Targeting and Making Forcible ContactWith the Crown of the Helmet
ARTICLE 3. No player shall target and make forcible contact against anopponent with the crown (top) of his helmet. This foul requires that therebe at least one indicator of targeting (See Note 1 below). When in question,it is a foul. (Rule 9-6) (A.R. 9-1-3-I)
Targeting and Making Forcible Contact to Heador Neck Area of a Defenseless Player
ARTICLE 4. No player shall target and make forcible contact to the heador neck area of a defenseless opponent (See Note 2 below) with the helmet,forearm, hand, fist, elbow or shoulder. This foul requires that there be atleast one indicator of targeting (See Note 1 below). When in question, it isa 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 forpurposes of attacking with forcible contact that goes beyond makinga legal tackle or a legal block or playing the ball. Some indicators oftargeting include but are not limited to:
• Launch—a player leaving his feet to attack an opponent by anupward and forward thrust of the body to make forcible contact inthe head or neck area
• A crouch followed by an upward and forward thrust to attack withforcible contact at the head or neck area, even though one or bothfeet are still on the ground
• Leading with helmet, shoulder, forearm, fist, hand or elbow toattack with forcible contact at the head or neck area
• Lowering the head before attacking by initiating forcible contactwith 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 forward pass or in position toreceive a backward pass, or one who has completed a catch and hasnot had time to protect himself or has not clearly become a ballcarrier.• A kicker in the act of or just after kicking a ball, or during the kickor the return.• A kick returner attempting to catch or recover a kick, or one whohas completed a catch or recovery and has not had time to protecthimself or has not clearly become a ball carrier..• 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 whoseforward progress has been stopped.• A quarterback any time after a change of possessionFR-88 rule 9 / Conduct of Players and Others Subject to the Rules• A ball carrier who has obviously given himself up and is slidingfeet-first.
PENALTY—[ARTICLE 3 and ARTICLE 4]—15 yards. For dead-ballfouls, 15 yards from the succeeding spot. Automatic firstdown for fouls by Team B if not in conflict with otherrules. For fouls in the first half: Disqualification for theremainder of the game. (Rule 2-27-12) For fouls in thesecond half: Disqualification for the remainder of thegame and the first half of the next game. If the foul occursin the second half of the last game of the season, playerswith remaining eligibility shall serve the suspension duringthe postseason or the first game of the following season.The disqualification must be reviewed by Instant Replay(Rule 12-3-5). [S38, S24 and S47]When the Instant Replay Official reverses thedisqualification:If the targeting foul is not in conjunction with anotherpersonal foul by the same player, the 15-yard penalty fortargeting is not enforced. If the player commits anotherpersonal foul in conjunction with the targeting foul, the15-yard penalty for that personal foul is enforced accordingto rule. (A. R. 9-1-4-VII-VIII)For games in which Instant Replay is not used:If a player is disqualified in the first half, at the optionof the conference or by pre-game mutual agreement of theteams in inter-conference games, during the intermissionbetween halves the Referee will be provided a video of theplay in question for his review in the officials’ private securelocation. The Referee will review the video to determinewhether the disqualification is reversed. The decision of theReferee is final. (A. R. 9-1-4-IX)Note: The video source and the location of the review willbe determined prior to the game through mutual agreementof the teams and the Referee.If a player is disqualified in the second half, theconference has the option to consult the nationalcoordinator of football officials who would then facilitatea video review. Based on the review, if and only if thenational coordinator concludes that the player shouldnot have been disqualified, the conference may vacatethe suspension. If the national coordinator supports thedisqualification, the suspension for the next game willremain.