Melanie Cheesman
Jamie Larkin
ENG 1003
19 September 2018
Football vs. Rugby
Each country has certain sports that are extremely popular to watch and play. America is known for having some of the best sports teams, including baseball, football, basketball, ice hockey, soccer, and softball (“Sports in the United States.”). However, there are sports that are played in other countries that are very similar to America’s sports. Many football fans don’t realize that rugby is very similar to one of America’s favorite sports.
Similarities between the two sports vary in measures, For example, a football field is measured at 100 yards, and a rugby field is measured at 100 meters. The fields are also both marked with numbers that indicate 10 yards or meters. The point scale is also similar between the two. In football, touchdowns are counted as six points, and a touchdown or “try” in rugby is counted as five (“Rugby Union Bonus Points System.”). However, both sports have a chance to score more points after an initial touchdown known as a field goal. In football and rugby, field goals are counted as three points each. Measures between the two sports are fairly similar (Shireley).
The concept of these sports are also very similar. Just like in football, rugby players are attempting to pass or run the ball down the field to score. Once the players get down the field, they score a touchdown or “try” to earn their team points. The team with the most points at the end of the game is the winner of the match. Both teams have a set number of certain things that they must do while in possession of the ball before it is turned over. American football has four chances to go ten yards that are known as downs. Rugby has a rule similar to this called the six-tackle rule; this rule states that after a team has been tackled six times, the possession of the ball is turned over to the other team. Concepts for these sports reflect each other in different ways (“Comparison of American Football and Rugby League.”).
There are multiple ways that the possession can be changed other than running out of downs or the six-tackle rule. Interceptions are when a player from a team attempts to pass the ball and the opposing team catches it instead. Therefore, interceptions are a way to reverse the possession in both games. Both sports also have the opportunity to score more points by scoring a field goal; if the offensive team misses, the goal then the defensive team has automatic possession of the ball. As you can see, there are many similarities between rugby and football when it comes to possession changes (“Comparison of American Football and Rugby League.”) .
Both sports are considered physical and intense, but they are also popular. A player must have speed, power, and endurance to participate in the two. There is a numerous amount of people who decide to play either football or rugby. The ball for the two sports are both a prolate spheroid that is thrown or kicked to score points. Countries even have their own league for these sports, and they also have players who are famous because of their ability to play. In England, thousands of people play rugby while even more thousands of people enjoy watching it. In America it’s one of the most popular things to play or watch. Fans spend hundreds of dollars to watch from the sidelines, and others get together to throw huge parties to watch two rivals go head to head on the gridiron. The popularity of these sports in different countries is astounding (“Comparison of American Football and Rugby League.”).
Along with similarities comes differences. There are a couple differences between American football and rugby. Differences range from the number of players to the way a touchdown or try is scored.
A big difference between football and rugby is the number of players and their positions. In American football, there are 11 players that are on the field at once. There is an offense and a defense; there are also typically 11 different players for each. However, there are some players that play both. In rugby, there are 15 players on the field. If an athlete gets injured on the rugby field, the team must play short-handed. Therefore, a team is consisted of the amount of players allowed on the field (“Rugby.”). The positions in rugby are more along the lines of American soccer than American football.
Although there are similarities when it comes to advancing the ball, there are also a few differences. In football, each player has a specific position that keeps the person from doing certain actions. In rugby, the positions make it to where any player can kick, tackle, run, and pass. For example, the quarterback in football is the main person to pass, and there is a designated kicker to punt and score field goals. Passing in football and rugby differ greatly. It is considered to be illegal to pass forwards in rugby. The player must get the ball down the field by sideways passes. Football allows forwards, sideways, and backwards (lateral) passes. Both sports have an action, known as rushing, that is used to score. Rushing is simply running the ball without getting tackled to score (“Comparison of American Football and Rugby League.”).
Tackling is a big part of both of these sports. Football players have a set of pads and helmets that are required in every game. Safety gear worn by football players include a mouth guard, helmet, neck collar, {thigh, knee, shoulder, and hip} pads, cleats, and gloves (JulieD). Meanwhile, rugby players typically only wear cleats and a mouth guard. Most forwards in rugby wear a scrum cap to protect their ears and sides of their face while playing (Shireley). Tackling is the primary way to stop rushing and the gaining of yards (“Rugby.”). It is popular in rugby to pass out of a tackle to keep the possession from switching and to help keep the ball alive. Passing out of a tackle is more difficult in football. A block is when a player uses their body to block a pass or a kick. Blocks are permitted in football, but they are illegal in rugby. There are some restrictions in football, but they are still allowed. However, players that are not in possession of the ball can interfere with each other. Rugby has different rules when it comes to tackling and blocking than football does.
The team that scores the most points is the winner of the game. The primary way to score in both sports is to get the ball to the designated end of the field. Football players are only expected to run into the end zone of a football field for it to count. Rugby players must set the ball on the ground behind the goal line for it to count as a try. Following that action, players get an opportunity to score more points to help them stay ahead (“Rugby.”). Football has two common actions: a field goal or two point conversion. There is a designated kicker that kicks the ball through the goalposts. Two points conversions are scored when basically scoring another touchdown except the offensive line starts on the goal line. Rugby has similar rules to this; however, the ball is drop kicked by the designated kicker through the goalposts.
Every country has their own specific sports that are popular to play and watch. Some are more popular than others. However, there are sports that are played in other countries that are closely similar to another country’s sports. Many football fans don’t realize that rugby is very similar to one of America’s favorite sports. Although there are differences, there are also many things that make the two similar.
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