The vast majority of the hits were not targeting, just devastating hits that I would rather see on the other team, rather than our relatively undersized skill players. Having said that, there was a hit early on that I think arguably fits the definition of targeting. I can't cite to the exact minute of the game, but I think it was on the first drive of the game. It was a throw to the left side of the field. Our player goes up in the air, and the "tackle" from the defender is executed by what I would argue was forcible contact to the head and neck with a fist, hand, and/or forearm. This clearly falls within the third prong for targeting described below. (use of the forearm, fist, hand, or elbow to attack with forcible contact at the head or neck area, even if both feet are on the ground.) It was a pretty vicious hit and, given the desire to protect the neck and head of players, surprised no one questioned the failure to even review the hit.
Targeting does not solely occur when players initiate helmet-to-helmet contact. It's defined as occurring when 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." Instances include, but are not limited to:
- Launch--a player leaving his 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 his helmet.
