Big10 CCG.. Target or Not on Mich St in the EZ?

[Joe Stack]

Initiating forcible contact to the head or neck area? Check

Except that it isn't really forcible, it isn't TO the head or neck AREA, and the defender did not actually target the opponent. He appears to be making a play to knock the ball out of the hands of the receiver, who's head falls lower right before the contact occurs.

Remember, the rule reads, "target AND make forcible contact..." In order to target, he has to be going after the guy. AREA means where the head or neck normally is. Sort of like a strike zone in baseball. You want to walk every time? No problem. Get to the batters box and lay face down. There's no way the pitcher can put a ball over the plate between the knees and armpits (or whatever the zone is). Obviously, that doesn't occur, as the rule reads the "normal" (or similar language) position.

[scrounge]

Except that it isn't really forcible, it isn't TO the head or neck AREA, and the defender did not actually target the opponent. He appears to be making a play to knock the ball out of the hands of the receiver, who's head falls lower right before the contact occurs.

Remember, the rule reads, "target AND make forcible contact..." In order to target, he has to be going after the guy. AREA means where the head or neck normally is. Sort of like a strike zone in baseball. You want to walk every time? No problem. Get to the batters box and lay face down. There's no way the pitcher can put a ball over the plate between the knees and armpits (or whatever the zone is). Obviously, that doesn't occur, as the rule reads the "normal" (or similar language) position.

This is simply not true, intent to 'go after the guy' is not required. Look no further than this year's NCAA training video where the Corey Smith (Ohio State) block in the B1G championship game last year was called targeting and highlighted in the video as a great example of a targeting call even though Rogers acknowledged that Smith tried to turn away and avoid contact, but despite the intent still initiated contact in the head or neck area.

As to your contention that the contact wasn't to the head or neck area? Well, I disagree.

[bkdow]

I don't think there is a camera angle to show whether the shoulder is the contact point or if it is the head and neck.

[Magician]

This does not look like targeting to me. The defender isn't launching at the receiver. He's trying to break down and turn away. That gives him the benefit of the doubt to me. It does look like all contact is shoulder to shoulder.

The chop would be tough for the U to see because he's going to start back side (at least on 7-man) and probably not get there fast enough to see this. I'm thinking the C may have coverage here and get this. The short wing or deep wing on the near side could possibly be looking here, but there are a lot of players in the way. This definitely appears to be a chop block though.

[first_year_guy]

No way the C would have that chop

1:07 mark, the play prior appears to be a suspect chop with the C and RT