To make a paper football, also known as a "paper flick football" or "finger football," you'll need a piece of paper and a flat surface to work on. Here are the steps to make one:
1. **Start with a Square Piece of Paper**: Use a standard sheet of printer paper or any other square piece of paper. If you're starting with a rectangular piece of paper, fold one corner diagonally to create a square, then trim off the excess paper along the edge.
2. **Fold the Paper in Half Horizontally**: Fold the paper in half horizontally, bringing the top edge down to meet the bottom edge. Crease the fold well and then unfold the paper.
3. **Fold the Paper in Half Vertically**: Fold the paper in half vertically, bringing the left edge over to meet the right edge. Crease the fold well and then unfold the paper.
4. **Fold the Corners to the Center**: Take one of the corners at the top of the paper and fold it diagonally inward towards the center of the paper, lining it up with the vertical center crease. Repeat this step with the other corner at the top of the paper.
5. **Fold the Bottom Edge Up**: Flip the paper over and fold the bottom edge up, aligning it with the horizontal center crease. This creates a triangle shape at the bottom of the paper.
6. **Fold the Bottom Edges Inward**: Fold the two bottom corners diagonally inward towards the center crease, creating a tapered shape at the bottom of the paper.
7. **Fold the Triangle Upward**: Flip the paper back over and fold the tapered triangle upward along the horizontal center crease. This creates a pocket or pouch at the bottom of the paper football.
8. **Tuck the Triangular Flaps into the Pocket**: Tuck the triangular flaps into the pocket to secure the shape of the paper football. Make sure the flaps are tucked in securely to prevent them from unfolding.
9. **Shape and Adjust**: Use your fingers to shape and adjust the paper football as needed. You can flatten it slightly and crease the edges to make it more stable for flicking.
10. **Play!**: Now that you've made your paper football, you can use your fingers to flick it across a flat surface, aiming to score goals by flicking it through your opponent's goalposts (made by forming a "U" shape with your fingers).
Once you've mastered the basic paper football, you can experiment with different techniques for flicking and scoring goals, or even customize your paper football with designs or decorations. Enjoy playing!