Wats up with the nfl???

Question

y do they were protective padding cause over here in australia we play rugby league rugby union and AFL which has just as big hits and we dont were any protective padding. wats the deal with that??

Answer 1

You have to bear in mind that there is a certain 'ettiquette' of tackling in rugby. In the NFL, there is no such thing.

If you wanna throw yourself at a guys ankles, you can. If you wanna clothesline a bloke, crack on. Helmet to helmet contact (although frowned upon) is not always punished. Only recently was the 'horsecollar' foul implemented (pulling a guy down by the back-neck of his shirt) and, though I'm not 100% about this one, I think tackling in the air is allowed, only if they receiver has touched the ball.

The rules have been changed in recent years to protect QB's and Kickers more, with the use of the Roughing the Passer / Kicker rule, which has eliminated a lot of late hits.

Even though they were padding, the injuries are more frequent and serious than rugby so I guess that goes a long way towards the reasons behind the protection!

Answer 2

"Just as big hits"

Yeah.....I really doubt that. And anyway, arent most shoulder to shoulder or whatever?

Answer 3

Why don't you go have a scrum with yourself Mate!!

Answer 4

Because we are bigger, stronger, and more muscular.

Answer 5

Rugby is rough (and fun) but there is a difference in the hitting.  The hits are not at as high a speed in Rugby.  Think about it... if you were playing Rugby, and at one of the breaks, they gave all of you pads and helmets, do you not think the cushions would give you more security and the confidence to unload on a guy even harder.  Besides, there's more to each game than the hitting.  I watch it for the skill and speed more than anything.

Answer 6

American Football is a game of Skill, speed and power. The hits are ferocious! I've been to Oz, watched and played Rugby there and in the UK, watched Australian Rules Football, and you guys are mere amateurs when it comes to hitting. Sorry, Mate. Just nothing like real NFL Contact.

Answer 7

I have played both games.  Both are rough games.  The difference (as others have pointed out) is the types of hits.  Most hits in rugby are in close they are battles of strength and leverage.  

In Football the hits are much harder.  Players run into each other at full acceleration.  

The difference is equivalent to taking two cars a couple of inches apart from each other and crash them into each other at full throttle.  Then take those same two cars and put them 100 yards apart and run them into each other at full throttle.  It does not take much imagination to see which collision does more damage.  

Answer 8

there is are alot of p***y's over here in USA that enforce new safety laws every day?

Answer 9

All respect to rugby, it's a rough game, but just by the nature of the games American football hits are far more intense. That's no knock on rugby, they're two different games.

Answer 10

the auzies cant afford the extra equipment.  :)

Answer 11

i can honestly say i see your point an offer my thoughts on both sports..

ive played american football an loved every minute of it.. dominating another person whose only focus is tryin to dominate you is like a drug, undescribable..

i never played rugby, but a buddy of mine did an i caught a few of his matches..

which leads me to my observations of the differences and the purpose of wearin pads..

football is a separate type of sport from rugby, though the basic premise an scoring are similar..

in football, you have "skill" players on both offense an defense.. on offense, you have a quarterback, running back and wide receivers..

on defense, you got linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties.. each plays a different role on the field and contribute greatly to the outcome of a game.. though im very unknowing of the game of rugby, i know its one of the roughest, bloody and physical sports someone can play.. but i dont know of any certain position which could be considered a "skill" position in rugby.. ive watched it, and it seems like all players are equally responsible for their team's success.. unlike football, where the "skill" players are mainly responsible for their own team's success..

i think rugby is definately a more extreme an brutal sport, but football is a more skill-orientated game predicated by the play of the skill players.. rugby doesnt feature a quarterback who is solely in charge of running offense.. a quarterback takes a load of punishment during a game an alot of the time, the person hittin him has time to get a running start.. rugby has the "scrum" where both teams use their weight pushin against each other to begin a scoring chance..

football players need pads to play their game.. rugby players rarely wear any pads, outside of an occasional helmet.. i give rugby kudos for this, but their game is built to be physically fought in a small area.. football, on the other hand, is a game built for speed an athleticism.. a qb wears a rib protector so his ribs arent crushed when he is pancaked 14 times by a 300+ lb. lineman, fueled on by his desire to create a world of pain for the qb.. a safety on defense uses his shoulder pads whenever a receiver is cuttin across the middle of the field, tryin to catch a pass.. imagine your friend throwin something to you and you run to catch it and BLAM! ! someone else hits you in the ribs with a sledgehammer, making you gasp for air.. i know rugby has some crazy physical hits, but football provides a much more open route to light up your opponent..

overall, i grew up with football an the pads are essential to playin the next game.. it may seem sissy-ish to other countries, but football is exciting and america's best sport.. rugby is a sport that commands a certain respect reserved for them an hockey players.. it just seems that speed and elusiveness are sacrificed for strength and toughness..

so my bottom line is, i know the importance of football players wearing pads.. the pads provide the buffer for someone wearin them and lasting 14 years in professional football versus someone not wearin any pads an gettin a spinal injury in their first game out..

i'll always respect rugby and the toughness required to play it, but i still see american football as my favorite sport to watch.. pads or no, just enjoyin them all is what being a sports junkie is all about..

***Note***

sorry if i wrote a ton of stuff.. i liked your question an wanted to explain my thoughts.. peace..

Answer 12

Well, I'm happy for ya mate! Why dont you go wrestle a Crocodile or something. WHO HAS ALL THE GOLD MEDALS, who cares if you dont wear pads, that just explains the goofiness,