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The NFL's schedule of infractions and fines, and a process for appeal.
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Honoring the league’s commitment to serve the communities where the game is played.
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Countdown to kickoff: how NFL games happen.
In the NFL, balancing technology with tradition.
How television has changed the game.
Upon further review…
It takes hundreds of computers and four NFL executives to create the NFL's 256-game masterpiece.
Learn how NFL players have changed over time, how they’re developed and drafted and how the league works with them after their playing days are over.
Creating an NFL player: from “everyman” to “superman.”
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Introducing the next wave of NFL superstars.
A look at the programs the NFL and its partners provide to help every player before, during and after his football career.
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Discover the evolution of professional officiating, the weekly evaluation process and how the NFL identifies and develops the next generation of officials.
“One thing hasn’t changed: the pressure. It will always be there.”
The latest information from the NFL's officiating command center.
Every week, officials take the field ready to put months of preparation, training and hard work on display, knowing that the whole world — and the Officiating Department — is watching.
Officiating an NFL game takes years of training and experience.
NFL Football Operations protects the integrity of the game by ensuring that the rules and the officiating are consistent and fair to all competitors.
The custodians of football not only have protected its integrity, but have also revised its playing rules to protect the players, and to make the games fairer and more entertaining.
Explore the official rules of the game.
The NFL Video Rulebook explains NFL rules with video examples.
The NFL's procedures for breaking ties for postseason playoffs.
The NFL's familiar hand signals help fans better understand the game.
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See where the players line up in pro football's most common offensive and defensive formations.
Understand what the graphics on NFL television broadcasts mean and how they can help you get the most out of watching NFL games.
The NFL’s instant replay review process focuses on expediting instant replay reviews and ensuring consistency. Learn how it works.
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During week 2 of the 2015 preseason, the NFL will experiment with eight officials on the field of play. The league has used seven-person officiating crews since adding the side judge to crews in 1978.
Learn more about the history of NFL Officials.
During week 2 of the preseason, the league will be testing an additional official in the field of play and whether that eighth official will help improve the officiating process.
“We are going to look at positioning the eighth official in a couple of different areas,” said NFL Vice President of Officiating Dean Blandino. “We want to try to fill some of the holes that may happen in specific situations over the course of a game.”
The extra crew member will be tested in 13 of the weekend’s 16 games. In eight games, the extra official will be positioned in the offensive backfield, joining the referee and the umpire. From this location, the “U2” will focus on the center pre-snap and the guard and tackle on the side of the formation closest to where he or she is positioned.
Positioning for the "U2" official.
In five games, the extra official will line up approximately 20 yards downfield from the line of scrimmage. From there, the “CJ” or “center judge” will focus on the center and two guards, with a particular emphasis on spotting defensive holding penalties.
Positioning for the "CJ" official.
“In order to apply the rules correctly on Sundays, you have to be in the right place at the right time,” said Al Riveron, Senior Director of Officiating.
Blandino’s staff will collect feedback and evaluate the experiment from the 13 games. The results potentially may determine that additional testing is needed. When they have enough information, they may decide to keep the current crews at seven officials, or to recommend to the NFL’s Competition Committee that the league add an eighth official on game days.
The experiment is part of the NFL Officiating Department’s commitment to constantly exploring and improving all areas of officiating.