The National Football League And Football Of Other Countries

When someone mentions football, what do you think of? That depends on where you live. If you live in the UK, you will probably think of the game that many Americans call soccer. If you live "down under" then Australian rules football, also known as rugby, is the sport that comes to mind. Canadians might think of soccer and rugby, as well as Canadian rules football. If you live in the U.S., then you'll think of the National Football League (NFL) and American football.

Of all the variations of football played around the world, Canadian rules football is the most similar to the game played in the National Football League. Like the other football games mentioned, there are significant differences between Canadian rules football and the National Football League. Here are several ways in which football around the world differs from the football played in the National Football League.

Those living in the UK have grown up playing football with a round ball that is black and white. U.S. residents tend to call that game soccer. Like the game of the National Football League, soccer has a professional circuit. Soccer has a worldwide following, and many countries sponsor national teams. Unlike the soccer or football of the UK and much of the world, the National Football League game is rarely played outside the United States. The National Football League may sponsor exhibition football games in other countries. Otherwise, the game played by the National Football League has little following outside the U.S.

Rugby is sometimes called Australian rules football to distinguish it from American football. The rugby ball is similar in shape to that used by the National Football League. Both types of football involve intense physical contact as well, but the similarities end there. There are various professional forms of rugby, while only one type in the National Football League. American football thrives on the forward pass, while this action is prohibited in rugby. Any player may kick the ball in rugby. In the National Football League, kicking is performed by only one or two specialized players. There are many more differences than similarities in the two sports, despite both having common origins.

Modern Canadian football is the most similar to the National Football League. The Canadian football field is longer and wider than its American counterpart. Under the National Football League rules, 11 players can be on the field. Twelve players are used in Canadian football. Some playing positions in the National Football League are not used by the Canadian Football League (CFL), and vice versa. The tolerances of the football for the CFL and NFL are slightly different, although both are very similar.

Your personal definition of football depends on culture and national history. There is no species of football that is better than the others, only the type that you like better. If you live in the States, there simply is no other kind of football than that played in the National Football League.

Copyright 2006 Jim Sterling - All Rights Reserved

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