Penalty rules changes over the years

[RyanChristiansen]

I’m looking for a resource that lists the penalty rules for the NFL and changes made by year. Anyone have a suggestion for the most complete and credible resource?

[Bryan]

PFRA member 65 Toss Power Trap is the best resource I've found.

[RyanChristiansen]

Thanks, Bryan. I've checked out the Football Zebras site and I've made some inquiries.

[65 toss power trap]

Just to copy my answer to what you also posed in the Football Zebras forum, in case anyone was looking for the same information:

The resources I have used are from unpublished material as well as various margin notes, so it's not something I can point to an online resource, nor can I just publish it in its raw form.

Many of the Wikipedia articles for each season have a source link for that year's rules changes, and the more recent ones of course would have online references. I have found the information in the rules change section to be pretty comprehensive, of course doing some source checking as well.

[Rupert Patrick]

I don't believe there has ever been a book written which documents the penalty changes over the years, or even the rule changes, and how rules and penalties have evolved, but I think it would make a great book topic.

[rhickok1109]

I don't believe there has ever been a book written which documents the penalty changes over the years, or even the rule changes, and how rules and penalties have evolved, but I think it would make a great book topic.

There is such a book for college football, David M. Nelson's Anatomy of a Game. Since NFL and NCAA rules diverged in 1932 (I think?), it's much help for pro football.

But I agree, a book that documented the changes would be a great addition to the literature, especially if it analyzed the changes that were wrought on the field by the rules changes.

[RyanChristiansen]

Thanks, everyone. This helps.