Rugby and Football are not the same. I don't like sports but I was wondering about the differences in rugby and (American) football and found this...

American Football Concepts

American Football with over 30 NFL (National Football League) teams and over 100 major college teams is extremely popular sport in the USA. In the past few years it is becoming popular in other countries too. Still, there are many people around the world, who do not understand American Football at all and may even have reservations about the game.

For many of you who have been raised with soccer, rugby and Australian football rules, Football may be somewhat confusing. You may wonder about issues such as why the same players can not play every position, why there are so many stops in the game and why the players need to wear so many protective gear.

The principles of American Football are different from those of soccer or Rugby in many ways. It is not a continuance game with general goal but rather a game that is broken down to very short specific tasks. A play may take about 5 seconds to complete and then there will be a period of about 40* seconds to prepare for the next play.

This is the issue that for those who do not understand the game have the most problem with. They do not understand the reason the play is so short and why there is a long stop after each play.

In the beginning one needs to understand only the very basics. American Football is a very complicated game with many different options for each team to choose from. It is a combination of chess and sport in which each team is trying to outsmart the other team, yet also needs to physically outdo the opposing team.

People should not bother with all the rules when they watch their first games. They need to understand the basics of both the running and passing games. They also need to understand that though, the ultimate goal is to score a Touchdown, many plays are only designed to gain 5-10 yards.

A team has dozens and even hundreds plays to choose from. Some are based on speed, others are based on power while others are designed to trick and confuse the other team. The ultimate goal is broken down into many small tasks.

Each team has 11 players on the field. Yet, they will often substitute 1-3 players before a play for a specific task. They get together in a huddle before each play in order to get instructions on the play they are going to execute . There is the big issue of Planning, Controlling and only then Executing the play. For that reason there is the need for the break before each play.

Many of the plays are indeed complicated. There is a lot of action not only near the ball, but also around players that may be on the other side of the field. For the fans it is very hard to see everything that is going on at the first time. Replay is indeed very exciting in American Football because the fans have the chance to look at things they have missed during the play itself. Replay in Football is NOT only to watch the play a second time, but actually the chance to see things that many have missed the first time. This is just one more reason that breaks between plays are actually of an advantage for the fans.

It is also a time for fans to guess what will be the next play the team will choose to execute. Indeed, that anticipation is a huge part of the excitement of watching American Football.

I'm watching the Panthers and Giants play, and the Panthers are looking pretty good. Which brings me to the question.. how important, in terms of how a team's gonna do, is the preseason record? Do you think it really matters?

the preseason matters very little except maybe the first or second quarter of each game when the actaul starters are in the game...the rest is just guys tryin to establish themselves on the team and get a spot

The only thing that matters in the preseason is if a player is injured. Otherwise it's just guys knocking the rust off to get ready for the real games. The outcome dosen't matter.

Not if you play Rugby League they are not.

Rugby League is 80 minutes of hell for leather entertainment, with the ball in play for an hour of that 80.

Not only are the tackles as hard as American Football, but they don't get a break every fifteen seconds. Sometimes play can go on for many minutes before the first stoppage.

The fitness levels of Rugby Union players is far lower than that of League, because quite simply the tackles are nowhere near the same ferocity, and the ball is in actual play for less than half the time.

Well, the college season started this week. And the NFL starts next week. Any bold predictions?

I see the titans going all the way this year! Even though they got rid of Eddie George and Jevon Kearse. GO TITANS!!!!

We're all entitled to our opinions. I'm sticking with the Patriots beating the Eagles.

The season has officially started, and I must bump this thread. Steelers won today, I smile

Vikings Vs. Colts in super bowl whatever it is this 39 i think

My bold predictions:

Superbowl: The Eagles over the Colts -- 34-21

National Championship: USC over OU -- 24-21

Heresy! OU over Georgia, 35-10

Of course, I'm biased.

So...what are the rules for American football Snuffs?

Serious question(honest)every time I have tried to watch it they have loads of breaks

Watch the Monday nite game. It should be a shootout.

Won't get it over here...Will have English footie though

So am I when it comes to USC. Go Trojans! Lucky I cannot attach the school song or I would.

AliceCoopersGirl, what exactly are you looking for? The actual rules(rule book) or a summary of the game itself? I do not mean to sound all knowing, but if you are new to american football there is a lot more than what appears(as in any sport).

I don't know exactly how to give the rules, except that each team starts with four tries to get ten yards down the field, if they make it ten yards, they get four more tries to get ten more yards, until they either get into the end-zone, which is a touchdown, or they get close enough to try for a field goal. Touchdowns are six points, and you have a choice to kick an extra point or run a play to get two after every touchdown. Field goals are worth three points.

That's the basics.

Penalties
(some anyway)

Off side: When you cross the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped. 5 yard penalty.

Ruffing the kicker: Touching the kicker after he kicks the ball. 15 yard penalty.

Holding: grabbing hold of the opponents jersey or in general putting your hands on him in such a way as to immobilize him. 5 yard penalty.

Interference: touching the person attempting to catch a pass. Penalty: Death!
Actually the penalty is: automatic first down at the point of trespass. So if the quarterback throws the ball 40 yards down the field and the opposing team touches the passer and the referee calls a penalty, they get the ball right there even though the passer didn't catch the ball.

Face Mask: grabbing hold of the opposing player's facemask. 15 yard penalty.

Unsportsmanlike conduct: being unsportsmanlike. 15 yard penalty.

The Game:

You get 4 tries to go 10 yards. Tries are called 'downs'. When you do go farther than 10 yards, it is a 'first down'. Next try is a 'second down'. Third is 'third down'.
On the fourth down you can go for it but if you fail the opposing team gets the ball right there. Or you have the choice on fourth down to punt, which is to kick the ball as far as you can down field. The guy who catches the ball can either catch it and run or call a 'fair catch'. If he sticks his hand up in the air prior to catching the ball it is a fair catch and no one can touch him. If he chooses to run with it, he may very well get creamed immediately.

The game is played in 4 quarters, each 15 minutes. At the end of the 2nd quarter is Half Time. A 15 minute break.

I prefer College football over Pro. Favorite team is Ohio State but im biased towards my states team.
My brother is playing soccor this year...my dad offered him 100 bucks to play football for at least one season.

Umm...Im confused sorry.

Thanks Joc,that makes more sense.

The rules are that the game must stop for five minutes after every fifteen seconds of play, and the fans have to stuff as much popcorn, burgers, fries and coca cola down as possible in the alloted breaks.

Okay, so my explanation of the rules suck, compared to joc's. You can't win everytime.



I shall be classy and not give soccer the severe berating it so richly deserves

Hey DD check this site out 4 the official rules...
And snuff is completely true in his version tho...

http://www.nfl.com/fans/rules/

TheJack

Do any of u play on a real team? like in high school or somethin?

TheJack

Well, snuffypuffer, it looks as if our teams are hanging at the top of both polls, respectively. We will see in the end.

Good to have you back, snuffypuffer. Looks as though Pittsburgh, backed by Big Ben, is leading their division. Good stuff. The Cowboys have a tough one this week, but do not worry they will overcome and hopefully bring back the retro superbowl: Doomsday vs Curtain. Wishful thinking, but hey we all have our dreams.


Remember this one?

You had to bring that up, didn't you

Watching OU vs Texas, oh, no offense, defensive battle, shall not be a blowout this year, it would seem.

Dallas has yet to play the Eagles. This will not be pretty.

12-0, I smile.....



Over 200 yards rushing, had Adrian Peterson, and he's a freshman. This is a good thing.

Defensive battle is right. USC squeaked one out as well. I still see them playing each other in the National Championship game.

Dallas once again shot themselves in the foot, they are never going to succeed playing like they did against the Giants.

After four/five games who is playing the best so far? Here are mine:

QB - Mcnabb - Philadelphia
RB - Curtis Martin - Jets
WR - Johnson - Houston
DP - Kearney - Atlanta
Rookie - Big Ben - Pittsburgh
Team - Philadelphia

I cringe every time I mention Philadelphia, but I have to speak the truth.

No No and No, Oh Come on ppl Everyone knows that the best team is the New England Patriots!!!!

The Pats are good, they are going to beat the Eagles in the Superbowl. But let's talk about how Dallas crushed Triniant's hopes and dreams and how we laugh at him for it

I kid, I kid.

How about those Packers? I was actually saddened at the game last night. Was anyone else as disappointed as I was?

yep i was. But still Pats gonna rock.

Go ahead and laugh; you know this last one put me in rehab. Well, let us see if the boys in blue can rebound against their evil nemsis , the Bradshaw's starring Marino-esque Roethlisberger (great rookie so far).

The Patriots' streak stops this weekend against the Seahawks. As I have mentioned before, the Eagles will beat the Pats in the Superbowl, easily.

Yeah, I am shocked more than anything else to see what is happening with the Pack. Favre is one of my all time favorites, but I think he needs a rest; where is the bye weekend for the cheeseheads?

No Way the Eagles don't stand a chance against the mighty Patriots!!!! We will kick their butts, that's for sure.

Wow, what a game! Triniant, I offer my condolences, and my shoulder is here if you need it. Testaverde's fumble has surely caused you much pain and suffering.

In other news...

It was a great game and good job Big Ben; man is he going to be good!? Thanks for the offer snuffypuffer, I just might need it.

OU and USC, still undefeated! They better fix this BCS crap or just get rid of it altogether. How is Miami ranked second??

UGA, fan here I missed the game yesterday and the scores this morning, damn I hate working weekends. Does anyone know the score of the UGA vs. Arkansas game?

Sorry I found it, it was 20 to 14 UGA over Arkansas

Georgia 20 - 14 in a hard fought battle. I must say that David Greene looked impressive.


Edit - I guess I was a little late with the score.

Steelers were all over the Patriots, 31-20. We smile, nod approvingly. The streak is over.

Now how will they fair against their in state rivals?

Cowboys won! (it's about damn time)

I don't know, but nobody stays undefeated forever

I think it's gonna be closer than the Patriots game, whoever wins.

True. The question then becomes when?

Hard choice here, superbowl rivals versus division rivals.....hmmm. I like the rookie, but I want to stay true to the NFC. Well I agree, a close one.......give it to the steel city on account of the "undefeated theory".

I still say that the eagles will take the 'bowl.

It looks as if the steelers are the real deal. They completely came in and dominated the two best teams like they were nothing, so congrats to the fans (snuffypuffer) and the team. It has been awhile since they've been on top.

The cowboys need to start working on next year and maybe then (very cautious maybe) can we start to talk about a retro superbowl matchup with Pittsburgh . Until then they can't even be mentioned in the same sentence, for obivious reasons.

Dallas will at least have a few high draft picks, so that'll be good for them, so long as they pick good players.

That's been their downfall the last couple of years.

Hey Big Ben for rookie of the year, how 'bout it? Snuffypuffer, I know you don't want to jinx the guy, but I believe that he already has it wrapped up (8-0) .

I heard Paul McCartney was going to make the half time show, hope there isn't going to be an other dressing malfunction.

Don't say that, my superbowl viewing would be scarred if that were to happen .

Hey football fans I am not a huge football fan but I am a huge University of Georgia Bull Dog fan. My question to those of you who know more about Pro football than me is, what are David Greene and David Pollack's chances of making it in the NFL?