The shape of any object will change how far it flies through the air. This is because the air pushes on the object and slows it down. If you've ever had the wind in your face, tried walking on a windy day, or tried riding your bike, you'll know that air pushes against you and slows you down. The bigger an object is, the more the air will slow it down, because the object has to push the air out of its way. This drag caused by air is very important for all flight, and engineers spend a lot of time optimizing the flow of air around planes and cars.

Even the way the football affects how it flies. Any professional football player will throw a football with the pointy end first, and puts a spin on it. These actions keep the long axis of the ball in the direction of flight, which minimizes the amount of air resistance and maximizes the distance the ball will travel. If you've ever tried to throw a football without spin, or if you've ever tried to throw it without the pointy end forward, you'll realize the ball doesn't fly far, and it doesn't fly straight.