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Post by scottbailey on Dec 13, 2012 11:35:19 GMT -6
The past 4 seasons we have used the Big Game 1906 composite football. This off season we are considering a change. The past couple weeks our kids have been experimenting with the ST5, GST and the Nike Laser Composite. They seem to like the Nike ball the best.
What ball do you use and why? We used the Big Game ball, even though it is not a leather ball, because the grip is the best I have ever seen. This year though the balls we ordered didn't have the same superior grip as in the past. That is why we are considering a change.
Thanks for your time,
Scott Bailey
Lamar HS
Lamar, Missouri
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Post by mholst40 on Dec 13, 2012 11:49:12 GMT -6
I have only ever used the Wilson GST and the Nike balls.
Our players and HC (former QB) like the GST waaaaaay better than the Nike balls.
But, Nike just redid their footballs and we haven't tested the new ones yet. We will this off-season. Unless the Nike ones are significantly better, we will continue using the GST due to its superior grip and ability to hold up through an entire season.
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Post by davishfc on Dec 13, 2012 11:49:33 GMT -6
Composite balls are not great when they get wet. No ball is but composite are among the worst in my opinion. Leather will soak some of the water up but composite is almost waterproof so the water will just sit on the surface. Not that you choose a ball because of rain game first but it certainly needs to be considered. We use Wilson GSTs because they are the best balls out there in my opinion. Tacky leather and sewn on stripes so they don't wear off. It's got composite stripes and laces so the benefit in dry weather is there but if it does get wet, most of the ball is leather so it's a great a ball to use in the rain. We use Rawlings ST5s in the post season because our governing body in Michigan has an exclusive contract with Rawlings for post season games in our state. Don't like them but we do what we need to. The kids used the GSTs over the summer and liked the football so much more compared to the ST5s they had used full time under the previous head coach. I talked with one of my assistants about possibly moving to ST5s full time because it's what we would have to use in the post season. My assistant coach responded, "we've got to get there first Coach. We should definitely use the best ball while we can." I was sold already, but that in addition to what the kids liked really influenced my decision. I would say don't allow your kids to be blinded by the swoosh. Just DON'T do it! LOL!  |
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Post by dsa0305 on Dec 13, 2012 12:05:20 GMT -6
All we use are the GST. I really like the sewn on stripes, which to me, gives the QB another "lace" if you will when throwing the ball quickly. The sewn on stripe also seems to help kids with smaller hands get a good grip when throwing it.
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Post by wingtol on Dec 13, 2012 12:57:36 GMT -6
Wilson GST, it's the official ball of our state association so it's used in the playoffs so we use it all the time. They even give us 2 free ones for each playoff game. I agree with dsa about the stripes and also the raised laces seem to feel better for most kids.
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Post by cqmiller on Dec 13, 2012 12:58:10 GMT -6
We have to use Wilson in playoffs so I bought the GST's. Why switch balls in the playoffs.
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Post by coachbw on Dec 13, 2012 13:06:23 GMT -6
We use a combination of Rawlings ST5 Composite and Leather. Our state requires GST for state playoffs, but we aren't going to have to worry about that for a while. We can get our game balls for about $25 if we are careful, and our QBs for some reason really didn't like the GST. At my past stop the quarterbacks really liked the Wilson TDS so we used that.
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Post by panthercoach10 on Dec 13, 2012 14:09:38 GMT -6
Anybody have any info on the foil/laser stamp that Wilson does on the GST ball? Price per ball, set up fee etc? Trying to get this done for our game balls next year.
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Post by olinecoach61 on Dec 13, 2012 17:58:31 GMT -6
We use the gst, it's simply the best ball I've found. I love the stitched laces
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Post by ogre5530 on Dec 14, 2012 10:30:25 GMT -6
Mainly Wilson GST, but we use Baden every now and then when we are a playoff caliber team. We are required to use Baden balls in the playoffs in Illinois. They are awful and so slippery...when it's cold they are a disaster to use!
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Post by groundchuck on Dec 14, 2012 10:38:22 GMT -6
In MN we have to use a Wilson ball in the playoffs. Thus we use one all season. We've used the GST and the TDS. We used the GST this year. Probably will again next year.
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Post by mholst40 on Dec 14, 2012 10:51:35 GMT -6
Our section makes us use GST's in the postseason. If you have the luxury of playing in the NorCal or SoCal Championships or the state championships, you then have to switch to a Nike ball...
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Post by kcbazooka on Dec 18, 2012 7:45:28 GMT -6
we have used rawlings st5 for years and are looking to change. will probably switch to wilson
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Post by coachkoenig on Dec 18, 2012 8:03:17 GMT -6
GST for us as well during games.
I will (try to) stock up on any and all good footballs for practice purposes, however.
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Post by fballcoachg on Dec 18, 2012 9:22:53 GMT -6
Nerf Vortex because John Elway threw it over 90 yards....
GST, players like them, we like them, and I think the state is going to all wilson balls.
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Post by scottbailey on Dec 18, 2012 10:34:05 GMT -6
Thanks for the response guys...
Here is what our skill players are telling me after throwing various different footballs the past couple weeks. They like the Nike vapor composite when its dry and they like the Wilson GST when its wet. Anybody else ever go into a season with the idea of using two different game balls depending on the weather?
Scott Bailey
Lamar HS
Lamar, Missouri
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Post by mariner42 on Dec 18, 2012 11:23:31 GMT -6
We have to use Rawlings in the playoffs, so we are stuck with them. It's a bummer because pretty much everyone I've known was all about the GSTs.
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Post by newhope on Dec 19, 2012 8:31:13 GMT -6
GST. We like it and it's the playoff ball. As for the question about the stamping, we have our logo on ours. Usually there is a deal so that if you buy them early and buy enough of them, they'll stamp them for free. Check with your dealer.
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Post by useitorloseit on Jan 10, 2013 14:41:41 GMT -6
Used the Wilson 1001 for years until the GST came out. Switched the first year it came out for the reasons listed above.
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Post by larrymoe on Jan 10, 2013 17:47:30 GMT -6
We have to use Baden in the playoffs so that's what we use.
Many in Illinois will bitch for hours about the football, but we've used one for every game and practice for every year I've been the HC here. Never had any issues besides the lace of the one we used last year started to break apart after week 10 last year. Three years, three balls. I think that's pretty good.
But, I'm a lineman so I don't really care what the ball looks like. As long as our QB can hand it off, I'll still use it.
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