HOW DO RUGBY GOALS DIFFER FROM THOSE FOR AMERICAN FOOTBALL?

2022-11-07



Neither rugby nor American football are particularly popular sports in Poland. To a layman, they are very similar because of the "egg-shaped" ball, the contact nature and the rules, which at first glance seem incomprehensible. In reality, however, rugby and American football are significantly different, as are the goals used in each sport.

AMERICAN FOOTBALL VS. RUGBY - ORIGINS AND KEY FEATURES

American football is the most popular sport in the United States. Each game draws tens of thousands of fans to stadiums, and the NFL league finale, the so-called SuperBowl, breaks viewing records every year. Poland has also had an American football league for some time, although the popularity of its games cannot even be compared with those held in the discipline's homeland. However, it is quite a spectacular and emotion-inducing sport.

The homeland of rugby, on the other hand, is England. This sport is very popular right here in the British Isles. It is even considered the national sport of Wales (as well as New Zealand and Georgia). It is also very popular in Australia on many Pacific islands and in Madagascar, Argentina, France, Japan, Canada, Kenya or Romania. Rugby was played in Poland as early as the interwar period, but until now the sport has not lived to see particular popularity, although there are teams in our country playing different variations of the sport.

AMERICAN FOOTBALL VS RUGBY - SIMILARITIES

The game of American football and rugby have a lot in common. Key similarities between the disciplines include:

• contact nature,

• scoring points by touchdowns, elevations, kicks at goal,

• similar ball shape,

• the appearance of the scoring field and the goal, which consists of two tall poles,

• try rule (in rugby league).

In practice, however, it would be difficult for a footballer to find his way onto a rugby field and vice versa. The disciplines differ in their rules, as well as the very appearance of the playing field. Even in the area of the aforementioned similarities, some differences can be noted (for example, the balls from a distance are similar, but up close the one for rugby is oval and larger, and the one for American football is sharper and complete with a characteristic binding).

GOALPOSTS FOR AMERICAN FOOTBALL


GOALPOSTS FOR RUGBY AND GOALPOSTS FOR AMERICAN FOOTBALL

It's no different when it comes to goalposts. From a distance, their design is very similar, delineated by two tall posts. Rugby goals, however, are H-shaped. American football goals, on the other hand, can be both H-shaped and Y-shaped. It is also recommended to put on the top of each of them two small sashes - flags, whose function is to indicate the strength and direction of the wind. The required dimensions of American football goals are:

• width – 564 cm,

• height of posts - min. 915 cm from the pitch surface,

• height of the crossbar - 305 cm above the surface of the pitch.

Rugby goals, on the other hand, have the following dimensions:

• width – 560 cm,

• height of posts - min. 350 cm from the crossbar,

• height of the crossbar - 300 cm above the surface of the pitch.

They are often produced in variants of different heights.

So as you can see, the goals for the two disciplines are similar, but not identical. Their location on the field also differs - in American football they are mounted behind the scoring area, while in rugby they are mounted in front of it.

What American football goals and rugby goals should definitely have in common is the quality of workmanship. They must be robust, resistant to mechanical damage and weather conditions. They are most often manufactured from highly durable, anti-corrosive and lightweight aluminium.

RUGBY GOALS


RUGBY PLAYING AREA VS. AMERICAN FOOTBALL PLAYING AREA

Construction of the playing area also varies by discipline. In American football, the playing area is:

• 120 yards or 360 feet (about 110 m) long,

• 160 feet (about 49 meters) wide.

As already mentioned, the goal is located behind the scoring field (end zone). Also characteristic of the sport are yardlines running across the field at 5-yard intervals. Every 10 yards are numbered to indicate the distance to the nearest point line.

The rugby playing area, on the other hand, is:

• 100 meters long,

• 70 meters wide.

However, there are also several varieties of classic rugby, the games of which can be played on pitches of slightly different dimensions.

RUGBY OR AMERICAN FOOTBALL PLAYING AREA EQUIPMENT

Both rugby and American football are great sports for people who like contact, team sports. At the same time, you don't need much to practice them - the hardest part is finding land for a large enough field. The remaining equipment is just goals and balls. Helmets and pads for players are also essential in American football.

Looking for professional rugby or soccer equipment? Check out our store's offerings, including goals made of reliable aluminium.