Targeting

[Type Orange+]

Just a theory with no scientific evidence. . .

Well it is a very plausible SWAG (scientific wild assed guess), OP. You could be on to something.

 

[Volman365]

head to head collisions in today's game is because of the size of the shoulder pads! Just a theory with no scientific evidence but I believe kids no longer tackle with the shoulders is because there is no longer any padding there. Old school shoulder pads were big and thick and players tackled with their shoulders, also because both players had big huge pads you saw less head to head contact because the big pads deflected the blow. Now there are no shoulder pads, leaving the helmets more exposed leading to more h2h collisions. I'd love to see sports science look into it.

 

[guido4198]

I believe Coach Pruitt said it best a couple of weeks ago when he asked that someone educate HIM on what is and what is not "targeting" so he could coach his players.
At this point, it seems to be a very "fluid" violation and that is bad for the game, bad for the coaches, and bad for the players.
I'm almost to the point of agreeing with the suggestion someone else made on this topic that if you want to take "head hits" out of the game....take the HELMETS off.
(or at the very least...remove the facemasks.

 

[hexnut]

If a coach wants to put another teams best defensive player out they could tell the runner to duck his head down at the last sec before a tackle. I'm sure some are aware of this.

 

[IPleadInsanity]

Take the helmets off and allow leading with the head. Rugby players do not suffer from concussions, they have other problems. Eliminate the weapon.

 

[basspond]

I'm just glad we don't lose anyone to ejections this game.

I am confused. I couldn't watch the game so, I listened the broadcast. I heard the penalty for "unsportsmanlike" on the entirety of the both teams, before halftime. Then late in the game, I thought Tuttle got a personal foul later in the game for a facemask. BK and TP made no indication that that was an issue for Tuttle and clearly it wasn't. I thought that was the second one that would get him ejected. I'm certainly glad it didn't but, what am i missing? Didn't this scenario happen last year against Kentucky.

 

[savannahfan]

I totally agree that the rule has to change. Improve the helmet technology, instruct the RBs and WRs to quit lowering their heads.

Helmets: until they got "so good and safe" these type injuries were not nearly so bad. Go back to leather or nearly so, then guys would not be so likely to "lead with their heads".

Running backs: They have always been taught to not run straight up, "you'll get killed". But to run somewhat upright and lower the head in anticipation of contact, well, go back to my helmet response.

Receivers: These guys are runners second catchers first. They are only really guilty of "head hunting" as blockers. As catchers they are at god's mercy. As runners, refer back to my fist two responses.

 

[FranklinVFL]

I am confused. I couldn't watch the game so, I listened the broadcast. I heard the penalty for "unsportsmanlike" on the entirety of the both teams, before halftime. Then late in the game, I thought Tuttle got a personal foul later in the game for a facemask. BK and TP made no indication that that was an issue for Tuttle and clearly it wasn't. I thought that was the second one that would get him ejected. I'm certainly glad it didn't but, what am i missing? Didn't this scenario happen last year against Kentucky.

Personal foul for face mask does not count. Only the unsportsmanlike conduct fouls.

 

[savannahfan]

Take the pads off and put flags on them.. Either that or the game will eventually be banned..

The game is in trouble due to the rising population of snowflakes..

Don't agree with your first statement.
But, you are more than correct (if there is such a thing) with your second statement.

 

[Jack Burton]

It’s an easy fix if they’ll just allow close line tackles and drop kicks.

 

[basspond]

Personal foul for face mask does not count. Only the unsportsmanlike conduct fouls.

Thx. I think Bob K or Tim P may have said "they may get Tuttle for an "unsportsmanlike"" type penalty while they were waiting for the officials announcement. Typical analyst conversation trying to guess what the call might be. I guess I attached that term to the actual call.

 

[savannahfan]

head to head collisions in today's game is because of the size of the shoulder pads! Just a theory with no scientific evidence but I believe kids no longer tackle with the shoulders is because there is no longer any padding there. Old school shoulder pads were big and thick and players tackled with their shoulders, also because both players had big huge pads you saw less head to head contact because the big pads deflected the blow. Now there are no shoulder pads, leaving the helmets more exposed leading to more h2h collisions. I'd love to see sports science look into it.

Great observation and post. Back in the day, you could hardly carry and move around because the pads were so protective. Now days the ones they wear don't seem to do much.
While on gear, what about the shoes? They look good. That's about all I can say for them. When you see them in up close shots, (even high tops) they don't look like they support ever good. Flex all over the place. Again, back in day, even when wearing good strong leather shoes, most guys taped up...

 

[m1al]

Don't agree with your first statement.
But, you are more than correct (if there is such a thing) with your second statement.

My first statement is half joking and half serious if that's even possible. Looking back at how much has changed (good and bad) over the last, say, 50 years, I honestly don't see the game, as we know it, surviving. If peoples views/politics keep trending the way they have been, I don't think it will be very long before it will be viewed as barbaric and howls for its banishment will be heard all over the land..

 

[TennesseeTarheel]

What about the BS "Every player on both teams get their 1st unsportsmanlike penalty" Go to the tape and figure out who did it, or don't call it. If we really want to get it right then get it right, there is film that shows the KY player threw the first elbow.

Yeah. Terrible example of inept officiating. Maybe each official needs a GoPro.

 

[Remy]

Only crown of the helmet should be allowed to be involved in a targeting call IMO. Hitting a defenseless player should only be unecessary roughness IMO. Hard legitimate hits are now being called as targeting and that is just football and needs to stop IMO.

 

[vol271998]

If they really want the head taken out of the game leave the helmet take off the mask. Fact is unless you want to roll around in wheel chair they will keep the head up looking at the target.

 

[fossilfiction]

If they really want the head taken out of the game leave the helmet take off the mask. Fact is unless you want to roll around in wheel chair they will keep the head up looking at the target.

That would have the opposite effect. It would lead to more neck and head injuries due to players lowering their head on every play to avoid getting their face caved in.

 

[jarnol32]

We as football fans need to demand that some changes be made to this targeting rule. I just watched some hilites from yesterdays game and on a rush by Snell into the middle of the line he intentionally lowered his head as he was about to be met headon by our defense. Why is targeting just called on defensive players when ball carriers also lower their heads, and not only but they are allowed to stiffarm to the head area?

If they start calling penalties for the ball carrier lowering his head then football as we know will no longer exist. Be careful what you wish for, unless you really enjoy watching flag football.

 

[cHiZzLeVOL]

Take the helmets off and allow leading with the head. Rugby players do not suffer from concussions, they have other problems. Eliminate the weapon.

Uhhh rugby players get concussions all the time....

 

[cHiZzLeVOL]

The arguement to remove helmets is dumb. Concussions happen all the time in college football even on non player to player contact head shots.

The head hitting the ground after jumping for a ball or whiplash being dragged down from behind and hitting your head etc.

Football is just a high speed contact sport. Concussions are going to happen. Do they happen more because people do sometimes make incidental or purposeful contact to the head yes. But at the speeds of this game incidental contact is going to happen.

 

[cHiZzLeVOL]

I’ll just leave this here for people who think Rugby doesn’t have concussions..... oh and btw another one of their major injuries deal with the spine because of scrums

 

[IPleadInsanity]

Uhhh rugby players get concussions all the time....

Any moving sport creates concussions but far less and they are not as bad as in football. The top injury is back due to scrums, 2nd muscle pulls third tendons and 4th concussions. The problem with football is the 100's small concussions players get over a period of time that don't put them out of the game. Same as boxing and MMA, the heavy gloves allow a boxer to be hit 200 times in a fight where 1 or 2 punches usually gets the job done in MMA.

 

[jboyinmiss]

If they start calling penalties for the ball carrier lowering his head then football as we know will no longer exist. Be careful what you wish for, unless you really enjoy watching flag football.

sarcasm my friend. what I am saying is let football go back to being football.

 

[DaUndergroundMan]

Any moving sport creates concussions but far less and they are not as bad as in football. The top injury is back due to scrums, 2nd muscle pulls third tendons and 4th concussions. The problem with football is the 100's small concussions players get over a period of time that don't put them out of the game. Same as boxing and MMA, the heavy gloves allow a boxer to be hit 200 times in a fight where 1 or 2 punches usually gets the job done in MMA.

This is exactly correct as a former boxer and mma fighter I can tell you... sparring with oversize gloves is far more concussive than an actual fight...unless you get kicked in the head, with a shinbone, maybe, that too gives a king hell headache.

Always had a severe headache after a good long pre-fight warm up, (3 rd) sparring session that included oversized 16oz. Gloves and headgear . I wasn't bleeding, but I was concussed, badly.

The gloves are their to protect the hands, and that's it.

The 4-6 oz regulation amateur mma gloves allow for more bleeding and far less concussive blows. Simply put, the flash ko, knockdown that finishes a fight, is often far less damaging than absorbing 50 concussive but sub-knockout blows with wobbly legs.

Source, my head.

 

[hog88]

Take away the face masks or go back to leather helmets, targeting would be a thing of the past.