Have you ever wondered how different rugby vs. American Football? Let’s explore the basics.
Although both games may seem similar because of the ball and the field, in reality, they’re quite the opposite.
Rugby is played by approximately 8.5 million worldwide, while American Football has more than 5 million players in the U.S. alone.
I’ve been a fan of rugby and football for years, and the differences between them are huge. In this blog, we’ll explore the gap between these two big sports.
Brief History of Rugby vs. American Football
Rugby, as the name suggests, has its origins in Rugby School, England, and dates back a long way.
There’s this famous story about a student named William Webb Ellis.
Ellis picked up the ball during a soccer game and ran with it, breaking the usual way soccer was played at the time. People often quote this moment as the start of rugby.
American football also came later, in the late 1800s. It grew out of rugby. Walter Camp, the “Father of American Football,” slightly changed rugby rules to make it a new sport.
Camp introduced changes such as the line of scrimmage and the concept of downs. Since then, several changes have come into play, making American football much more systematized than rugby.
The Playing Field
Rugby fields are more extended and broader than those of American football.
Where we refer to it in rugby as a “pitch,” the same is true of a “gridiron” in American football.
The in-goal areas are longer in rugby than the end zones in American football.
Equipment: Pads vs. No Pads
Rugby players are tough as nails, and they wear very little protection.
They just wear a mouthguard, and a bit of light padding on the head or knees.
On the other hand, American football players are like armored tanks.
Among the things required for protection in American football are helmets and shoulder pads.
Gameplay: Non-Stop Action vs. Strategic Pauses
Rugby is one of those quick-moving, constant-play games where the clock doesn’t stop very often and neither does the action.
American football is organized around short, violent plays and a lot of stoppage.
The game has been described as a collection of miniature battles, elaborately strategized and choreographed.
Scoring: Attempt vs. Touchdown
You score a “try” in rugby by grounding the ball in the in-goal area.
The player players kick conversions from wherever they score the try.
On the other hand, in American football, one must carry or catch the ball in the end zone for a touchdown.
The football players always take extra points from the same place.
Passing: Backward vs. Forward
Rugby allows only backward passing.
You’ll need to either run or kick it if you want to move the ball forward,
In American Football, it is critical to pass forward.
The quarterback forward throws to ensure that the ball is transported down the field quickly, for one of the most exciting plays of the game.
Tackling: Wrap-Up vs. Take-Down
Rugby tackles are to be performed with arm wrapping.
No shoulder charges or high tackles.
American Football tackles can sometimes be more explosive.
They can knock down their opponents with the leverage of their body weight.
Versatility vs. Specialization of Player Positions
Rugby players have to be all-rounders.
Everybody attacks, everybody defends.
American football is a sport of specialization.
You have nominally separate teams for offense, defense, and memorable plays.
Global Appeal: World Stage vs. American Powerhouse
Rugby enjoys a strong international following, with the Rugby World Cup attracting fans from all over the world.
American football, on the other hand, dominates in the U.S., where the Super Bowl is treated like a national holiday.
While differences in rules and equipment between rugby and American football are notable, they only scratch the surface. For a deeper comparison, check out Part 2 of the article.
Leagues and Competitions of Rugby vs. American Football
Rugby also has several premier tournaments around the globe.
The yearly highlights include the Six Nations Championship in Europe and the Rugby Championship in the Southern Hemisphere.
The sport’s pinnacle event is the Rugby World Cup, held every four years.
American football is organized differently: the professional game in the United States of America focuses on the National Football League, while college football under the NCAA is top-rated and leads up to the College Football Playoff.
Game Tempo and Duration
A rugby match consists of two 40-minute halves per match with minimal stoppages.
The clock runs throughout, making rugby a fast, endurance-testing game.
American football games are divided into four quarters of 15 minutes each. With frequent stoppages, however, the game can last well over three hours.
This stop-start nature allows for a greater degree of strategic planning between plays.
Ball Possession and Turnovers
In rugby, possession of the ball is easily transferred. Tackled players are often forced to release the ball, setting up a continuous contest for it.
Conversely, American football’s possession rules could be more precise: a team that possesses the ball retains possession until it scores, commits a turnover, or fails to advance 10 yards after four downs.
Kicking: Skill vs. a Specialized Role
Kicking is an integral part of rugby gameplay. Players use different kicks to gain territory, score points, or even restart play.
Kicking in American football is a specialized activity. Most kicking is done by punters and placekickers, who usually come in only in certain situations.
Substitutions: Bounded versus Unbounded
Rugby is a contact game that allows limited substitutions, previously eight per match.
Once substituted, a player cannot come back into the field except to replace an injured player.
American football allows unlimited substitutions between plays, enabling teams to put different specialists on the field for offense, defense, and special teams.
Cultural Impact of Rugby vs. American Football
This has a powerful meaning in New Zealand, where the All Blacks practice it before every match.
It is also done in the UK, France, South Africa, and parts of the Pacific.
American football is deeply intertwined with American culture, from high school to the pro level.
The sport is one of the cornerstones of American sports culture.
From tailgating to Super Bowl parties, it’s a cultural phenomenon.
The Physique of the Players
Rugby players usually do general bodybuilding to focus on their fitness and stamina.
American football players have very different physical makeups depending on their position in the game: Linemen are normally wholly bigger than kickers and wide receivers.
Safety Concerns and Rule Changes
Rugby and American Football have been criticized for the safety of players, particularly for concussions. Rugby introduced tighter tackle laws, and American football changed some of its rules and improved its helmets.
Conclusion
One can trace a common origin for rugby and American football, but over time, these two games have become two different games: rugby, vested in continuity and universality, and American football, set upon strategic set pieces and predefined roles.
Rugby and American Football are exciting, require much skill, and enjoy impassioned followings. Whether you prefer non-stop action rugby or the strategic depth of American football, both games continue to captivate worldwide audiences. If you like this type of content, make sure to check and share our other recently published articles!