Canadian football is very similar to American football and, for those thatĀ havenātĀ studied the 2 sports, it can even look a lot like rugby. However, when comparing Canadian football to rugby, the differences areĀ pretty obvious, even for the untrained eye. On the other hand, Canadian football and American football are nearly identical and if you take a sports fan from outside the USA or Canada, there are some big chances that he cannot tell the difference between the 2.Ā
To tell Canadian football apart from American football, fans must take in consideration the 3 main differences that can be observed at first glance with a little focus.Ā
Canadian football has one extra player in the team that starts the gameĀ
The most obvious and easy to observe difference between the two types of football is the number of players that start the game.Ā
While an American football team starts a game with 11 players, just like in soccer, Canadian football teams start their games with 12 players.Ā The 12thĀ player for a Canadian football team will be required to have aĀ backfield position on offence. Usually, thisĀ a defensive backĀ in American football.Ā
As a result of an extra player for Canadian football, there will be a certain variation inĀ position designations of the offensive and defensive lines.Ā
Surface of playĀ
This is probably the most complicated difference between Canadian and American football.Ā
The most essential one is the one for the official playing field. ForĀ CanadianĀ football, theĀ field is 110 by 65 yards, while the American one measuresĀ 100 by 53+1ā3 yards.Ā Also, inĀ Canadian football,Ā end zones are 10 yards deeper thanĀ inĀ American football, measuring 20 yards, sinceĀ 1986.Ā
Many changes have been made over time, but this is the one that is the most obvious and consists as a big and easy noticeable difference.Ā
Ball dimensionsĀ
Another difference consists of different ball dimensions. This may not be that obvious at first, but it does impact the game andĀ itāsĀ easy to notice from the first 2 or 3 games a football fan will watch.Ā
Until 2018,Ā the CFL and NFL hadĀ different specificationsĀ when it came to the ball size. Before that time, the CFL requirements for theĀ ball sizeĀ wereĀ specified as short circumference from 20+7ā8 to 21+1ā8 inches (530 to 537 mm); long circumference from 27+3ā4 to 28+1ā4 inches (705 to 718 mm).Ā
Ā At the moment, the requirements for short circumference are from 21 to 21+1ā4 inches (533 to 540 mm) and for long circumference are from 28 to 28+1ā2 inches (711 to 724 mm).Ā
From simple fans to passionate gamblers, everyone must know the difference between American and Canadian football. And to enjoy the sport to its maximum, fans can tryĀ Betzest, for some of the best odds in Canadian football.Ā
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