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Every football season, fans and commentators use the word “targeting” when a big hit happens, especially when it involves a receiver or a quarterback. Here is the confusing part: the NCAA has a formal Targeting rule, but the NFL does not use that exact word in its rulebook. Instead, the NFL enforces a group of rules that protect players from dangerous head and neck contact and from hits on defenseless opponents. If you understand how the NFL’s rules fit together, the picture becomes clear. This guide breaks it down in simple, fan-friendly language so you can watch a game and quickly tell what is likely legal, what is a foul, and why the league treats certain hits so seriously.
What People Mean by “Targeting” in the NFL
The college targeting rule, in one paragraph
In college football, “targeting” is a specific penalty. A player commits targeting when they make forcible contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent, or when they use the crown of their helmet to make forcible contact against any opponent. In the NCAA, targeting carries two big consequences: a 15-yard penalty and an automatic ejection (with the timing of the ejection sometimes carrying over into the next game). The call is automatically reviewed on video.
The NFL equivalent: different words, same goal
The NFL aims for the same outcome—removing dangerous head and neck hits—but it splits the idea of “targeting” into a few separate rules. When people say “targeting” during an NFL game, they are usually talking about one of these:
1) Defenseless player protection: It is a foul to deliver forcible contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent, or to launch into them. Think of a receiver making a catch, a quarterback after a throw, a kicker or punter in the act of kicking, or a returner waiting to catch a punt—those players are protected in special ways.
2) Use of helmet: It is a foul for any player—offense or defense—to lower their head and make forcible contact with their helmet against any part of an opponent. This applies in the open field, on the line, and everywhere in between.
You will hear officials announce penalties like “unnecessary roughness,” “forcible contact to the head/neck area,” or “lowering the head to initiate contact.” These are the NFL’s “targeting-type” fouls, even if the word “targeting” never appears on the referee’s microphone.
The Two Core NFL Rules That Replace “Targeting”
Rule concept 1: Defenseless player protection
The NFL lists several situations where a player is considered “defenseless.” If a player is in one of these positions, defenders must avoid hits to the head or neck and avoid launching. A few common examples:
– A receiver in the act of catching the ball or just after the catch, especially if they have not had time to brace themselves.
– A quarterback in the act of passing or just after releasing the ball.
– A runner who has given himself up by sliding feet-first.
– A kicker or punter in the act of kicking or just after the kick.
– A punt or kick returner in the act of catching the ball.
– A player on the ground who is not yet able to protect himself.
Under this rule, a defender cannot make forcible contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent. “Launching” into the opponent—leaving your feet to deliver an upward or forceful blow—is also illegal. Even if the defender uses a shoulder, if the blow is to the head/neck of a defenseless player and it is forcible, it will usually draw a flag.
Rule concept 2: The use-of-helmet rule
The NFL also bans lowering the head and making forcible contact with the helmet against an opponent, no matter where you hit them. It does not have to be the head or neck; helmet-to-any-body-part contact can be a foul if the player lowers their head and initiates the hit that way. This applies to both offense and defense. A running back who drops his head and bangs the crown into a linebacker can be flagged, just like a safety who does it to a receiver.
The purpose is simple: heads are not tools. Players are expected to keep the head up, see what they hit, and use the shoulder and arms to make contact. This rule, combined with the defenseless player protections, covers most of the situations that fans think of as “targeting” in the NFL.
What Officials Look For on the Field
Key indicators of a foul
When officials make these calls, they focus on a few visual clues:
– Launch: Did the defender spring or leave his feet to deliver a blow?
– Head or neck contact: Was there clear, forcible contact to the head or neck of a defenseless player?
– Helmet as a weapon: Did the player lower the head and initiate contact with the helmet, using the crown or forehead to strike?
– Point of contact: Did the hit land in the permitted “strike zone” (roughly the shoulders to the thighs), or did it drift high?
– Avoidability: Could the defender have aimed elsewhere or pulled up? Sudden moves by the ball carrier can change what is possible, but the defender still has the responsibility to avoid dangerous contact when he reasonably can.
How replay and ejections work
In the NFL, these fouls are called on the field as personal fouls (often “unnecessary roughness”). Unlike college targeting, NFL penalties do not trigger an automatic ejection. However, if the hit is flagrant, the player can be disqualified. On-field officials can eject a player, and they can consult with the league’s replay center to help with the disqualification decision. Not every dangerous hit results in an ejection; it has to be judged as flagrant based on force, intent, and the nature of the contact.
Penalties and Discipline: What Happens After the Flag
On-field penalty
The standard on-field penalty for these actions is a 15-yard personal foul. If the defense commits it, the offense gets 15 yards and often an automatic first down. If the offense commits it (for example, a ball carrier lowering his head), the offense is penalized 15 yards from the spot of the foul.
Disqualification for flagrant hits
If officials deem the action flagrant, they can eject the player for the rest of the game. Flagrant means excessively violent, clearly avoidable, or using the helmet or forearm in a reckless way that endangers an opponent. Ejections are less common in the NFL than in college because the NFL uses discretion rather than an automatic ejection standard.
Fines and possible suspensions
After games, the NFL’s football operations department reviews hits across the league. Players can be fined for violations, even if there was no flag on the play, and repeat offenders often see higher fines. In severe or repeated cases, suspensions can be imposed. Players may appeal fines and suspensions through the league’s established process with the NFLPA.
Common Situations That Look Like Targeting
Hitting a receiver high right after the catch
This is the classic example. A safety meets a receiver just as the ball arrives. If the receiver is defenseless, the defender must avoid the head and neck and cannot launch. A shoulder to the chest or midsection is legal. A shoulder or forearm to the helmet, or the top of the helmet into the receiver, is a foul. The timing is not the only factor; the location and method of contact matter most.
Quarterback hits: roughing the passer vs. illegal high contact
Quarterbacks get two layers of protection: roughing the passer rules and defenseless player protection. A hit to the QB’s head after the ball is released is usually roughing the passer. If the hit is an upward blow to the head or neck, it may be both roughing and a defenseless-player foul. The use-of-helmet rule still applies—leading with the helmet is a foul regardless of position.
Sliding runner
When a quarterback or any ball carrier slides feet-first, he is giving himself up. Once the slide begins, he is defenseless. Any forcible hit to the head or neck, or any hit after there is reasonable time to avoid, is a foul. Contact to the body can also be a foul if it is late or unavoidable only because of poor technique. Defenders are coached to pull up once the slide starts.
Crackback and blindside blocks
A blindside block is when a player blocks an opponent who is moving in a direction toward his own end line, often without seeing the blocker coming. If that block involves forcible contact to the head or neck area, or if the blocker launches or leads with the helmet, it is a foul. Legal blindside blocks must use hands or shoulder to the body with controlled contact, not violent head or neck contact.
Running back lowering the head
Fans sometimes think this foul only applies to defenders. It does not. A runner who lowers the head and initiates contact with the helmet can be called. The difference is that runners often lower their pads and try to protect themselves, which is legal. The foul occurs when the runner turns the helmet into a striking tool and makes forcible contact with it.
Punt returner under the ball
A returner waiting to catch a punt is defenseless. Any high hit, launch, or helmet-first contact can be a foul, and there are also fair-catch interference rules. Special teams plays are fast and crowded, which is why many of these penalties happen on kicks.
Why These Rules Matter
Protecting the head and neck
Football involves speed, collisions, and split-second decisions. The head and neck are especially vulnerable to serious injury. By removing hits to the head and neck and by banning the use of the helmet as a weapon, the NFL aims to reduce the most dangerous impacts. Even when players are tough and willing, the rules exist to protect them from the worst outcomes.
Better tackling and longer careers
Coaches teach defenders to keep the head up, see the target, strike with the shoulder, and wrap up. These techniques not only keep opponents safer; they also protect the tackler. Using the helmet as a spear is dangerous for both players. Safer technique can mean more years on the field and fewer days in the training room.
Fairness and game quality
Defenseless player rules try to balance offense and defense in situations where the offensive player truly has no chance to protect himself. They encourage defenders to aim lower, time hits better, and make plays on the ball rather than the head. The goal is not to remove physical football—it is to make contact safer and cleaner.
How Players Are Coached to Avoid “Targeting-Type” Fouls
Keep the head up and see what you hit
The most basic coaching point: do not drop your head. When you see what you hit, you naturally use your shoulder and arms instead of the crown of the helmet. This reduces the risk of head and neck injury and makes penalties less likely.
Aim for the strike zone
Coaches want defenders to aim for the torso: between the shoulders and the thighs. Hitting that zone, with the shoulder and arms, avoids the head and neck and avoids the knees, which are also protected areas for some positions like quarterbacks in the pocket.
Lower the pads without lowering the head
There is a difference between getting low and ducking your head. You can bend at the knees and hips to lower your pad level while keeping your eyes up. Players who bend only at the waist and drop the head are more likely to commit fouls and to miss tackles.
Time the hit or play the ball
On passes over the middle, defenders should either make a clean, legal tackle after the catch or play the ball. Arriving early and crashing into the head or neck of a receiver will draw a flag. Even a legal shoulder can be a foul if it strikes the head or neck of a defenseless receiver with force.
Use hands on blocks
On blindside or peel-back blocks, smart players use hands to screen and shield rather than launching into the head or neck with the shoulder or helmet. Hands-first blocks with control are far less likely to be flagged.
How to Spot a Likely Foul as a Fan
A simple checklist for live viewing
Ask yourself four quick questions when a big hit happens:
1) Was the opponent defenseless at the moment of contact? If yes, the standards are stricter.
2) Where did the hit land? Head/neck contact on a defenseless player is usually a foul.
3) What part did the hitter use? Helmet-first or a launched blow is likely a foul. A shoulder to the chest is usually legal.
4) Was it avoidable? If the defender had a reasonable chance to aim lower or pull up, and still hit high with force, expect a flag.
When close calls go the other way
Sometimes the ball carrier lowers his head or changes level at the last instant, causing accidental head contact. If the contact was not avoidable and the defender did not launch or lower his head, officials may keep the flag in their pocket. Not every helmet graze is a foul; force and intent matter.
Common Misconceptions
“The NFL has a targeting penalty.”
Not by that name. The NFL uses unnecessary roughness, defenseless player protections, and the use-of-helmet rule to cover the same dangerous actions fans think of as targeting.
“Any hit to the head is a penalty.”
No. Incidental contact can happen, especially when the ball carrier changes height. Officials are looking for forcible contact, method of contact, and whether the opponent was defenseless. But hits to the head or neck of a defenseless opponent are almost always fouls.
“It’s only on defense.”
Wrong. Offensive players can be flagged for lowering the head to initiate contact, or for illegal blindside blocks with head or neck contact. Safety rules apply to everyone.
“Big hits are illegal now.”
Big, clean hits are still legal. The league is targeting dangerous techniques, not physicality in general. A shoulder to the chest with wrap-up is good football. A launch to the helmet of a defenseless receiver is not.
NFL vs. College: The Biggest Differences
Ejection policy
College football uses automatic ejection for targeting, with video review to confirm or overturn. The NFL uses discretion. A similar hit in the NFL produces a 15-yard penalty and only results in ejection if it is judged flagrant. Postgame discipline (fines, sometimes suspensions) is more common in the NFL approach.
Replay review
College targeting is always reviewed, including aspects like the point of contact and the launch. In the NFL, the foul itself is not automatically reviewable in the same way. However, officials can consult with the replay center to assist with disqualification decisions, and the league can later discipline players after reviewing film.
Rule wording
College bundles concepts into one “targeting” rule. The NFL separates them: defenseless player protection and use-of-helmet. In practice, both leagues want to eliminate high, dangerous contact, but they use slightly different paths to get there.
Gray Areas and Game-Day Controversies
Bang-bang plays over the middle
These happen in a blink. A receiver adjusts to a high ball, a defender arrives to break up the pass, and helmets connect. Officials try to judge whether the defender made a legal play on the ball or delivered forcible contact to the head or neck of a defenseless receiver. Slow-motion replays show every frame, but the rules are written for real speed: if it is clearly high and forceful on a defenseless player, it is likely a foul.
Quarterback protection debates
Fans argue about roughing the passer every week. The rule’s purpose is to protect QBs from late, high, or low hits that cause injuries. Sometimes a legal strike zone hit gets flagged if it looks high or the QB’s head snaps back. The judgment can be tough. Still, using the helmet or hitting the head or neck is more straightforward: that is usually a foul.
When the ball carrier drops at the last second
Offensive players are allowed to protect themselves, and level changes are natural. If a runner suddenly lowers his head and there is unavoidable contact, the defender may not be penalized. If the defender launched or used the helmet first, expect a flag. Officials consider whether the defender had any real chance to avoid or re-aim the hit.
Blindside blocks on turnovers
During returns, everything is chaotic. Teammates try to spring the returner with blocks in space. If a blocker lines up a defender’s blindside and hits high or with the helmet, it is a foul. If the blocker squares up, uses hands, and hits the body, it can be legal. Because returns are fast and angles are tricky, this is a frequent source of penalties.
Tips for Players and Coaches at Any Level
Practice the shoulder strike and wrap
Drill tackling with the near shoulder to the strike zone, eyes up, and immediate wrap with the arms. Finish by driving through the hips, not by launching upward into the head or neck.
Use tracking angles, not last-second dives
Good pursuit angles reduce the need for desperate lunges that lead to head contact. Arrive under control, stay square, and keep the head out of the tackle.
Block with hands and chest, not with the head
On blindside angles, think “screen” more than “blast.” Get in the way, use your hands, and keep contact friendly to the opponent’s head and neck. It still springs the play without risking a flag.
Communicate situational awareness
Know when opponents are most likely to be defenseless: quick slants, high throws, punts in the air, and quarterbacks just after release. If players know these moments ahead of time, they make more controlled decisions in real time.
What Broadcasters Mean When They Say “Targeting” on Sundays
Translation to NFL terms
When an NFL broadcast says “That looks like targeting,” they generally mean one of two things is coming: unnecessary roughness for a hit to a defenseless player’s head/neck, or a foul for lowering the head to initiate contact. The penalty will be announced under those names, not “targeting.” The spirit is the same: remove head and neck blows and helmet-first strikes from the game.
Frequently Asked “What If” Scenarios
What if a defender hits the shoulder but the helmets brush?
If the primary contact is a legal shoulder-to-shoulder or shoulder-to-chest hit, and helmets only make incidental, non-forcible contact, it is usually not a foul. Force and target area matter most.
What if the receiver ducks right before impact?
If the receiver’s last-second move causes unavoidable head contact, officials might keep the flag down, especially if the defender did not launch or drop the head. But if the defender was already leading with the helmet or aiming high, it can still be a foul.
Can offensive linemen be flagged for use of helmet?
Yes. The rule applies to all positions. Linemen who duck the head and strike with the crown can be penalized. Proper technique uses hands inside and the chest, not the helmet, as the point of contact.
Does a foul always mean a fine?
No. Fines are determined after the league reviews the video and context. A borderline call may not draw a fine, while a missed on-field call might be fined later. Repeat offenses matter.
The Bigger Picture: Player Safety and the Future
Shaping the way football is taught
Because the NFL sets the tone for much of the football world, its rules influence high school and youth coaching. Teaching heads-up tackling, shoulder contact, and safer blocking techniques can protect young athletes and still keep the sport competitive and exciting.
Technology and clarity
Video angles, communication between officials, and centralized replay support continue to improve. As the league and teams study game film, they adjust teaching points and, at times, refine enforcement. The long-term goal is a faster, clearer understanding of what is legal and what is not, so players can react without hesitation.
Key Takeaways You Can Use on Game Day
Simple rules of thumb
– The NFL does not use the word “targeting,” but it bans the same dangerous actions through defenseless player protections and the use-of-helmet rule.
– Head or neck contact to a defenseless opponent is usually a foul, even with a shoulder.
– Lowering the head and making forcible helmet contact is a foul for any player, on either team.
– Ejections in the NFL are not automatic; they depend on whether the action is flagrant. Fines can follow after film review.
– Clean football still hits hard: aim for the chest or midsection, keep the head up, and wrap with the arms.
Conclusion
Putting it all together
“Targeting” may not be a word in the NFL rulebook, but the ideas behind it are central to today’s game. The league protects defenseless players from blows to the head and neck and bans helmet-first contact from everyone. These rules are not about making football soft; they are about removing the most dangerous techniques so the sport can stay physical without exposing players to unnecessary risk.
When you watch on Sundays, use a quick lens: was the opponent defenseless, where did the hit land, what part delivered the contact, and could the hitter have avoided it? With that checklist, the calls will make more sense, and the game will be easier to enjoy without confusion. And if you play or coach at any level, commit to the habits that keep you within the rules: head up, shoulder strike, wrap, and finish under control. That is how you win snaps, avoid flags, and protect your team.
In short, the NFL’s “no targeting” approach is really a “no dangerous head and helmet contact” policy. Understand those principles, and you will understand why certain hits draw a flag, why others do not, and how the game is evolving to be both safer and still unmistakably football.