To measure your waist for football pants, you can follow these steps. Get a flexible measuring tape that can easily wrap around your waist. Locate your natural waistline, which is usually the narrowest part of your midsection. It is typically located just above your belly button. Stand in a relaxed position with your feet shoulder-width apart. Wrap the measuring tape around your waist, making sure it is parallel to the ground and snug but not too tight. Keep the tape measure at the same level as your natural waistline.