SIX SPORTS · EXPLAINED FROM ZERO · CURRENT TO THE 2026 SEASON

Playbook

The rules, positions and plays of six sports, drawn to scale, animated in 3D and explained in plain English. No experience needed: pick a sport and start from the first whistle.

Pick a sport

THE SLATE6 PLATES · 55 VISUALS

  1. 01FootballDowns · formations · coverages
  2. 02BaseballPitching · hitting · fielding
  3. 03BasketballSpacing · actions · coverages
  4. 04SoccerFormations · pressing · buildup
  5. 05VolleyballRotations · systems · serving
  6. 06GolfClubs · shot shapes · course management
RULEBOOK WATCH
NFLOnside kicks at any timeNFLKickoff setup-zone tweakNFLReplay help on ejectionsNFLTouchbacks on kickoffs to the 35NFLBoth teams get the ball in overtimeMLBABS challenge system in every gameMLBA strike zone set by heightMLBPitch timer 15 / 18 secondsMLBShift limits and bigger basesMLBTwo disengagements per plate appearanceNBAThe “heave rule”NBAFaster coach’s challengesNBA“High-five” foulsNBANBA Cup semifinals go homeNBAThe “3-2-1” lotteryIFABFive-second countdown on throw-ins and goal kicksIFAB10 seconds to leave when substitutedIFABOne minute off after on-field treatmentIFABMore for VARIFABThe goalkeeper’s eight secondsIFABCaptain-only zoneFIVBServing team can stand anywhereFIVBPositional faults after the serveFIVBNo coordinated screeningFIVBThe antenna planeUSGA · R&ANew Model Local RulesUSGA · R&AThe golf-ball rollbackUSGA · R&AFriendlier rulesUSGA · R&AThree-minute search, knee-height drops

The plates

Six sports. One way to learn them.

Every plate is written for someone who has never watched the sport, and deep enough that fans still find something new.

PLATE 01 Football Downs · formations · coverages Q1Q2Q3Q4OT 16 sections15 interactive visuals220 concepts PLATE 02 Baseball Pitching · hitting · fielding 1ST4TH7TH10TH 12 sections11 interactive visuals154 concepts PLATE 03 Basketball Spacing · actions · coverages Q1Q2Q3Q4OT 13 sections9 interactive visuals162 concepts PLATE 04 Soccer Formations · pressing · buildup 1H2HETPENS 13 sections8 interactive visuals154 concepts PLATE 05 Volleyball Rotations · systems · serving SET 1SET 2SET 3SET 4SET 5 12 sections6 interactive visuals123 concepts PLATE 06 Golf Clubs · shot shapes · course management FRONT 9BACK 918TH19TH 13 sections6 interactive visuals160 concepts

How a plate is played

Four periods, in order.

Each page is split into periods, just like the game. A progress bar fills as you read, so you always know where you are.

  1. Q1THE WORDS

    Start with the twenty-odd words everything else assumes, each one defined in a sentence, and explained again wherever it shows up.

  2. Q2THE FIELD

    Orbit a to-scale 3D stadium, then flip on the layers of a regulation diagram: every line, zone and measurement labelled.

  3. Q3THE PLAYS

    Formations, routes, rotations and strategy as animated diagrams you can scrub, replay and drag, the way coaches draw them.

  4. Q4THE RULEBOOK

    What changed for the 2026 season, a searchable glossary and links straight to the official rules.

Rulebook watch

What changed this season.

One headline change per sport. Each plate lists the rest, with links to the official rulebooks.

Football2026 seasonOnside kicks at any timeA team may now declare an onside kick at any point in the game. Previously it was allowed only in the fourth quarter. It still has to be declared, with the special onside alignment.Baseball2026 seasonABS challenge system in every gameUmpires still call balls and strikes, but the batter, pitcher or catcher can challenge immediately by tapping the helmet or cap, with no help from the dugout. Each team starts with two challenges and keeps any it wins; after two failed challenges it has none left. A team out of challenges gets one for each extra inning. The replay is shown on the videoboard.Basketball2025–26 seasonThe “heave rule”A shot from 36 feet or more in the last three seconds of the first, second or third quarter now counts as a team shot attempt, not the player’s, so players stop avoiding end-of-quarter heaves to protect their percentages.Soccer2026/27 LawsFive-second countdown on throw-ins and goal kicksIf a team deliberately delays a throw-in or goal kick, the referee shows a visible five-second countdown. Too slow: the throw-in goes to the opponents, or the goal kick becomes a corner kick for them.Volleyball2025–2028 rulesServing team can stand anywhereAt the moment of the serve, only the receiving team has to be in rotational order. Players on the serving team may take any position, so they can start in their defensive spots.Golf2028 (elite) · 2030 (everyone)The golf-ball rollbackBalls will be tested at a 125 mph clubhead speed (up from 120), 2,200 rpm spin and an 11° launch. Elite competitions adopt it in 2028 and recreational golf in 2030. Most amateurs will lose only a few yards.

Playbook is a Safi Solutions project, turning complicated things simple. Dimensions and rules follow the official NFL, MLB, NBA, IFAB, FIVB and USGA/R&A documents cited on every plate.