Canadian vs American Football: Can You Catch the Difference?
Football – More Than Just a Game
Canada and the United States, the two North American countries share many similarities, including a common border, a similar language, and a passion for sports. However, when it comes to football, the two countries have very different games. American football, played with an oval ball on a 100-yard field, is one of the most popular sports in the United States. Canada’s version is played on a 110-yard field with a slightly different ball and set of rules. Even within the US and Canada, there are two football leagues: the NFL and the CFL, respectively.In this article, we will explore the key differences between Canadian and American football, focusing on the field of play, the ball, scoring, and the overall strategy of the game.
Gridiron Dimensions
The gridiron, or field of play, is one of the most noticeable differences between Canadian and American football. An American football field is 100 yards long and 53 yards wide, while a Canadian football field is 110 yards long and 65 yards wide.End Zones
At either end of the gridiron are the end zones, which are 10 yards deep in American football and 20 yards deep in Canadian football.The Football
The football is slightly different between the two games. An American football is longer but has a smaller circumference than a Canadian football. Compared to an American football, a Canadian football is 1 inch shorter and has a larger circumference.Canadian Footballs Have Points
The ends of a Canadian football are more pointed, which makes it easier to throw and catch. These pointed ends also mean that a Canadian football can be more difficult to grip for quarterbacks.Scoring
Scoring in Canadian football is slightly different than in American football. A touchdown is worth six points in both games, but in Canadian football, a field goal is worth three points instead of one.Touchdowns in the End Zone
In American football, a player can score a touchdown by carrying the ball across the goal line or catching a pass in the end zone. In Canadian football, a player can also score a touchdown by catching a pass in the end zone and then running the ball back into the field of play.Rules and Strategy
The rules and strategy of Canadian football are also slightly different than in American football. In Canadian football, there are three downs to gain 10 yards, compared to four downs in American football.In Canadian football, teams can also score a single point by kicking the ball through the goalposts after a touchdown. This is not possible in American football.
Downs and Yards
In both games, teams have four downs to gain 10 yards. However, in Canadian football, teams can also choose to punt the ball on third down.In American football, teams must gain 10 yards on four downs or they lose possession of the ball. In Canadian football, teams can gain 10 yards on three downs or they can choose to punt the ball on third down.
