Quote:
Originally Posted by cashman
No whats a down? Touchdown or what? if so seems like rugby to me.  |
Maybe a little like Rugby League ... in the Canadian game, the team which has the football has three "downs" ... or attempts ... to move the ball forward 10 yards. They can pass the ball, or run it. If they make the ten yards, it's a first down. And they start over. If they don't make the 10 yds., they have to give up the football, usually punting it. Or if they are close enough to the uprights (a rugby-like goal), they can attempt a field goal ... a good kicker can score from up to 50 yds. out. As in the US game, a touchdown is 6 points. It's very similar to the US game, but the larger field, and three downs instead of four makes for a more exciting, wide open, passing game ... well, in the opinion of Canadian fans. The game is big in Saskatchewan, where I spent many years, because the Riders are the only professional sports team in the province. Saskatchewan is about two-and-a-half times bigger than England, yet has a population of less than a million. Fans feel very close to their team, a lot like how Stanley fans feel about their team, and travel hundreds of kms to watch the Riders' home games at Taylor Field in Regina. True fans wear watermelons on their heads
, and cheer long and loud, led by the official mascot, Gainer the Gopher. Weird, I know; but lots of fun.