American Football vs. Rugby — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on October 6, 2023
American Football is a contact sport with specific downs and forward passes; Rugby involves continuous play and lacks forward passing.
Difference Between American Football and Rugby
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
American Football is characterized by its use of specialized positions, forward passes, and set plays initiated from scrimmage. In contrast, Rugby flows more continuously, with players passing the ball laterally or backward.
In American Football, teams get four downs to advance ten yards, while in Rugby, the objective is to carry or kick the ball over the opponent's goal line without specific downs.
Safety gear differentiates the two sports. American Football players wear helmets, shoulder pads, and other protective gear, whereas Rugby players usually only don protective headgear and mouthguards.
Scoring in American Football includes touchdowns, field goals, extra points, and safeties. In Rugby, points come from tries, conversions, penalty kicks, and drop goals.
While both are team contact sports, American Football is predominantly played in the U.S., with the NFL being its premier league. Rugby, however, enjoys international popularity, highlighted by events like the Rugby World Cup.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Passing Rules
Allows forward passing
Only lateral or backward passing
Game Flow
Stoppages with set plays from scrimmage
Continuous play
Protective Gear
Helmets, pads, and more
Usually just headgear and mouthguards
Scoring Methods
Touchdowns, field goals, etc.
Tries, conversions, etc.
Popularity
Predominantly U.S. with NFL as the main league
Globally popular with events like the Rugby World Cup
Compare with Definitions
American Football
A sport where players wear protective helmets and pads.
Safety is paramount in American Football due to its physical nature.
Rugby
A contact sport known for its continuous play and lack of forward passing.
The flow of Rugby is distinct, with fewer stoppages than many sports.
American Football
A contact sport primarily played in the U.S. with set downs and forward passes.
American Football is immensely popular, especially during the Super Bowl.
Rugby
A game where players typically wear minimal protective gear.
Rugby players exhibit immense toughness, often playing with just a mouthguard for protection.
American Football
The sport that has the NFL as its premier league.
Many aspire to play American Football in the NFL, one of the most lucrative sports leagues.
Rugby
A team sport where the ball can only be passed laterally or backward.
Rugby requires swift decision-making when passing under pressure.
American Football
A game played by two teams competing to advance the ball into the opponent's end zone.
The thrill of American Football lies in its combination of strategy and athleticism.
Rugby
An international game highlighted by events like the Rugby World Cup.
Rugby's global appeal is evident during the World Cup, attracting viewers worldwide.
American Football
A game characterized by touchdowns, field goals, and intricate plays.
American Football requires strategic thinking and physical prowess.
Rugby
A sport where players aim to carry or kick the ball over the opponent's goal line.
Scoring a try in Rugby is a moment of exhilaration for players and fans alike.
Rugby
A game played by two teams of 15 players each on a rectangular field 110 yards long with goal lines and goal posts at either end, the object being to run with an oval ball across the opponent's goal line or kick it through the upper portion of the goal posts, with forward passing and time-outs not permitted.
Rugby
A form of football in which players can hold or kick an ovoid ball; rugby football. The ball cannot be handled forwards and points are scored by touching the ball to the ground in the area past the opponent's territory or by kicking the ball between goalposts and over a crossbar.
The scrum is a distinctive element of rugby.
The two rugbies split following a debate about amateurism.
Rugby
(specifically) The form of the game known as rugby union (see the usage note).
Rugby
(countable) rugby shirt
Rugby
(Philippines) Rubber cement, contact cement.
Rugby
(intransitive) To play rugby.
Rugby
A form of football played with an oval ball
Common Curiosities
How does American Football's passing differ from Rugby's?
In American Football, forward passing is allowed; in Rugby, only lateral or backward passing is permitted.
How do players score in Rugby?
In Rugby, players score through tries, conversions, penalty kicks, and drop goals.
What protective gear is common in American Football?
In American Football, players commonly wear helmets, pads, and other protective equipment.
Are set plays common in Rugby?
Unlike American Football, Rugby has fewer set plays and more continuous action.
Which sport has more continuous play?
Rugby typically has more continuous play, whereas American Football has frequent stoppages.
How are the balls different in American Football and Rugby?
The American Football is elongated with pointed ends, while the Rugby ball is more rounded.
What is a touchdown in American Football?
A touchdown is scored when a player carries the ball across the opponent's goal line or catches it in the end zone.
What's the premier league for American Football?
The premier league for American Football is the NFL.
Is Rugby played globally?
Yes, Rugby enjoys international popularity, especially with events like the Rugby World Cup.
How does a player score a try in Rugby?
A try in Rugby is scored by grounding the ball in the opponent's in-goal area.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Aerobic Respiration vs. Fermentation
Next Comparison
Merchant Banking vs. Wholesale BankingAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
