Field
Canadian:
110 yards long by 65 yards wide
American:
100 yards long by 53⅓ yards wide
End zone
Canadian:
10 yards
American:
20 yards
Ball size
Canadian:
20⅞ to 21⅛ inches
(530 to 537 mm), long circumference: 27¾
to 28¼ inches (705 to 718 mm).
American:
short circumference: 20¾ to 21¾ inches (527 to 540 mm), long circumference:
27¾ to 28⅛ inches
(705 to 714 mm).
Team size
Canadian:
12 players
American:
11 players
Number of downs
Canadian: 3
American: 4
Scrimmage
Canadian: a
full yard. But if a team has possession within one yard of either goal line,
the line of scrimmage is moved to the one-yard line.
American:
11 inches
Fair catch
Canadian:
it does not exist. Instead no player from the kicking team, except the kicker
or any player who was behind him, may approach within five yards of the ball
until it has been touched by an opponent. If they do, a "no yards"
penalty is called against the kicking team. Penalties for "no yards"
calls vary on whether the ball made contact with the ground or not. 5 yards if
the ball has bounced and 15 if the ball is caught in the air
American:
if a player thinks, he will be unable to advance the ball after catching it, he
may signal for a fair catch by waving his hand in the air. The opposing team
must allow him to attempt to catch the ball cleanly; if he is interfered with,
the team covering the kick will be penalized fifteen yards
Motion at the snap
Canadian:
all backfields players, except the quarterback can move in any direction as
long as they are behind the line of scrimmage at the snap.
American:
only one player can be in motion
Time rules
Canadian:
always have 20 seconds. 2 timeouts
American:
usually the offensive team must run a play within 25. Usually three timeouts.
Out of bounds
Canadian:
the play ends with possession going to the team to last contact the ball in
bounds.
American:
the last team to have clear possession of the football is awarded possession,
unless the ball goes out of the back or side of the end zone.
Point after touchdown
Canadian:
Point-after-touchdown attempts are taken from the 5-yard-line
American:
Point-after-touchdown attempts are taken from the 2-yard-line
