Football Officiating > General Discussion

Targeting

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Covid 22:
This question comes from a play in the NFL but is pertinent for all classifications.  In the NFL opening game Lamar Jackson carried the ball to the right boundary.   I don't remember if it was a sweep or scramble.  Just before he was going out of bounds, he lowered his head and made significant contact to a Team B player's facemask with the crown of his helmet.    It appeared to be an intentional action.

I know that the likelihood of an NFL official ejecting Lamar is almost zero.  But I have also seen this in high school and NCAA.   Is there any good reason for this to not be called?

Thanks

dammitbobby:
this happened a few years ago in NCAA, a QB was tossed for leading with the crown - but he was very obviously trying to punish the (smaller) defender, it was very intentional. A runner just lowering his head and plowing through, even leading with the crown, typically isn't going to be a foul -but this one was egregious. I'll see if I can find the video.

bama_stripes:
I’ve seen this called in NFHS games, albeit it’s usually a blow to the chest of the opponent rather than the head.  The rule is as much for the protection of the ball carrier as for the opponent.

ElvisLives:
The criteria for this to be a foul is that the ball carrier must be loose, i.e, not being grasped or surrounded by opponents in contact with him, and he COULD change direction and avoid making contact with the crown of his helmet. If he is being grasped by one or more opponents, and he is trying to gain as much yardage as he can before he is ultimately brought down, and he lowers his head to charge forward for those extra yards, and contacts an opponent with the crown of his helmet, even though somewhat deliberately, that will NOT be a foul. If he is open enough to be in full control of his directional movement, but he chooses to lower his head and spear a potential tackler with the crown of his helmet, that’s a 9-1-3 Targeting (spearing) foul.
Rare, but it has happened, and it has been called.

sj:
For a play like the one discussed here, here's a link for those who have access from 2020 along with Steve Shaw's comments. Go to the 8:30 mark.

https://plus.refquest.com/videos/LwcgswiEpfmLWW13S5vf/5BHma6PGFO6P1siVd6ge

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