Usually played prior to a homecoming game, powderpuff football is an all-female football game. Both high school and collegiate powderpuff football games are played.
As a general rule, powderpuff football games raise funds through ticket sales. They are often held prior to a major event such as a college football game.
Funds raised from the game are often donated to charities or used to support school activities.
The Powderpuff Football games are non-contact and do not involve football equipment. The games will be played with flags or two-handed touch.
As a result, it is not uncommon for the women participating in these games to become aggressive. Many athletes that participate in powderpuff football games are competitive and truly care about winning.
Due to the large number of spectators, powderpuff football games are often taken quite seriously by the players.
In Powderpuff Football, Who Plays?
Most Powderpuff football games are played by students who attend the school hosting the event. However, how the students are matched up may vary from event to event.
Seniors vs Juniors
In powderpuff football, one of the most common matchups involves senior girls versus junior girls.
Before the game, both teams will spend time practicing and developing plays.
High school students will be able to watch the game as the two classes square off.
Townies vs Dormies
At Western State Colorado University, one of the oldest powderpuff football games was played in 1945.
As a result of the end of the war, athletic events such as homecoming were once again on the calendar.
The problem was that the men who had served in World War Two had not yet returned to school. Only four men had enrolled in the coming semester.
In order to ensure that there would still be some sporting event, the women of the university organized a game.
As a result, the women decided to divide their teams according to where they lived. The girls who lived in the dorms on campus would be on one team.
Another group would be the girls who lived off-campus in the town.
Blondes vs Brunnettes
In these football games, blondes and brunettes are often teamed up to form teams.
In schools, this is not a common practice, but has become increasingly popular as a charity event.
All across the United States, blondes and brunettes compete in charity football games to raise funds for Alzheimer’s research.
Where did the Name Powderpuff Come From?
Powderpuff football refers to the soft material used for the application of face powder.
Women have been playing these games for a long time, during a time when women were not as accepted as they are today.
The idea of women playing football was not widely accepted when this game was named, to the point where homecoming committees sought to have the game discontinued.
Fortunately, things have changed and most Americans are much more supportive of women’s sports.
It is likely that if the game were invented today, it would not have a name like powderpuff, but for now that is what it is called.
If you would like to learn more, please refer to our guides on senior night or learn about football tryouts.