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 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
TTDR: 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!!!