Meanwhile.... on targeting rule

[behappp]

“What targeting has driven in terms of player behavior change has been really good and the numbers reflect that,” said Shaw. “But how can we continue this trend of taking out more of these hits we don’t want in the game while being less punitive?”

College football targeting rule could be headed for overhaul, but it's not going away

Targeting remains the most divisive, confusing and frustrating penalty among fans and coaches, and the NCAA is considering easing up on the punishment.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[argh!]

“What targeting has driven in terms of player behavior change has been really good and the numbers reflect that,” said Shaw. “But how can we continue this trend of taking out more of these hits we don’t want in the game while being less punitive?”

College football targeting rule could be headed for overhaul, but it's not going away

Targeting remains the most divisive, confusing and frustrating penalty among fans and coaches, and the NCAA is considering easing up on the punishment.

sports.yahoo.com

one thing about targeting that seems unfair is that offensive players, especially running backs, use their helmets as weapons with impunity. if it's illegal for the defense, shouldn't the same rules apply to the offense? i know it's been called on offensive players before, but not often.

 

[Da Boyz Mom]

I like dividing it into two tiers of targeting, because some are obviously just happenstance where the player being tackled lowers his own head or his body in a way that makes the contact inevitable. Keeping that as a targeting call but making it only penalty yardage instead of ejection would be a good way to handle that.

I thought this was interesting:
"In 2020, officials flagged a player for targeting once in every four games. This year, that number is more like once in every seven to eight games."

It seems to me that Big Sky officials call targeting much more often than once every seven or eight games but maybe that's my misperception. And also in my opinion, sometimes I believe that it should be waved off upon review but then often isn't. Clarifications and precise definitions would go a long way.

 

[HelenaHandBasket]

I like dividing it into two tiers of targeting, because some are obviously just happenstance where the player being tackled lowers his own head or his body in a way that makes the contact inevitable. Keeping that as a targeting call but making it only penalty yardage instead of ejection would be a good way to handle that.

Because having officials try to determine this would be a positive.

 

[Da Boyz Mom]

Because having officials try to determine this would be a positive.

How would it be worse than it is now? At least some of them would get the lower penalty instead of the harsher penalty which is usually the case now.

 

[HelenaHandBasket]

How would it be worse than it is now? At least some of them would get the lower penalty instead of the harsher penalty which is usually the case now.

Oh, it could be worse. Right now it has specific criteria and if you try to break those down into less definitive items for officials to interpret differently, that isn't going to make it better.

 

[GoCatsGo!]

I think it should be two strikes you're out instead of one.

 

[HelenaHandBasket]

I think it should be two strikes you're out instead of one.

So everyone should get a freebie attempt at a decapitation?

 

[GoCatsGo!]

So everyone should get a freebie attempt at a decapitation?

The 15-yard penalty would still exist so not free. The number of penalty yards could increase if the league felt targeting needed increased attention.

What's your idea for a solution?

 

[HelenaHandBasket]

The 15-yard penalty would still exist so not free. The number of penalty yards could increase if the league felt targeting needed increased attention.

What's your idea for a solution?

I would probably start with teaching to tackle with your head up and not using the crown. Reality is, I don't think there is an easy fix though for the type of hits they are looking to stop.

 

[GriznMN]

Why do we make the defense always be responsible for targeting? Why not penalize the QB for making a pass that put the defenseless receiver in a bad situation?

 

[HelenaHandBasket]

Why do we make the defense always be responsible for targeting? Why not penalize the QB for making a pass that put the defenseless receiver in a bad situation?

Is this a serious question?

 

[GriznMN]

Is this a serious question?

Yes.

 

[HelenaHandBasket]

Yes.

lol

 

[Fathergriz]

I think it should be two strikes you're out instead of one.

First one 25 yards and one towards ejection. Second one in a game 25 yards and an ejection. If you get two in a game seems like that would be intentional and trying to harm

 

[Montanabob]

First one 25 yards and one towards ejection. Second one in a game 25 yards and an ejection. If you get two in a game seems like that would be intentional and trying to harm

So on 1st and goal at the 8, we get a free targeting call and it is now 1st and goal at the 4?

 

[alabamagrizzly]

Why do we make the defense always be responsible for targeting? Why not penalize the QB for making a pass that put the defenseless receiver in a bad situation?

This is similar to my earlier question. Why don't defenders get negative yardage after intercepting a pass on 4th down and not getting back to the line of scrimmage.

 

[mtgrizrule]

I know some coaches who teach rugby tackling. I know coaches that'll immediately bench a player for even attempting a tackle with the head down. If the head is down, rest your body better be aiming for low waist tackles.

As is, have 2 different levels of targeting.
1. Egregious with ejection for the game
2. Accidental or reasonable within the play, no ejection.

Just get rid of the sitting out the 1st half of the next game.

 

[kemajic]

I would probably start with teaching to tackle with your head up and not using the crown.

So you think the problem is that defenders are taught to target?

 

[HelenaHandBasket]

So you think the problem is that defenders are taught to target?

Not what I stated.