Where are all the NFL rulebooks?

March 11, 2015 4:39 PM

It seems like current, official NFL rulebooks just aren't out there!? Could that possibly be correct? The most recent version on the NFL website is 2013. There must have been rule changes last year, right? I'm happy to pay for it if such a thing exists. Does anyone know where I can find one? Or why I can't find one? I don't want to do anything crazy with it, just dork out in the most up-to-date fashion possible. Thanks!
posted by zibra to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (2 answers total)

Not sure if this is helpful, but I've always heard that the current rulebook is only available to the officials. I spent some time searching and can't find a reputable cite for the fact, though I've heard it mentioned a few times over the years of listening to analysis.

Maybe tweet at Mike Tanier, he's very responsive to inquisitive fans.
posted by So You're Saying These Are Pants? at 6:40 PM on March 11, 2015

Are there rules or rules and interpretations available in the 2013 version ? I ask because in sports I've officiated, the rule book is important, but there have been secondary documents that are the interpretations (ie gives scenarios and examples) that are more key to making officiating decisions and understanding how the rules are applied. (cf NCAA's rulebooks are horrible, the interpretation manual is where everything is .. )

(plus, at least in some sports, there's a lot of unwritten interpretations based on things director/head wants to focus on or not focus on/things to overlook.)
posted by k5.user at 8:42 AM on March 12, 2015