FYI: The Full Text of the NCAA Rulebook Regarding Targeting

This is going to be the most controversial change to the NCAA rulebook in decades. Estimates based on the number of targeting calls last year show that a minimum of 110-120 players will be ejected under this rule this coming season. The SEC Rant will go crazy debating every potential targeting call this season so here is the full text of the NCAA rulebook so we can be informed about what it means to "target with the crown of the helmet" and what it means to "initiate contact to the head or neck of a defenseless player."

To summarize, 1. you cannot target any player with the crown of your helmet, regardless of whether you hit their head, and 2. you cannot initiate contact using any part of your body to the head or neck of a defenseless player.

The Rules:

quote:

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Targeting and Initiating Contact With the Crown of the Helmet
ARTICLE 3. No player shall target and initiate contact against an opponent
with the crown (top) of his helmet. When in question, it is a foul. (Rule 9-6)
(A.R. 9-1-3-I)

PENALTY—15 yards. For dead-ball fouls, 15 yards from the succeeding
spot. Automatic first down for fouls by Team B if not in conflict with other
rules.
For fouls in the first half: Disqualification for the remainder of the
game. For fouls in the second half: Disqualification for the remainder of
the game and the first half of the next game. If the foul occurs in the second
half of the last game of the season, players with remaining eligibility shall
serve the suspension during the first game of the following season. The
disqualification is subject to review by Instant Replay (Rule 12-3-5-f). [S38,
S24 and S47]
For games in which Instant Replay is not used: If a player is disqualified
in the second half, the conference may consult the national coordinator of
football officials who would then facilitate a video review. Based on the
review, if the national coordinator concludes that the player should not
have been disqualified, the conference may vacate the suspension. If the
national coordinator supports the disqualification, the suspension for the
next game will remain.

Targeting and Initiating Contact to Head or Neck Area of a
Defenseless Player
ARTICLE 4. No player shall target and initiate contact to the head or neck
area of a defenseless opponent with the helmet, forearm, hand, fist, elbow or
shoulder. When in question, it is a foul (Rules 2-27-14 and 9-6).
(A.R. 9-1-4-
I-VI)
PENALTY—15 yards. For dead-ball fouls, 15 yards from the succeeding
spot. Automatic first down for fouls by Team B if not in conflict with other
rules.
For fouls in the first half: Disqualification for the remainder of the
game. For fouls in the second half: Disqualification for the remainder of
the game and the first half of the next game. If the foul occurs in the second
half of the last game of the season, players with remaining eligibility shall
serve the suspension during the first game of the following season. The
disqualification is subject to review by Instant Replay (Rule 12-3-5-f). [S38,
S24 and S47]
For games in which Instant Replay is not used: If a player is disqualified
in the second half, the conference may consult the national coordinator of
football officials who would then facilitate a video review. Based on the
review, if the national coordinator concludes that the player should not
have been disqualified, the conference may vacate the suspension. If the
national coordinator supports the disqualification, the suspension for the
next game will remain.

Notes to 9-1-3 and 9-1-4
Note 1
: “Targeting” means that a player takes aim at an opponent for purposes
of attacking with an apparent intent 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 his feet to attack an opponent by an upward and
forward thrust of the body to make contact in the head or neck area
• A crouch followed by an upward and forward thrust to attack with contact at
the head or neck area, even though one or both feet are still on the ground
• Leading with helmet, forearm, fist, hand or elbow to attack with contact at the
head or neck area
• Lowering the head before attacking by initiating contact with the crown of
the helmet

Note 2
: Defenseless player (Rule 2-27-14):
• A player in the act of or just after throwing a pass.
• A receiver attempting to catch a pass, or one who has completed a catch and
has not had time to protect himself 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.
• A player on the ground.
• A player obviously out of the play.
• A player who receives a blind-side block.
• A ball carrier already in the grasp of an opponent and whose forward progress
has been stopped.
• A quarterback any time after a change of possession.

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