In football, targeting refers to a player taking aim at an opponent for the purpose of attacking with forcible contact that goes beyond making a legal tackle, block, or play. The specific definition and application of targeting can vary between different football leagues, such as college football and the NFL.
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In college football, the targeting rule was introduced in 2008 as a response to concerns about concussion-related injuries, particularly in the head and neck area. The NCAAs targeting rule prohibits players from initiating forcible contact against an opponent that goes beyond making a legal tackle or a legal block. Any player leading with a helmet, shoulder, forearm, fist, hand, or elbow to attack with forcible contact in the head or neck area can be penalized for targeting.
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In the NFL, targeting also exists, but it is not directly enforceable on the field in the form of a disqualification like in college football. Instead, targeting issues in the NFL are addressed by the NFL commissioner. The NFL's rulebook states that targeting occurs if a player lowers his head to initiate and make contact with his helmet against an opponent.
