Editorial & Verification Policy
Last updated: August 31, 2026
This editorial policy establishes the research protocols, primary sourcing criteria, fact-checking workflows, and corrections standards applied across the Laws of Sport reference codex.
1. Primary Source Verification & Statutory Grounding
Every rule explanation, field dimension, and statistical record published on Laws of Sport is verified directly against the official, current statutory rulebooks of the respective world governing bodies.
Our primary reference sources include the International Football Association Board (IFAB Laws of the Game), the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC 42 Laws of Cricket), the International Cricket Council (ICC Playing Conditions), the International Tennis Federation (ITF Rules of Tennis), the International Basketball Federation (FIBA Official Basketball Rules), and the National Basketball Association (NBA Operations Rulebook).
We do not rely on second-hand summaries or unverified reporting. Where rules vary between jurisdictions (e.g. FIBA vs. NBA court dimensions and shot clock resets), differences are explicitly highlighted with side-by-side calibration tables.
2. Fact-Checking & Technical Accuracy Standards
Our editorial workflow subjects every technical article, mathematical probability model, and tactical diagram to rigorous pre-publication fact-checking.
Dimensional blueprints are calibrated in both Metric and Imperial units to millimeter tolerances certified by official venue guidelines. Historical milestones and tournament records are cross-audited against certified federation archives (such as FIFA, RSSSF, Wisden, ITF, and NBA Official Statistics).
Technical officiating articles covering optical sensor tracking, semi-automated offside technology (SAOT), and the Decision Review System (DRS) are verified against engineering documentation and governing-body testing protocols.
3. Editorial Independence & Non-Affiliation
Laws of Sport operates as a strictly independent sports reference encyclopedia. Our editorial assessments, rule interpretations, and historical analyses are produced without interference or commercial bias.
We do not accept paid consideration to promote sporting outcomes, gambling or sportsbook platforms, equipment manufacturers, or commercial sponsors. All editorial contributors are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest prior to publishing.
4. Corrections & Regulatory Amendments Policy
Sporting codes evolve continuously as governing bodies introduce annual amendments, technology guidelines, and trial rules. Our editorial team monitors annual general meetings (such as the IFAB AGM and MCC Rule Committee updates) to ensure our codex reflects active laws.
When an error, ambiguity, or regulatory change is identified, we update the affected page promptly. Articles display a prominent "Last Reviewed" date timestamp and reference the specific rulebook edition.
If you identify a discrepancy or outdated statutory reference, we encourage you to contact our editorial desk so our researchers can verify and correct the entry.
5. Author Expertise & Contributor Credentials
All analytical articles and rule guides are written and reviewed by qualified contributors with documented expertise in sports rules, officiating jurisprudence, turf agronomy, or sports analytics.
Every published piece features a named author byline linked to an author profile page detailing their credentials, background, and specific domain of coverage.
6. Submitting Feedback & Inquiries
We welcome inquiries from referees, governing body officials, coaches, players, and sports law researchers.
To submit a correction request, clarification, or editorial query, please visit our Contact page or email editorial@lawsofsports.com.