The American refinements to English rugby rules included: reducing the number of players from 15 to 11; assigning players to specific positions; changing rules for running, kicking and passing the ball; and replacing the rugby huddles, or “scrummage,” with a clearly defined line of “scrimmage.” As the game became Americanized, it focused more on speed and finesse—with a new emphasis on passing—and away from brute force and roughness.

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