Being a casual fan of professional sports, I probably favor (United States) football and hockey over any other options available to me. At this point in the National Football League (NFL), the final teams are gearing up for the "big game" to determine who is the champion for the season. I hesitate to say "world champion" since this is a statement that I have never understood. I mean, what other countries are actually participating this season?
At the heart of any sport, is a collection of rules. A rule book. Albeit quite involved, the goal is to establish guidelines for the sport and provide a central point where competitors can comprehend what is considered legal play and what is considered an infraction.