Targeting and Making Forcible Contact With the Crown of the Helmet
ARTICLE 3 No player shall target and make forcible contact against an opponent with the crown of their helmet. The crown of the helmet is the top segment of the helmet; namely, the circular area defined by a 6-inch radius from the apex (top) of the helmet.
This foul requires that there be at least one indicator of targeting (See Note 1 below) When in question, it is a foul (Rule9-6) (AR 9-1-3-I).
Targeting and Making Forcible Contact to Head or Neck Area of a Defenseless Player
ARTICLE 4 No player shall target and make forcible contact to the head or 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 at least one indicator of targeting (See Note 1 below). When in question, it is a foul(Rules 2-27-14 and 9-6) (AR 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 their 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
Some people here seem to be overlooking the fact that the rule talks about TWO diferent ways that targeting can occur, and simply want to focus on "crown of the helmet". Please note all the different ways that targeting can occur, such as shoulder, forearm, fist, hand, or elbow to attack with forcible contact at the "head and neck area".
I saw the replays in the game and there clearly appeared to be forcible contact in the tackle to the head and neck area to me. Unfortunately, I haven't seen any replay on the internet that doesn't jump around and/or be so fuzzy when enlarged as to be useless for analysis.
But, whatever..... the rule is a mess and somehow needs to be simplified/clarified for players benefit as well as for coaches, officials, broadcast crew, and fans/alums.