Rules and Regulations Football

National Football League
Homepage: http://www.nfl.com/
Rules and regulations: http://www.nfl.com/rulebook

History:
Now consisting of 32 teams from various American cities, the National Football League (NFL) has risen to national and international prestige after more than 80 years of existence. Founded in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, the organization changed its name to NFL in 1922, and since then went on to be rise and be considered as the premier American football league in the world. NFL’s biggest break came about in the 1960s-1970s when intense competition with then rival American Football League (AFL) set in. In the 1970 season, however, a merger with the AFL set in, greatly influencing NFL’s current makeup and geographic expanse, style of play, media coverage, playoffs and championship games. The Super Bowl, the sport’s premier championship game, is perhaps one of AFL’s greatest influence in NFL.

Aside from the Super Bowl, NFL currently administers the American Football Conference, the National Football Conference, and the all-star Pro Bowl held in Hawaii.

American Youth Football
Homepage: http://www.americanyouthfootball.com/index.cfm

History:
American Youth Football, Inc., established in 1996, is an international youth football organization established to promote the wholesome development of youth through their association with adult leaders in the sport of American football. Rules and regulations are established to ensure that players play in an atmosphere of safety with a competitive balance between teams. American Youth Football is on a mission to GIVE BACK to the community. The NFL recognizes this firm commitment and AYF has been made a national youth partner of the National Football League.

Rugby

USA Rugby
Homepage: http://www.usarugby.org/
Rules and regulations: http://www.irb.com/lawregulations/index.html

History:
The first recorded rugby game in the US was played at Cambridge on May 5, 1874 between Harvard University and Montreal’s McGill University. The match between two universities sparked interest among the other colleges and universities nationwide. Rugby’s popularity in the US reached new heights when the national team claimed victories in the 1920 and 1924 Olympic Games. A dormant period, however, ensued after this period as American rugby was heavily affected by the removal of rugby from the Olympic roster of sports. American rugby’s revival came in the 1960s-1970s, with the formation of the national governing body. The United States of America Rugby Football Union, now known as USA Rugby, was created in 1975. To date, USA Rugby consists of seven Territorial Unions (TUs) and 37 Local Area Unions (LAUs),and supports more than 50,000 members.