2 ms·

My understanding for point #1 above is that the tackles are extremely violent and therefore the need for heavy helmets, not the other way around. The things you

by mnm1 9y ago

My understanding for point #1 above is that the tackles are extremely violent and therefore the need for heavy helmets, not the other way around. The things you describe in the first paragraph as being illegal in rugby are all legal in American football (with the exception of grabbing the neck/head itself or a helmet to helmet collision; those are illegal though they still happen). There are frequent collisions with players who are not moving, players in the air, and players moving in opposite directions. There are also frequent gang tackles. Legs go one way, upper body another, and head another. Also, players are frequently running at top speed / acceleration when they make / get tackled. Not really sure how that compares to rugby. It's a sport I'd love to get into but I don't fully understand. As for #2, I wouldn't be surprised if there is widespread steroid use, but I don't know for sure.

jimnotgym 9y ago
Interestingly most of the things I described as illegal, became illegal in the last 20 years. Tackling at top speed, in groups, etc is all fair game in Rugby, and frequent. But since you are not wearing a helmet, you put your head to the side of a player when you tackle! As for getting into Rugby, there are a lot of subtle rules around contact which can make it seem quite complicated and inaccessible. In the UK Rugby fills an interesting social space. In southern England Rugby Union is a game played by posh schools (and indeed named after one), and remained amateur(ish) until 1995, in Wales it was a working class game and a way-of-life. In northern England they play a completely different game called 'Rugby League' which was always professional, further north in Scotland they play rugby Union again. In Ireland again it is associated with posh schools and English occupation! Occasionally (as is the case this summer) all of the nations team up as the 'British and Irish Lions' to go and take on the mighty All-Blacks of New Zealand, or in other years Australia and South Africa. It does strike me that with several US sports you seem deprived of the drama of regular international competition...

by mnm1 9y ago

jimnotgym 9y ago

Interestingly most of the things I described as illegal, became illegal in the last 20 years. Tackling at top speed, in groups, etc is all fair game in Rugby, and frequent. But since you are not wearing a helmet, you put your head to the side of a player when you tackle! As for getting into Rugby, there are a lot of subtle rules around contact which can make it seem quite complicated and inaccessible. In the UK Rugby fills an interesting social space. In southern England Rugby Union is a game played by posh schools (and indeed named after one), and remained amateur(ish) until 1995, in Wales it was a working class game and a way-of-life. In northern England they play a completely different game called 'Rugby League' which was always professional, further north in Scotland they play rugby Union again. In Ireland again it is associated with posh schools and English occupation! Occasionally (as is the case this summer) all of the nations team up as the 'British and Irish Lions' to go and take on the mighty All-Blacks of New Zealand, or in other years Australia and South Africa. It does strike me that with several US sports you seem deprived of the drama of regular international competition...