Rugby and football are very famous all over the world. However, Football in the United States can be a little different from football all over the world.
Moreover, Rugby and football are very famous in the United States. As a sport, Both are very different from each other yet people are unable to differentiate between them.
But, they are very different from each other.
Key Takeaways
- Rugby is played worldwide, while NFL is primarily played in the United States.
- NFL players wear more protective gear than rugby players.
- Rugby matches consist of two 40-minute halves, while NFL games have four 15-minute quarters.
Rugby vs NFL
The difference between Rugby and NFL is that Rugby is a sport, while NFL stands for ‘National football league’ in the United States. Secondly, the time on the pitch is 80 minutes in rugby, while minutes on the field is 60 minutes in American football. Thirdly, 15 players are on the pitch in rugby, while 11 players are on the field in American football. Fourthly, the famous celebration dance in rugby is the swan dance. Meanwhile, the famous celebration dance is the touchdown dance in NFL. Lastly, the field of rugby is 120m long and 68m wide, while the field of American football is 110 m long and 48.8 m wide.
Rugby is a sport that is famous in America, Australia, England, and New Zealand. As for the pitch, the dimensions are 120m long and 68m long and the time on the pitch is 80 minutes.
Moreover, the total number of players on the pitch is 15 players. Additionally, the famous celebration for rugby is the swan dance.
NFL stands for ‘National Football League’ in the United States that plays American football. As for the field, the dimensions are 110m long and 48.8m long and the time on the field is 60 minutes.
Moreover, the total number of players on the pitch is 11 players. Additionally, the famous celebration for NFL is the touchdown dance.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Rugby | NFL |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Rugby is a sport. | NFL stands for ‘National football league’ in the United States that plays American football. |
| Duration | The time on the pitch is 80 minutes in rugby. | The time on the field is 60 minutes in American football. |
| Number of players | 15 players are on the pitch in rugby. | 11 players are on the field in American football. |
| Famous dance | The famous celebration dance in rugby is the swan dance. | The famous celebration dance is the touchdown dance in NFL. |
| Field dimension | The field of rugby is 120m long and 68m wide. | The field of American football is 110 m long and 48.8 m wide. |
What is Rugby?
Rugby is quite famous in America, Australia, England, and New Zealand. Rugby is defined as a sport that is very different from American football.
Although, it may seem similar to American football. However, it is similar as well as the same physicality, aggression, and running is involved.
Yet, the rules, players, pitch, and so on are very different among them. Additionally, it is considered that rugby is originated in England.
The significant difference can be the ball. Moving on, the ball of rugby is 27cm and heavier than American football.
And the ends are much rounder than that of American football. Another, the number of players on the pitch is 15, and the time on the pitch is 80 minutes.
Aside from that, the major distinction is the ball is carried behind the touchline and then placed down. That is known as to try.
And the rugby pitch is larger with 120m long and 68m wide dimensions. Additionally, there’s less protective equipment but some play with gum-shield.
Moreover, the rugby players need to tackle more than the American football players. Their physical contact is much more than the American football players.
Furthermore, the famous celebration for rugby is the swan dance.
What is NFL?
American football is quite famous in America, and Canada, especially in North America. NFL stands for ‘National Football League’ in the United States that plays American football.
Although it may seem similar to Rugby due to the same physicality, aggression and running are involved. Yet, the rules, players, field, and so on are very different among them.
Additionally, it is considered that American Football is originated in Canada.
The significant difference can be the ball. Moving on, the ball of American football is 28cm and lighter than Rugby.
And the ends are much pointed than that of Rugby. Another, the number of players on the pitch is 11, and the time on the pitch is 60 minutes.
Aside from that, the major distinction is the ball is carried behind the touchline and by kicking the ball behind the post. That is known as a touchdown.
And the American football field is shorter with 110m long and 48.8m wide dimensions. Additionally, there’s quite a number of protective equipment and protect themselves with large types of equipment, such as helmets, shoulder and chest pads, etc.
Moreover, American football players need to tackle less than rugby players. Their physical contact is quite less than the rugby players.
Furthermore, the famous celebration for American football is the touchdown dance.
Main Differences Between Rugby and NFL
Rugby and American football are very famous in America, however, they are very different from each other. Yet, they seem pretty similar to most people and they interchangeably use them. But, they have contrasting characteristics. Despite the fact, they are loved by other parts of the world as well, such as Australia, England, and New Zealand.
- Rugby is a sport, while NFL stands for ‘National football league’ in the United States that plays American football.
- The time on the pitch is 80 minutes in rugby, while minutes on the field is 60 minutes in American football.
- 15 players are on the pitch in rugby, while 11 players are on the field in American football.
- The famous celebration dance in rugby is the swan dance. Meanwhile, the famous celebration dance is the touchdown dance in NFL.
- The field of rugby is 120m long and 68m wide, while the field of American football is 110 m long and 48.8 m wide.
References
- https://pennstate.pure.elsevier.com/en/publications/the-nfl-critical-and-cultural-perspectives
- https://europepmc.org/article/med/6578423
Last Updated : 13 July, 2023
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
