Rugby and American football are very similar sports but are also quite different. In both sports, there are competing teams whose goal is to cross the opposing team's goal line with an oval ball or kick it through goalposts. The team that does not have control of the ball tries to get the ball by tackling or taking the ball away to prevent their opponent from scoring. Some of the main differences are the number of players on the field, the type of equipment used, as well as the amount of points awarded for scoring.