Published in 1994, David M. Nelson’s “The Anatomy of a Game” is the definitive account of how the rules of football evolved from a chaotic scrum into the intricate game we know today. As a longtime coach and the Secretary-Editor of the NCAA Football Rules Committee, Nelson possessed an unmatched understanding of the sport’s mechanics.
This book masterfully explains the “why” behind every rule. Nelson connects each major strategic innovation, from the single wing to the wishbone, to the specific rule changes that allowed them to flourish. He details the crises, such as the violence of the early 1900s, that forced the game’s leaders to adapt and innovate. This work goes beyond simple history to explain the very structure of the sport. It is an essential text for understanding the deep relationship between rules and strategy, making it a cornerstone of any college football history library. 🏈
This book is available at the Internet Archive. Simply search for its name.
