RULE NO. 14—COMMENTS ON THE RULES
Section I. Guides for Administration and Application of the Rules
Each official should have a definite and clear conception of his overall responsibility to include the intent and purpose of each rule. If all officials possess the same conception there will be a guaranteed uniformity in the administration of all contests.
The restrictions placed upon the player by the rules are intended to create a balance of play, equal opportunity for the defense and the offense, to provide reasonable safety and protection, and to emphasize cleverness and skill without unduly limiting freedom of action of player or team.
The primary purpose of penalties is to compensate a player who has been placed at a disadvantage through an illegal act of an opponent. A secondary purpose is to restrain players from committing acts which, if ignored, might lead to roughness even though they do not affect the immediate play. To implement this philosophy, many of the rules are written in general terms while the need for the rule may have been created by specific play situations. This practice eliminates the necessity for many additional rules and provides the officials the latitude and authority to adapt application of the rules to fit conditions of play in any particular game.
