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In Anticipation of the Super Bowl, Let's Recap the Fundamentals...
While American football gains widespread recognition through the "Super Bowl Halftime Show," it remains a relatively overlooked sport in Europe. Despite the existence of numerous clubs on the continent, the intricacies of its rules remain unfamiliar to many. Furthermore, there's a tendency to playfully pit it against rugby, highlighting the superficial similarities between the two sports, even though they differ significantly in essence. As the Super Bowl approaches, those unfamiliar with the intricacies of rugby and American football often pose similar questions. If you're among them, this article is tailored just for you!
What is the Genesis of These Sports?
Formally acknowledged in 1823, rugby originated in United Kingdom (England) through the initiative of William Webb Ellis, a student at Rugby College. Legend has it that this sport came into existence when William, during a soccer match, impulsively picked up the ball and traversed the entire field to slam it into the opposing team's goal. This act led to the naming of the trophy for the sport's premier global competition, the Rugby World Cup, in his honor.
In contrast, American football, as implied by its name, emerged in the United States decades later. The roots of American football are believed to extend back to 1860 with the arrival of British settlers on American soil. In a context where rugby and soccer held dominance, Gerrat Smith Miller conceived the idea of amalgamating them. By 1870, matches were already being played in some North American universities. The formal establishment of the American Professional Football Association occurred in 1920.
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In both sports, the primary goal is to advance towards the opposing team's end zone.
Various actions allow teams to accumulate points, and although the rules differ, there are some parallels between the two disciplines:
The most point-yielding play involves moving the ball into the opponent's end zone. In rugby, this entails grounding the ball in the area for a try five points (5 points), while in American football, a touchdown six points (6 points) is achieved by entering the end zone with the ball or receiving a pass in it. These actions can be followed by a conversion, where the ball must be kicked between the goalposts (2 points in rugby, 1 point in American football). Additionally, in American football, teams can attempt an "extra point," a single try to return to the in-goal zone and earn 2 points.
Teams encounter specific rules as they strive to gain ground. In rugby, all hand passes must be made backward, allowing progression either with the ball in hand or through a foot pass. In American football, the offensive team has 4 attempts to advance by 10 yards. Successful progress grants another cycle of 4 attempts, repeating until a touchdown is pursued. If the team fails to reach the 10-yard line after four attempts, possession is handed over to the opposing team.
The offensive team, aiming to advance, is permitted one pass per attempt, with each play concluding when the ball carrier is tackled or if the pass is incomplete.
Points can also be earned through kicking. In rugby, 3 points are awarded for a successful kick between the goal posts, either following an opponent's foul (penalty) or during gameplay by bouncing and kicking the ball (drop kick). In American football, during a team's 4th attempt, they can attempt a kick between the goal posts to score 3 points.
In rugby: scoring a try earns 5 points, converting it adds 2 points, a drop goal is worth 3 points, and a penalty kick also yields 3 points.
In American football: a touchdown is worth 6 points, extra points can be 1 or 2 depending on the method, a field goal scores 3 points, and a safety awards 2 points to the opposing team.
The Game Arena...
Beyond the ball's shape, another factor contributing to confusion between American football and rugby lies in the playing field. Although both sports feature an end zone, the fields differ significantly. Variances exist in the size of the field and the design of the goal posts. In rugby stadiums, the goal posts are H-shaped, while in American football, they take on a Y-shaped structure.
Regarding the dimensions of a rugby field, it spans approximately 100 meters in length by 70 meters in width. The measurement unit for American football, however, is yards, with one yard equivalent to 0.91 meters. An American football stadium typically measures 120 yards in length (109.2 meters) and 53.33 yards in width (48.53 meters).
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Game Regulations:
The initial distinction lies in the duration. Rugby dictates a total playing time of 80 minutes, divided into two 40-minute halves, in contrast to American football's four 15-minute quarters. Following the first two quarters, both sports observe a 12-minute halftime break.
The second disparity pertains to the total number of players on the field. In rugby, the prevalent setup features 15 players per side (although variations with 13 and 7 players per side exist), while American football opts for 11 players per side.
There is also a noteworthy difference regarding player substitutions. In rugby, where players partake in both offensive and defensive phases, only seven changes are allowed during the match. On the contrary, in American football, there is no restriction on substitutions, as teams undergo substantial changes between the offensive and defensive phases.
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Sporting Gear:
The primary piece of equipment is the oval ball, although the rugby ball is approximately 27 cm in size, slightly smaller than the 28 cm American football. Additionally, players utilize protective gear during the game.
In rugby, players have the option to wear flexible and non-mandatory thigh pads, helmets, and gum shields. In American football, due to the intensity of impacts, players are required to wear gum shields, along with more robust and rigid helmets, shoulder pads, as well as knee and elbow protection during games.
Technological Advancements in the Game
Despite these disparities, both sports share a close relationship with technology. Numerous innovations have surfaced on the fields of American football and rugby, inspiring advancements in other sports to enhance fluidity and improve the spectator experience. Instant replay was introduced in the NFL in 1978 and has since evolved significantly to expand its applicability.
In rugby, aside from the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) implemented since the 2000s, the use of referees equipped with microphones has resonated with television viewers and enthusiasts across various sports. In League 1, the recent collaboration with Amazon Prime involved outfitting the referee team for the St-Etienne – Monaco match in April 2022, sparking renewed discussions among institutions aiming to increase transparency in refereeing practices.
Beyond refereeing, noteworthy technological strides have been made in American football. Communication between players and coaches now involves microphones integrated into the quarterback's helmet. Additionally, tablets provided on the sideline enable real-time analysis of plays. Notably, several innovations have been introduced to safeguard the physical health of players, including an NFL competition focused on redesigning helmets to minimize concussions. Medical teams also have instant access to players' health data.
Commerce Matters
On the business front, the statistics heavily favor American football. Despite facing challenges in expanding beyond the U.S. borders, the NFL, particularly the Super Bowl (the league's championship game), boasts immense audiences and revenues in stark contrast to rugby. The upcoming NFL broadcasting contract spanning 11 seasons (2023-2033) is projected to bring the league between 105 and 110 billion dollars, equating to nearly 10 billion per season.
Further exemplifying American dominance is the price of advertising spots during the Super Bowl halftime, where advertisers shell out 7 million euros for a 30-second commercial. At such a premium, advertisers are compelled to showcase exceptional creativity to stand out.
In contrast, rugby holds promising prospects, particularly in France, set to host the next World Cup in September 2023. As per the organizer's predictions, the competition is expected to generate a net profit of 68 million euros, earmarked for the development of rugby in France.
Armed with this information, you now possess compelling arguments for a lively debate among friends on the merits of rugby versus American football.
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