAA BLEM Football

We've seen a lot of change throughout the last 15 year in the game of football, but the ball has remained the same. Until now. The rise in up-tempo offenses like RPO means every millisecond the ball spends in a QB’s hands counts. Gone are the days where one-trick-pony QBs could take their sweet time finding the laces before throwing the ball—today’s game means players have to be able to grab it and go. Flag football and 7v7 have also grown in popularity, creating a diverse pool of QBs who need a more versatile skill set than ever before. Wilson LABS set out to create a ball with that same versatility—a ball that is optimized for every QB regardless of their hand size or where they grip the ball.

Getting a Grip

The Wilson LABS team hit the field with hundreds of quarterbacks and studied how each one held and threw the ball. They marked each player’s finger placement on the ball and utilized pressure sensors to determine the “hot zones” where more grip points would be especially helpful.

EXTREME GRIP DESIGNS

The team knew it was against regulation to put anything on the bottom two panels of the ball, so they had to get creative. Leveraging the grip zone data they collected from QBs and using a variety of different materials, cutting patterns, and burning techniques, they designed a variety of new stitch patterns to maximize grip interaction. Each iteration got them one step closer to creating an optimal throwing experience.

THE SECRET'S IN THE STITCHING

Ultimately, the team decided to add significantly more grip points with double lace reinforcement and extra stitching near both the nose of the ball and where the middle finger rests. The added stitches make the ball easier to grab by providing a ccessible grip points for any QB’s hand.

IF WE PROVIDE JUST ONE MORE GRIP POINT TO A QB,THAT’S A WIN

– DREW TRYNER, WILSON INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER

PREPPING THE BALL FOR BATTLE

From our conversations with equipment managers, we learned that ball prepping is tricky and time-consuming at best, and a total mystery at worst. Most players feel they get the best performance out of a ball once it is broken in, but because break-in time varies based on many external factors (like weather, altitude, moisture, etc.), it’s often hard to tell when the leather has reached its peak.

From our conversations with equipment managers, we learned that ball prepping is tricky and time-consuming at best, and a total mystery at worst. Most players feel they get the best performance out of a ball once it is broken in, but because break-in time varies based on many external factors (like weather, altitude, moisture, etc.), it’s often hard to tell when the leather has reached its peak.

GAME PREPPED

Luckily, at Wilson we know a thing or two about leather. So to help players and EMs know when a ball is battle-ready, the team created a prep gauge on the leather that fades once the ball’s natural tack is optimal. This color-changing technology means a player can know their ball is broken in just from looking at it. By eliminating the guesswork, players can be sure they’re always getting the best possible grip and handling from their ball.

INDEX FINGER STITCH

Stitch line gives QB better feel and ‘flick’ when releasing the ball

MIDDLE FINGER STITCH

Provides better ball security and leverage while handling / throwing

2X LACE REINFORCER

Double stitched lace reinforcer increases grip interaction of ring and pinky fingers, which are critical to QB ball security

ACL LACE

The preferred lace of High School / College

SEWN ON STRIPE

Composite stripe increases grip and durability

PREP GAUGE

Lets QBs / Coaches / Equipment Managers know when their ball is ready for gameplay

HIGH VISIBILITY FOIL

Customizable foil accents increase visibility for more game-changing catches

• Minor Cosmetic Blemishes: May have minor flaw in graphics or stitching, the ends at the nose may not align perfectly. Even with the imperfections, they are great balls for team practices & for kickers, punters and QB's

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