The head shape is designed by Gary to make constant contact with rock rubble, chunk rock or gravel bottoms. The round face rolls the jig forward, flipping the skirt and trailer up as the head drags across hard bottom. You can usually position your boat right over a snagged football head, jiggle it and dislodge it due to the protective wireguard. However, a fish will easily depress the wireguard in its mouth, exposing the needle sharp point. It seems that airborne, head-shaking bass dislodge football jigs easily when they jump, but Gary custom designed the Gamakatsu hook in this jig to foil that ability for bass to shake loose the heavy football heads when they jump, and the wireguard also tends to help keep the hook from unbuttoning.
Football heads are also great for bottom-bouncing in flowing water.
The stable design of football jigs tumble less than other jig designs in current. Cast upcurrent about 45 degrees. Pay particular attention when the jig gets perpendicular to you. It does a 180 on the bottom as it begins to stem the flow. Bass will follow your jig as it glides downcurrent and belt you when the jig does the 180 and starts to stem the flow.