American Rules vs Canadian Rules

An update to some of you readers who visit throughout the season. I will be writing on various topics relating to high school football roughly twice a week from now until Jul when the full season previews will be in full swing. Hope you enjoy the articles. The 2005 archives can be found on the links to the right as well as my early pre-season previews and the preview pages.

The history of how BC High School Football came to play American rules is well documented. Vancouver College was the first school in the province to play Football and the brothers that brought the game to VC were American and naturally used American rules. Since those early beginnings, BC High School Football would continue to play American rules to this day. While the rest of Canada elects to play some form of Canadian rules Football at the High School level, BC is the only province to play American rules. Let's take a look more closely at the advantages and disadvantages of using either Canadian or American rules for Football at the high school level in BC (see the 13man for comparison of the actual rules).

Why Canadian rules??

Canadian rules allow for more development athletically for high-school athletes. The wider field forces all players to be more athletic. Quarterbacks need to scramble more and throw on the run. Running backs can use the wider field to sweep and go around the ends using their athleticism to their advantage. Linemen need to be much quicker with the extra yard in-between opposing linemen.

Most kids start out playing Canadian rules in Community Football, so it's natural they continue playing Canadian rules in High School. In fact, some kids play both so going from Canadian to American back to Canadian can be very confusing. Same goes for the officials, who need to remember 2 sets of rules.

If we're grooming these high school prospects for the CFL, shouldn't they start playing Canadian rules to begin with?

Why American Rules??

American rules are more condusive to High School Football since 4 down football allows a less athletic, but well coached team a better chance to succeed. Most High School football is 70%+ run, 3.3 yds per carry is much more attainable than 5+ yds per carry in Canadian rules.

Playing American rules in High School will allow players looking for US College hopefuls a better chance to earn a spot. American College Football coaches don't give Canadian rules much time of day, it's a farce to them.

Majority of the most successful CFL players in today's game are from the US and played American rules.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, both would be suitable for High School Football in BC, but personally I do prefer the American rules to the Canadian rules. The Canadian rules are great to watch at the professional level where the average difference between the most and least athletic players isn't that significant. In addition, since many teams play exhibition games against teams from Washington State, it makes more sense to keep the American rules so that those exhibition games can continue to make our players and teams better.

Let us know what you think, post away...