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American Football. Photo by Ryan Reinoso on

Rugby Vs Football: The Difference Between Rugby And American Football

American football and rugby are two well-known contact sports that have some similarities but also a number of significant distinctions. There are significant distinctions between the two games in terms of the regulations, gear, and style of play even though both include physical contact and call for players to be proficient in a number of different areas.

While there are some general parallels between rugby and American football, there are also a number of significant variances in terms of the regulations, gear, and playing style. Whether you like American football’s tactical complexity or rugby’s fast-paced action, both games provide a thrilling and distinct experience for both players and spectators.

1.  Rugby Balls Are Oval-shaped, While American Footballs Are More Pointed And Have Laces

Rugby Ball. Photo by Edgar Pimenta on

The ball’s shape is one of the primary distinctions between rugby and American football. American footballs are more pointed and have laces, but rugby balls are oval and don’t. The amount of players on each team makes another significant distinction. Each rugby squad consists of 15, but American football teams only have 11 players on the field at once.

An American football is shorter than a rugby ball, which is also wider and rounder. As a result, although still not as predictable as a soccer ball, its bounce is also slightly more predictable. Rugby fields, unlike the gridiron, are not technically standardized, hence their width and length may vary slightly depending on the venue and particular rules.

2. Rugby Games Are More Continuous With No Breaks

American Football Game. Photo by Ashton Clark on

The two sports also have different rules. Whereas American football is more stop-start in nature with numerous  pauses for timeouts, penalties, and substitutes, rugby includes continuous play with no breaks. Rugby players are often expected to be adept at both attacking and defensive play, with fewer defined positions than in American football.

3. Unlike American Football Players, Rugby Players Do Not Wear Helmets

American rugby players with helmets. Photo by Muyuan Ma on

Protection is a key factor when differentiating between the two games. Despite being a physically invilving game, rugby itself does not expose players to alot of risks. It therefore follows that the players will not have to wear helmets or pads, so their equipment is less protective than that of American football players. Having said this, American Football is said to expose players to more risks than rugby.  American football players will therefore, have to use helmets, shoulder pads, and other protective gear to reduce the danger of injury, as compared to rugby players who wear scrum caps and mouth guards to protect their ears.

4.  Rugby Game Is Faster Than American Football 

It is often thought that the rugby game is faster than American Football.  This is often not true. However, from close observation you might realize that an NFL player would typically be speedier than their corresponding rugby position. On the other hand,  Interior linemen will move more slowly than 8 men, props, and locks. In general, quarterbacks would move more slowly than scrub halves and fly halves. There we can say that this is neither here nor there and is usually left to the spectator to judge.

5. Rugby Teams Consist Of 15 Players, While American Football Teams Have 11 Players

American football and rugby both have quite distinct rules for playing. American football only allows 11 players, but rugby allows 15. A player can come in or go out at any time in American football. 23 players make up a rugby team, and a player who has been substituted is not allowed to play again.

6.  Rugby Fields Are Larger Than American Football Fields

American football fields are smaller than rugby pitches, often known as fields. They vary in size as well, much like soccer fields, which the Americans on my teams have always thought was odd. The dimensions of an American football gridiron remain constant. It measures 100 yards long by 53 1/3 yards broad, and it has two end zones of 10 yards each. This means that regardless of whether you are playing in high school, college, or the NFL, the field will always remain the same size.

7. Rugby players can tackle opponents above the waist Unlike American football Players 

In rugby, the ball is still in play unlike in American football. The ball can be possessed by players on either team. For open play to continue, the person who was tackled must present (release) the ball. Rules for rugby union prohibit tackling over the shoulder line.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has announced that above-the-knee tackling would be prohibited as of July 1, 2023, which is arguably the greatest and most concerning regulatory change in recent memory. A variety of regulatory changes and procedural improvements have been introduced in recent years to try to reduce brain injuries and concussions.

Read more about rugby rules here

8. A Try In American Football Is Worth More Than A Try In Rugby

A Try in Rugby. Photo by Philippa Rose-Tite on

When a player kicks the ball past the goal line of the opposition, it is called a try and is worth five points. The side that scored the try has two options afterward: it can try to kick the ball between the uprights without attempting a conversion for one point, or it can try to kick it over the crossbar and between the uprights for two more points.

A touchdown in American football is scored when a player carries the ball across the goal line of the opposition or collects a pass in the end zone. A touchdown is worth six points. The scoring side can attempt to kick the ball through the uprights after a touchdown for an additional one point, or they can attempt to.

9. Rugby Has Fewer Specialized Positions Than American Football

In general, linemen and linebackers in American football are equivalent to rugby’s forwards, while running backs, receivers, and quarterbacks play similar roles to rugby’s backs.

While some rugby positions, like the hooker, prop, or scrum-half, have specialized roles, these players are nevertheless expected to have a variety of skills.

In modern American football, a team consists of an offensive, a defensive and a “special” (involved in , , , and ) three separate teams units. Only eleven players can be on the field at any time. Players are allowed to play on more than one of the units, this is the norm for all but the highest levels of play (professional and large schools). The kicking unit, with the exception of a few specialists, will usually be made up of reserve players from the offense and defense.

10.  Rugby Matches Are Longer Than American Football Games

Rugby games usually last 80 minutes total, broken up into two 40-minute halves. The players have a 10-minute halftime break in which they can recover and receive coaching from the coaching staff of their team. There are sometimes sporadic interruptions in play due to accidents or other occurrences.

Four 15-minute quarters make up an American football game, with 12- to 15-minute intermission breaks in between each quarter. There are also frequent pauses in action, like as those that occur after each down, when a pass is incomplete, or when there is a penalty. In American football, the clock pauses frequently, which can cause the game to last longer than the allotted time.