Rules of the Game

This Digest of 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
Descriptions of officials and their game day responsibilities.

Definitions
Explanations of football terminology.

Summary of Penalties
Explanations of different levels of infractions.

Field
Defined parameters for the field of play.

Ball
Required amount of footballs available for each contest.

Coin Toss
Choices involved for pre-game coin toss and for start of second half.

Timing
Appropriate measures for keeping time during contests.

Sudden Death
Rules related to deciding overtime games.

Timing in Final Two Minutes of Each Half
Descriptions of time-keeping for each half's final minutes.

Try
Matters regarding conversions after touchdowns.

Players - Substitutions
Details involving proper player participation and substitutions.

Kickoff
Kickoff regulations.

Safety
Procedures for kicks following safeties.

Fair Catch Kick
Guideline for receiving team for a kick following a safety.

Field Goal
Ball placement after field goal attempts.

Safety
What constitutes a safety. What does not.

Measuring
Description of what part of the ball is used for measurements..

Position Of Players At Snap
Proper player alignment at line-of-scrimmage.

Use Of Hands, Arms And Body
Proper and improper use thereof.

Forward Pass
Measures regarding the passing game.

Intentional Grounding Of Forward Pass
What constitutes intentional grounding.

Protection Of Passer
Measures insuring the safety of the passer.

Pass Interference
Rules and exemptions for all eligible receivers during game play.

Backward Pass
Rules concerning laterals.

Fumble
Spotting, advancing and placing fumbles.

Kicks from Scrimmage
Statutes involving kicks from scrimmage.

Fair Catch
Details fair catches and infractions related thereto.

Foul on Last Play of Half or Game
Infraction on last play scenarios.

Spot of Enforcement of Foul
Where the ball is to be spotted.

Double Foul
Regarding fouls committed by both teams on a given play.

Penalty Enforced on Following Kickoff
Situations for assessing penalties on following kickoff.

Emergencies and Unfair Acts
Policies and authorities of the Commissioner and referees regarding emergencies and unfair acts.

Unfair Acts
Commissioner's authority and penalties associated with acts outside the realm of good sportsmanship.

Removing Team from Field
Potential penalties in reference to teams being removed from the field any official other than the referee.