Is Rugby Union the Same As Association Football?
Association football, also known as just football or soccer, is an organized team game played between two sides of eleven players each. It’s played across about 200 nations and dependencies, so it’s the world’s second-most popular sport. The object of the game is for the team to capture the football and use it during the course of the match; the point system is designed to reward every effort. So why is it so popular?
Well, association football is a game that requires lots of hard work. Unlike basketball and rugby, football requires that players stand up and then kick the ball with their feet. That means standing up, running, and dodging, all of which are difficult tasks. Moreover, the physical demands of association football make it a physically draining sport for players. With a number of players on each team, every tackle takes its toll physically and mentally.
Like association football, rugby union football also features a kicking sport. Rugby union is also a physically demanding game, although not as taxing as association football. And just like soccer, rugby union football features the ball and some sort of scoring system. In rugby union, players stand one foot behind the ball, and they’re allowed to kick the ball into the goal.
But unlike soccer and association football, rugby union also uses the “box” system, where there is no foul until a player touches the ball with his hands. So a player is not penalized if he does not touch the ball with his hands, as long as the player first aims the kick to the opposite goalscore. In short, rugby has a very different game plan.
But what makes it unique? Many would say it’s the fact that it is not soccer or Association football; the sport doesn’t even have a name yet. It’s also not known as “rugby,” the British slang for rugby. Perhaps this is the unique characteristic of the sport that sets it apart from other football sports. As of today, the only major international tournament for football is the Six nations; but rugby can be seen as the sport of choice for many who follow international rugby tournaments and the sport in general. It’s safe to say then that rugby union is the most popular non-championship sport in the world today.
There are different codes for different levels of play; for example, the English, French and Welsh league all have their own rules. But there are some things that are common across the different codes, including the need to wear the right kit and protective gear. Also, players are not allowed to kick the ball with their feet. So while there are differences in the rules of each league, both soccer and Association football are played on natural grass surfaces.