What are the differences between Rugby vs American Football? Let’s dive into what makes these two sports unique!? Both sports are similar because they’re physical games where the goal is to score as many points as possible to win. But some important differences make playing and watching them very different. Plus, learning the words used in these sports can be helpful – not just on the field, but even at work!
From team size and equipment to which sport is more dangerous, here are some things that set rugby and American football apart.
Where Did These Sports Come from?
Rugby started in 1823 in England, thanks to a student named William Webb Ellis from Rugby College. There’s a story that says William made up rugby when he picked up a ball during a soccer game and ran with it to score a goal. Because of this, the Rugby World Cup trophy is named after him.
American football was created in the United States a few decades later. It started around 1860 when British settlers brought rugby and soccer to America. A man named Gerrit Smith Miller thought it would be fun to mix both sports.
By 1870, colleges in North America were already playing the game. Then, in 1920, the American Professional Football Association was created, which later became the NFL (National Football League).
The Equipment and the Field
If you’ve seen either sport on TV, you’ve probably noticed how different the players look. In American football, players wear helmets, shoulder pads, chest pads, leg pads, and a mouthguard. It’s like wearing armour! But in rugby, players usually only wear a mouthguard and their kit.
The rugby ball is a little smaller than an American football, but it’s rounder in the middle. The fields are also different. American football fields are about 10 meters shorter and 20 meters narrower than rugby fields.
The Rules
One big difference is the number of players. A rugby team has 15 players on the field, while an American football team has just 11. Rugby games are also longer, lasting 80 minutes with two 40-minute halves, while American football lasts 60 minutes with four quarters.
In rugby, you can’t throw the ball forward with your hands, but in American football, you can pass the ball forward once per play. Both sports let players kick the ball.
The goal in both sports is to score as many points as possible. In American football, players try to score touchdowns by carrying the ball across the opponent’s line. In rugby, players score a “try” (like a touchdown) by touching the ball down over the opponent’s line. Both sports also allow players to kick goals.
Which Is More Dangerous, Rugby or American Football?
It’s hard to say which sport is more dangerous. Rugby has more injuries overall, and players often get cuts or bruises, but these are usually not too serious. American football has more serious injuries, like concussions, because players wear heavy pads and hit harder.
So, rugby might be a little safer, but both sports can be risky. If you want to play a safer sport, you might want to try table tennis!
Did American Football Evolve from Rugby?
Surprisingly, American football didn’t come from rugby. Both sports started from an old game played in the UK in the 1800s, but they developed into separate sports. The first American football game was played in 1869, while rugby started in 1845 in England.
What Is Bigger, American Football or Rugby?
Rugby is bigger worldwide. American football is mostly played in the US, where it’s really popular and makes a lot of money. It’s also played in Canada. Rugby is played in over 100 countries, like the UK, Ireland, France, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
In the US, American football is a huge part of the culture, with big parties and huge halftime shows at the Super Bowl. Both sports are popular with college students in the US and UK.
Are Rugby and American Football the Same?
Even though rugby and American football have some things in common, there are big differences in the number of players, field size, equipment, and rules. Whether rugby is better than American football depends on what you like to watch, but rugby is becoming more popular.
Conclusion: Rugby vs. American Football
Rugby and American football are both physical games where the goal is to score as many points as possible, but they are very different in many ways. The teams, the equipment, and the rules are all unique to each sport. Rugby is played all around the world, while American football is mostly played in the US.
Both sports are exciting to watch and play, but whether you like rugby or American football more depends on what you enjoy. Now that you know more about both sports, you can see what makes each one special!
In the end, whether you choose Rugby vs American Football, both sports offer exciting gameplay and distinct experiences for players and fans alike.
