Powderpuff (sports)

Powderpuff (sports)

Powderpuff is a reference to the division of a traditionally male sport reserved for females regardless of the age of the participants.

Powderpuff football games are an annual tradition at many high schools and universities in the United States and Canada. The game usually puts girls from the junior class against girls in the senior class or cross-town school rivals in a flag football or touch football contest. Boys from the classes, usually athletes, will be the cheerleaders. Funds from the ticket and concession sales for the game typically go to charity, the senior class, or to a dance afterwards.

The term originates from the powderpuff used in cosmetics for powdering. Typical female behavior at the time and in the place the term originated included repeatedly taking out a powderpuff and a small mirror to powder themselves in public. Many schools will create T-shirts that will be worn at different times in the school year. The games usually occur before homecoming.