| rule_number,rule_text,section,category | |
| 1.1,"The game is played by two teams of 11 players each on a rectangular field 120 yards long and 53⅓ yards wide with goal lines 100 yards apart.",Field and Equipment,Basic Game | |
| 1.2,"The objective of the game is to advance the ball into the opponent's end zone by running or passing plays.",Field and Equipment,Basic Game | |
| 2.1,"A down begins when the ball is put in play and ends when the ball becomes dead. A new down begins when the ball is next put in play.",Definitions,Downs | |
| 2.2,"The offensive team has four consecutive downs to advance the ball 10 yards. If successful, they earn a new set of four downs.",Definitions,Downs | |
| 3.1,"A forward pass is a pass thrown from behind or on the line of scrimmage toward the opponent's goal line.",Definitions,Passing | |
| 3.2,"Only one forward pass is permitted during each play from scrimmage, and it must be thrown from behind the line of scrimmage.",Definitions,Passing | |
| 4.1,"A fumble is the loss of player possession of the ball during a play from scrimmage.",Ball in Play,Fumbles | |
| 4.2,"A muffed ball is the touching of a loose ball by a player in an unsuccessful attempt to secure possession.",Ball in Play,Fumbles | |
| 5.1,"A player is out of bounds when any part of his person touches anything other than a player or an official on or outside a boundary line.",Players and Equipment,Boundaries | |
| 5.2,"The ball is out of bounds when it touches a boundary line or anything on or outside such line.",Players and Equipment,Boundaries |