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Targeting Rules Need To Change

I think there should be 3 replay officials, each is independent and doesn't know what the others vote. Need a unanimous 3-0 to overturn or call the penalty. Each review is given 90 seconds to make a decision. Default decision is call on the field.

There also needs to be better camera angles that should be the same regardless of broadcaster.

Need a raised camera angle down both side lines and goal lines and there should be a large 3-5 yard buffer zone where coaches and players can't enter.

Probably need to add 2 more on field refs as well so the linesmen never leave the LOS.
I think replay is to blamed for most of this... When showed in slow motion and frame by frame, it looks 1000% worse than what it was. Replay has slowed the game by at least 30-40 mins. and has made it impossible to watch. Every turnover, TD, sideline play, low completed pass, and first down is replayed and the game stopped. Not every replay is ruled correctly.

Put the game back without replay and let the officials make the call. Officials let many things go knowing it will be replayed and the cameras will make the call. If people feel the need for replay; 1 per half, 2 per game, 60 secs. to view and if it can not be determined... play is confirmed and move on. It is sad when instant replay is in high school football... it is in Ohio for the play-offs. I know most people do not like to hear this, but this is only a game. People benefit from it, people get taken advantage of over it, and people get too wrapped up in it. Unfortunately, the Genie cannot be put back in the bottle.
 
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If his head was up, he probably hits Fields in the helmet and gets ejected for targeting either way. The guy was just trying to make a play and prevent Ohio St from converting a 3rd down. You shouldn't get ejected for trying to make a football play, especially when it isn't even called on the field but had to be reviewed by the booth.

If he was looking up he would have hit Fields in the kidneys with his facemask. That is legal. Hitting a player anywhere when you lead with the crown of the helmet is a violation. Rule 9-3-4(1). The crown of the helmet begins at the top of the face opening in the helmet and circles the helmet.
 
As usual, there is a convolution of the rules on this forum. There are multiple aspects of targeting, 1) where there is forcible contact to the head and shoulders of a defenseless player and 2) when the player leads with the crown of the helmet.

- 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 (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)

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 his 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


- No player shall target and make forcible contact against an opponent with the crown (top) of his helmet. This foul requires that there be at least one indicator of targeting (See Note 1 below).

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 his 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

In the play being discussed, the second part of the rule, target or make forcible contact with the crown (top) of his helmet. The one indicator of targeting is the 4th bullet point, lowering the head before attacking by initiating forcible contact with the crown of the helmet. There is nothing that says that the crown of the helmet has to hit the player in the neck or head area. If the Clemson player is looking at the Ohio St QB, no penalty is called.
 
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