You may not be able to play football in the office or in the classroom, but you could probably do it with a paper triangle in a board game. In a minute you can prepare a ball at your desk, even if you don't have scissors. If you want to know how, follow these steps.
Steps
Step 1. Find a 21x29 cm sheet of paper
You can take a sheet of paper from a regular school notebook or use a sheet from the printer. These are ideal sizes for a football, but you can also use larger or smaller sheets as you like. Notebook or printer paper works better than thicker paper because it is easy to fold and is lighter, making it easier to play.
Use new paper so the ball will look prettier. This way you can also decorate the ball once finished, as you like
Step 2. Fold the paper in half lengthwise
Fold the right side over the left or vice versa. Make sure that the edges match, this way you have created a precise vertical crease in the center of the paper.
- Grab the crease between your thumb and forefinger and drag your fingers along its length to secure it.
- To make the fold even more firm, you can open the sheet and fold it backwards so you will have a well-defined line.
- Open the sheet after marking the fold.
Step 3. Cut or tear the sheet along the vertical fold
Use scissors or gently pull one corner of the paper down to tear the two halves along the line. You have created two strips of paper that are 29 cm long and 10.5 cm wide.
You need only one strip to make a ball. If you want, you can use the other strip for a second ball
Step 4. Fold a strip in half lengthwise
This has created a strip that is half as wide and twice as thick. Hold it vertically in front of you.
Step 5. Fold the lower left corner towards the opposite edge of the paper to form a triangle
The right side of the triangle should coincide with the right edge of the vertical strip of paper. The top side of the triangle is parallel to the top edge (the width) of the strip. This is essential to create a right triangle, with the right angle at the top right.
Step 6. Turn the triangle upwards
This creates another, thicker triangle.
Step 7. Continue folding the paper triangles until you reach the top of the paper strip
When you get good, you will be able to perfectly fold the entire strip into equal triangles.
Step 8. Open the last fold and make a triangle
After opening the last fold, close the upper corner towards the center to create a larger triangle formed by two right-angled triangles with one side in common. Don't worry if it won't be perfect, it takes some practice.
Step 9. Cut the right corner for about 2.5 cm
You can also tear the paper or even simply fold it, making sure you are able to slip it inside the ball.
Step 10. Insert the remaining part of the cut corner inside the pocket created with the first triangle
Step 11. Flatten the paper ball
Smooth it out and flatten it until you are satisfied. Now that it's ready you can become an American table football champion.
Step 12. Decorate the ball (optional)
If you want to give it a personal touch, use a marker or ballpoint pen to draw the stitching and other hallmarks of a football.
Step 13. Finished
Advice
- You can also make a thicker ball by folding the paper instead of tearing it. You can make a ball for each sheet of paper.
- You can also add 2-3 sheets of paper to make it thicker.
- You can repeat the process for a second ball so you will have two balls for each sheet using both halves.
- Try to cut instead of tearing the paper, this way the creases will be better and also the flips during the games.
- Don't throw the ball into other people's eyes.
