NFL Rules
The Rules of the National Football League
has been prepared to aid players, fans, and members of the press,
radio, and television media in their understanding of the game.
It is not meant to be a substitute for the
official rule book. In any case of conflict between these explanations
and the official rules, the rules always have precedence.
In order to make it easier to coordinate the
information in this digest, the topics discussed generally follow
the order of the rule book.
Officials'
Jurisdictions, Positions and Duties
Responsibilities and positioning of each game official.
Definitions
Explanations of football terminology.
Summary
of Penalties
Descriptions and categories of infractions.
Field
Descriptions of the field and the rules regarding it.
Ball
Descriptions of the footballs required for each game.
Coin
Toss
Descriptions of the method of conducting the pre-game coin toss
and the choices involved.
Timing
The parameters and responsibilities of rules and monitoring of game
timing.
Sudden
Death
The parameters for deciding tied games in sudden-death overtime.
Timing
in Final Two Minutes of Each Half
Descriptions of time-keeping for the final minutes.
Try
Explanations of extra-point procedures.
Players-Substitutions
Parameters for player participation and substitutions.
Kickoff
Descriptions of kickoff regulations.
Safety
Explanations for kicks after safeties.
Fair
Catch Kick
Explanations for kicks after safeties.
Field
Goal
Field placement of kicks after field-goal attempts.
Safety
The specifications for calling a safety.
Measuring
The ball spot used for measurements.
Position
Of Players At Snap
Requirements for player positioning at scrimmage.
Use
Of Hands, Arms And Body
Rules and exceptions.
Forward
Pass
Explanations applying to the passing game.
Intentional
Grounding Of Forward Pass
Conditions and parameters of this penalty.
Protection
Of Passer
Rules regarding quarterbacks.
Pass
Interference
The rights and restrictions of offensive and defensive players in
pass coverage.
Backward
Pass
The conditions and restrictions of laterals.
Fumble
Restrictions, spots and advancements of fumbles.
Kicks
from Scrimmage
Regulations regarding scrimmage kicks.
Fair
Catch
Parameters for fair catches on punts or kickoffs.
Foul
on Last Play of Half or Game
Specifics for the final-play situation.
Spot
of Enforcement of Foul
Four basic spots from where penalties are marked off.
Double
Foul
The contingencies of double fouls.
Penalty
Enforced on Following Kickoff
The conditions for penalties being tacked onto the following kickoff.
Emergencies
and Unfair Acts
Outlining the authority of the commissioner's office and the referee.
Unfair
Acts
Describes the commissioner's sole authority in dealing with instances
outside the accepted boundaries of conduct.
Removing
Team from Field
The penalties related to teams being removed from the field by any
game personnel other than the referee.
|