Rugby and American football are two sports that often get confused by people who are not familiar with them. Both involve an oval-shaped ball, physical contact, running and two teams trying to move the ball towards the opponent's scoring area. However, despite these similarities, rugby and American football are actually very different games.
They developed from related forms of football, but over time they adopted completely different rules and playing styles. Rugby became a sport based heavily on continuous play, teamwork and possession, while American football developed into a highly structured game built around individual plays, specialised positions and carefully planned tactics.
So, what exactly separates rugby from American football?
Different Origins
Rugby originated in England during the nineteenth century. The sport is traditionally associated with Rugby School, where William Webb Ellis is said to have picked up the ball during a football match in 1823 and run towards the opposition's goal.
Although the famous Webb Ellis story is disputed by historians, rugby certainly developed in England during this period before spreading throughout Britain and eventually around the world.
American football developed later in the United States. During the nineteenth century, American universities played different versions of football influenced by both rugby and association football, commonly known as soccer in the United States.
The American game gradually developed its own rules, particularly through the work of Walter Camp, who is often regarded as one of the most important figures in the development of modern American football.
Today, rugby and American football have their own identities, traditions and cultures despite sharing some historical roots.
The Biggest Difference: How the Games Flow
One of the easiest ways to understand the difference between the two sports is to watch how the action develops.
Rugby is largely continuous. After a tackle, the ball remains in play and the attacking team can continue trying to move forward. Players can pass backwards or sideways, run with the ball, kick it and compete for possession.
This means that rugby players have to constantly react to what is happening around them. A situation can change in a matter of seconds, and players often have to make decisions without knowing exactly what will happen next.
American football is much more structured. The game is divided into individual plays. After a play ends, the teams stop, regroup and prepare for the next one.
The attacking team has four downs to advance at least ten yards. If they succeed, they receive another set of four downs. If they fail, possession normally changes hands.
This stop-start nature allows American football coaches to design very specific plays. Players have detailed assignments and often know exactly what they are supposed to do before the ball is snapped.
Passing the Ball
The rules surrounding passing are another major difference.
In rugby, players cannot throw the ball forwards. Passes must travel sideways or backwards. To move the ball forwards through the air, players generally have to kick it.
This rule encourages rugby teams to work together and create space. A player carrying the ball may run forwards while passing to a teammate positioned behind them, allowing the team as a whole to continue advancing.
American football is completely different in this respect. Forward passes are one of the central elements of the sport.
The quarterback can throw the ball forwards to eligible receivers, sometimes covering a huge distance in a single play. This creates spectacular passing plays that are almost impossible to replicate in rugby.
Tackling and Physical Contact
Both sports are extremely physical, but the way contact is used is different.
In rugby, tackling is part of almost every match. A player carrying the ball can be tackled, after which teammates and opponents compete for possession. The game then continues through situations such as rucks and mauls.
Rugby players generally wear relatively little protective equipment.
