In the United States, summertime is when teams get prepared to play football. NFL teams start training camp, and college teams start practice. North of the border in Canada, however, summertime is when their professional football season begins in the form of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
The CFL is almost as old as the NFL, coming into existence in'30. The league's Grey Cup championship trophy is even older, having been awarded to the best Canadian professional football team since'09. There have been a number of NFL stars who got their start in the CFL including Doug Flutie, Randall Cunningham and Jeff Garcia.
While the CFL plays football at the highest professional level of competition outside of the NFL, there are a few differences in the game:
The most obvious difference is the football itself--the CFL football is longer and fatter than the NFL ball. The CFL still has their goal posts on the goal line, which the NFL moved to the back of the end zone years ago. The field is 10 yards longer and 12 yards wider than the NFL field, and the CFL end zones are 20 yards deep instead of the NFL's 10 yards.
CFL teams are allowed an extra offensive player (a wide receiver), and on defense they're allowed an extra defensive back. This means that 12 players can be on the field at one time as opposed to 11 in the NFL. CFL football also differs in that teams only have three downs to gain ten yards, as opposed to four in US football. The phrase "two and out" is as commonplace in CFL football as is "three and out" in the US game.
There are also differences in the scoring of the game. The first time I saw a CFL score tied 1-1 at the end of the first quarter I thought I was hallucinating. A major rule difference between the CFL and NFL is the fact that teams can score a single point, which those clever Canadians call a single. Basically, a team is awarded a single point for a missed field goal or a punt that lands in the end zone.
Of all the rule differences between the NFL and CFL the one that has the most significance on the game isnt enforced on the field; its enforced in the GMs office. Canadians are big on laws and rules to protect their national identity--thats why their TV and radio stations are required to devote a certain percentage of their airplay to Canadian content. That has led to a number of Canadian-only media stars both good (The Tragically Hip, Sloan) and bad (Avril Lavigne, early 90s white rapper Snow). The CFL has a similar rule which requires that' of the 40 players on a roster must be Canadian born. This keeps the CFL from becoming a de facto NFL developmental league, and helps maintain its unique identity.
Many US football fans look at the rules that include more players, a wider field, and fewer downs meant to encourage more passing and expect to see a wide open high scoring style of play similar to Arena Football. That's not really how it works out--most games end up with final score totals in the 40's, but the game itself really isn't much more offensively oriented than its American counterpart. The rules may be different, but as in the NFL you need a solid rushing game and a stout defense to win games and championships.
There's also more parity in the CFL than even the NFL, which is famous for the competitive equality of their teams. The reason is fairly simple--football at the high school and college level in Canada simply isn't as competitive as in the US. That means the mandated ratio of native players also serves to facilitate parity within the CFL.
Among the 'non-Canadians' on the team, its also important to note that the CFL doesn't get the highest level US college players. Most with NFL ability are in the NFL, or on a NFL team's practice or developmental squad. There's definitely some American players that are uniquely suited to the CFL game, but the general level of talent is similar to that seen in the Arena Football League.
Despite the differences between the CFL and American football, at the end of the day its still high level, professional football. Once you understand the unique aspects of the CFL, it'll become second nature much as NFL viewers quickly assimilate rule changes there.
In the pre-Internet era, it was often difficult for US fans to find information on the CFL. They don't get coverage on ESPN, but they receive extensive attention in the Canadian press. Each CFL city has their own sports media, and the official CFL website also has many resources including previews and statistics.
The CFL is almost as old as the NFL, coming into existence in'30. The league's Grey Cup championship trophy is even older, having been awarded to the best Canadian professional football team since'09. There have been a number of NFL stars who got their start in the CFL including Doug Flutie, Randall Cunningham and Jeff Garcia.
While the CFL plays football at the highest professional level of competition outside of the NFL, there are a few differences in the game:
The most obvious difference is the football itself--the CFL football is longer and fatter than the NFL ball. The CFL still has their goal posts on the goal line, which the NFL moved to the back of the end zone years ago. The field is 10 yards longer and 12 yards wider than the NFL field, and the CFL end zones are 20 yards deep instead of the NFL's 10 yards.
CFL teams are allowed an extra offensive player (a wide receiver), and on defense they're allowed an extra defensive back. This means that 12 players can be on the field at one time as opposed to 11 in the NFL. CFL football also differs in that teams only have three downs to gain ten yards, as opposed to four in US football. The phrase "two and out" is as commonplace in CFL football as is "three and out" in the US game.
There are also differences in the scoring of the game. The first time I saw a CFL score tied 1-1 at the end of the first quarter I thought I was hallucinating. A major rule difference between the CFL and NFL is the fact that teams can score a single point, which those clever Canadians call a single. Basically, a team is awarded a single point for a missed field goal or a punt that lands in the end zone.
Of all the rule differences between the NFL and CFL the one that has the most significance on the game isnt enforced on the field; its enforced in the GMs office. Canadians are big on laws and rules to protect their national identity--thats why their TV and radio stations are required to devote a certain percentage of their airplay to Canadian content. That has led to a number of Canadian-only media stars both good (The Tragically Hip, Sloan) and bad (Avril Lavigne, early 90s white rapper Snow). The CFL has a similar rule which requires that' of the 40 players on a roster must be Canadian born. This keeps the CFL from becoming a de facto NFL developmental league, and helps maintain its unique identity.
Many US football fans look at the rules that include more players, a wider field, and fewer downs meant to encourage more passing and expect to see a wide open high scoring style of play similar to Arena Football. That's not really how it works out--most games end up with final score totals in the 40's, but the game itself really isn't much more offensively oriented than its American counterpart. The rules may be different, but as in the NFL you need a solid rushing game and a stout defense to win games and championships.
There's also more parity in the CFL than even the NFL, which is famous for the competitive equality of their teams. The reason is fairly simple--football at the high school and college level in Canada simply isn't as competitive as in the US. That means the mandated ratio of native players also serves to facilitate parity within the CFL.
Among the 'non-Canadians' on the team, its also important to note that the CFL doesn't get the highest level US college players. Most with NFL ability are in the NFL, or on a NFL team's practice or developmental squad. There's definitely some American players that are uniquely suited to the CFL game, but the general level of talent is similar to that seen in the Arena Football League.
Despite the differences between the CFL and American football, at the end of the day its still high level, professional football. Once you understand the unique aspects of the CFL, it'll become second nature much as NFL viewers quickly assimilate rule changes there.
In the pre-Internet era, it was often difficult for US fans to find information on the CFL. They don't get coverage on ESPN, but they receive extensive attention in the Canadian press. Each CFL city has their own sports media, and the official CFL website also has many resources including previews and statistics.
About the Author:
Ross Everett is a freelance writer and noted authority on sports betting odds comparison. He writing has appeared on a variety of sports sites including sportsbooks and betting odds portal sites. He lives in Southern Nevada with three Jack Russell Terriers and a kangaroo. He is currently working on an autobiography of former interior secretary James Watt.
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