Official Rules of the NFL

The National Football League is arguably one of the most popular sports leagues in the world. It is host to American rules football, which culminates in a championship game called the Super Bowl. As is with most professional sports, there are official rules that govern the gameplay. This article will highlight some of the more interesting official rules of NFL football.

Instant replay is a tool that helps NFL officials make correct calls in key plays. It was once used in the defunct USFL and had limited use in NFL games during 1986. In 1996, instant replay was brought back as a permanent part of officiating. NFL rules permit instant replay to be used on all scoring plays, questionable possession plays and plays where the spot of the ball can be questioned. After the two-minute warning, instant replay can only be used if the on-field referee alerts the replay assistant in the press box.

The challenge flag is related to the instant replay rules. Coaches who feel that an on-field call by the referee is incorrect can throw a challenge flag onto the field. This will cause a game stoppage, and the referee has 60 seconds to review the play through a special monitor and make a decision. If the referee does not overturn the original call, the coach automatically loses a timeout for the half. The challenge must be thrown before the beginning of the next play.

Pass interference occurs if either the receiver or the defender physically interferes with the opposing player's ability to catch the ball. This includes pushing, pulling, hitting the hands or tackling the opponent before the ball is touched by either person. If the ball does contact either player, they are both permitted to physically interfere with the catch. Sometimes interference calls are controversial because incidental contact is subject to a referee's judgment. The NFL permits contact between players within five yards of the scrimmage line.

The Tuck Rule is a rule that applies to a special passing situation for quarterbacks. If the quarterback in mid-pass decides to change his mind and loses possession of the ball while attempting to "tuck" it close to his body, it is not considered a fumble. It is considered a forward pass, which doesn't count the loss of possession as a fumble and is seen as an incomplete pass.

Players are able to kick field goals and extra points through a method known as the drop kick. It is a rarely used technique because of the ball's pointed ends. The snapper would snap the ball backwards to the kicker. The kicker can drop the ball onto the field for at least one bounce before catching it and kicking it between the goals. The technique had not been used in 60 years until NFL Quarterback Doug Flutie performed it successfully in 2006.