rulebook

A rulebook is a formal document that specifies the rules, guidelines, and procedures for a particular activity, competition, or organization. It defines the scope, terms, and the governing framework that participants must follow. Rulebooks are used in sports, board and role-playing games, and organizational governance. They describe the playing field or court, equipment, turn order, timing and scoring, and the actions that constitute compliance or violation.

Typically, rulebooks include sections on definitions, rules, penalties and sanctions, procedures for conduct and dispute resolution, procedures for amendments, and appendices with diagrams or forms. They provide the authoritative reference used by players, officials, organizers, and administrators to interpret situations that arise during play or operation.

The primary purposes are to ensure fairness, safety, consistency, and predictability; to provide authority for officials and organizers; and to serve as a reference for participants, coaches, players, judges, and administrators. Rulebooks are usually issued by a governing body or publisher and are revised periodically to reflect changes in practice, technology, or policy. They coexist with manuals and codes of conduct, but focus on operational rules rather than governance or behavior. Examples include the laws that govern a sport, official rules for a game, or the rule systems used in tabletop or role-playing games.