The two sports may look the same, but fans will actually find a long list of differences in the rules between NFL and Rugby.
The different rules have always been confusing, even more so with the number of rugby variants including the most recent announcement of Rugby World 12s.
Let’s take a deep dive and look at exactly how the two similar sports compare and how they differ in the rule book.
Direction and nature of play
Comparing the nature of play of rugby and American football highlights a number of differences between the two sports.
In rugby, the game begins with a kick-off in which the two teams fight for possession of the ball. The receiving team are then able to run with the ball, pass the ball laterally or behind or kick the ball. The defending team can only tackle the player with the ball, with the exception of scrummages, no other contact is permitted during a game of rugby. The overall goal is to score the most amount of points with tries, conversions, penalty kicks and drop goals.
An NFL game also begins with a kick-off with the two teams lining up plays from a scrimmage. The goal is for the attacking team to move the ball a minimum of 10 yards within 4 downs – if they fail this goal, the opposing side takes control and gains the chance. If they succeed, the team is allowed to repeat, moving the ball at least 10 yards in 4 downs. The overall goal is to move the ball into the end-zone of the opponent, scoring a touchdown.
One of the biggest differences in the direction of play is the passing. In rugby, players are required to pass the ball laterally or behind, in American football, the ball must be passed forwards.
Protective gear
One of the biggest visual differences between NFL and rugby is the protective gear permitted in a game.
In the NFL, players are required to wear a helmet, shoulder and chest protection, upper leg padding and a mouthguard before they are allowed on the field. In rugby, minimal protection is offered with just light head, shoulders and collarbone protection permitted. Only a mouthguard is required before being allowed on the field.
Number of players and substitutions
The number of players starting a rugby game is much larger than that of an NFL game with each rugby team consisting of 15 players compared to the NFL starting 11.
In an NFL game, an unlimited number of substitutions can be used during a game offering the potential for a huge number of changes in a game.
The opposite is true for rugby and, depending on the tournament rules, a maximum of 7 substitutions can be made in a game. Additionally, those players substituted cannot rejoin the game with a small number of rule exceptions.
Differences in rugby and NFL betting
The main differences between rugby and NFL can be clearly highlighted in an online sportsbook with everything from the scoring to the game structure considered.
For sports betting on both rugby and the NFL we would recommend a strong, honest sportsbook such as SBK. Powered by Smarkets, SBK operates unlike a traditional sportsbook and does not take a cut of the bets taken. This allows the betting app to offer some of the most competitive odds online, highlighted by a percentage figure on each of the markets.
Another one is Boylesports which offer bet £10 and get £20 in free bets, you can find the Boylesports sign up offer explained online.
Takeaway
Fundamentally, although the pair of games appear similar at first glance, rugby and NFL are very different in almost all aspects.
From the number of players on each side and the number of substitutions that can be made to the direction of passing and the amount of padding required – the two have a long list of differences.
One of the easiest ways to pick up NFL is by watching a game and using a sportsbook, such as SBK, to shine some light on the rules. With markets covering all aspects of the game, it doesn’t take long to quickly learn the rules of either game!
