This just enables bad calls:
This foul requires that there be at least one indicator of targeting (See Note 1 below). When in question, it is a foul (Rules 2-27-14 and 9-6). (A.R. 9-1-4-I-VI)
Yes, I broke this down similarly earlier this season. The rules are written incredibly poorly and in such a way that pretty much every big hit can be interpreted to be targeted.
Make no mistake, this was intentional so that the NCAA can stick its head in the sand and cry willful ignorance in case there is ever a concussion lawsuit.
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Most people don't know this, but there are actually TWO targeting rules in the handbook. The NCAA, etc., hasn't been clear about this at all. I'm a nerd who downloads the NCAA handbook and rulebook every year because I think it's important for me to fully understand this stuff if I'm going to criticize it. Some excerpts below...
Rule 9-1-3: Targeting and Making Forcible Contact With the Crown of the Helmet
No player shall target and make forcible contact against an opponent with the crown of their helmet (aka 6-in. radius of helmet).
This foul requires that there be
at least one indicator of targeting.
When in question, it is a foul. ----->
This is where aggressive teams (e.g., Miami) get screwed
Rule 9-1-4: Targeting and MakingForcible Contact to Head or Neck Area of a Defenseless Player
No player shall target and make forcible contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent with the
helmet, forearm, hand, fist, elbow or shoulder.
This foul requires that there be
at least one indicator of targeting. When in question, it is a foul.
Note 1: “Targeting” means that a player takes aim at an opponent for purposes of attacking with forcible contact that goes beyond making a legal tackle or a legal block or playing the ball.
Some indicators of targeting include but are not limited to:
• Launch. A player leaving their feet to attack an opponent by an upward and forward thrust of the body to make forcible contact in the head or neck area.
• A crouch followed by an upward and forward thrust to attack with forcible contact at the head or neck area, even though one or both feet are still on the ground.
• Leading with helmet, shoulder, forearm, fist, hand or elbow to attack with forcible contact at the head or neck area.
• Lowering the head before attacking by initiating forcible contact with the crown of the helmet.
Note 2: When in question, a player is defenseless.
Examples of defenseless players include but are not limited to:
• A player in the act of or just after throwing a pass. This includes an offensive player in a passing posture with focus downfield.
• A receiver attempting to catch a forward pass or in position to receive a backward pass, or one who has completed a catch and has not had time to protect themselves or has not clearly become a ball carrier.
• A kicker in the act of or just after kicking a ball, or during the kick or the return.
• A kick returner attempting to catch or recover a kick, or one who has completed a catch or recovery and has not had time to protect themselves or has not clearly become a ball carrier.
• A player on the ground.
• A player obviously out of the play
TLDR: The rules are written so that anything and everything is targeting, and if the refs don't know if it is is targeting, THEN IT IS TARGETING!!!
I watched other games the last few weeks and I saw instances where the tackler's helmet crashed with the opponent's helmet and after the refs reviewed the tackle, they waived off targeting claiming the ball carrier had initiated a "football move" after securing the ball and after the tackler had made his position to initiate the tackle. This was a new one on me, assuming the targeting rules must have been revised this past off-season. At the same saying to myself this new interpretation will not be applied in our favor. I guess I was right!
Most people don't know this, but there...