CFL For Dummies
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by user Erooster
This post is designed to help those who don't understand the differences between the CFL and the NFL, or just those that want to know a little more. I am not going to go too in depth in this discussion, but just highlight some of the major differences with some added points. After going through the rule book and personal observances, I decided to just touch on "The Game", "The Players", "The Field", "The Ball", and "Tie Game". If there is further interest in this post, then I will elaborate or cover other topics in later discussions.
First, "The Game". In the CFL, the offense has only three downs to make 10 yards, instead of the four in the NFL (or five, if you are the Colorado Buffalos in 1990). The scoring of the CFL is the same as the scoring in the NFL, except for the 'single'. A single is scored on either a punt or on a missed field goal. On a field goal, the defense has a player or more in the end zone to catch the kick, if missed. The ball can then be returned from the point of the catch. If the ball can not be returned, the offense is awarded a single. A single can also be awarded on an un-returnable punt or if the punt bounces in the end zone, then bounces out of the back or out of the sides of the end zone.
Second, "The Players". The current salary cap in the CFL is $3.8M per team. Each team is allowed 75 players on contract during the off-season, this is paired down to 68 players for training camp. The regular season roster itself is divided into three main parts, the 'Active Roster', the 'Game Roster', and the 'Practice Roster'. Each team is allowed 42 active players during the season with a four-man reserve roster. At game time, a team can have 39 players suited, 3 of these players must be quarterbacks. Of the 36 other players, no more than 17 players can be import players. An import player is defined as: "A player who has received training in football outside of Canada by having participated as a player in a football game outside of Canada prior to attaining the age of seventeen years". Or, as: "A player who has received training in football outside of Canada by having participated as a player in a football game outside of Canada after attaining the age of seventeen years, but who received no football training in Canada prior to attaining the age of seventeen years". Each team is allowed a maximum of 7 players on their reserve roster, one of which must be a non-import player. This number can increase to 12 for the 30 days that the NFL is cutting down their rosters.
Third, "The Field". The CFL field is 110 yards long by 65 yards wide. The end zone is 20 yards deep. The goal posts are near the goal line. According to the rulebook, the front of the goal post can be no further from the goal line than 75 inches (6 feet 3 inches).
Fourth, "The Ball". The CFL ball is easily distinguished from the NFL ball. A one-inch white stripe must start at 3 inches from the points of the football. The official football is the Wilson CFL Official Game Ball, with the CFL Commissioner's signature embossed.
And fifth, "Tie Game". If the game is tied at the end of the game, each team starts on their opponents 35-yard line and tries to score from there. Each team is allowed a chance. If the score is still tied, then a second try from the 35-yard line will commence. If it is still tied after two tries for each team, then the game is scored as a tie. In the event of a playoff or Grey Cup game, each team will continue tries from the 35 until a winner is established.
I hope that this will help some of you in understanding the game and maybe pique some interest in watching a game.
Date
Sun 07/16/06, 8:56 pm EST
