Targeting Call

[AZOrange]

I've said it over and over. Make the rule that you have to try to tackle. If you make no attempt to wrap up or to shove a guy out of bounds with your hands, it's a penalty. Cross your arms over your chest and lower your shoulder, it's a penalty. If teams watch offenses march down the field at 15 yard clips, they'll change their techniques.

In order to do that you have to take away the offenses ability to lower pads/head too or it’s distinctly unfair

 

[sufandu]

In order to do that you have to take away the offenses ability to lower pads/head too or it’s distinctly unfair

No it's not. Most of those hits with crossing the arms and leading with the shoulder come from the side, not straight on. When a ball carrier lowers his pads (I agree with you on the ball carrier not lowering the head) and meets a guy head on, the defender is usually trying to tackle the way you should.

Both guys can try to get low. Attempting a form tackle does not prevent a defender from trying to stay low.

 

[Consigliere]

By rule, can they call targeting without calling a personal foul?

Apparently yes. That’s the issue. Personal foul calls are not reviewable. Targeting calls are, ostensibly to ensure ejection of offending person is warranted. And the standard seems to be clear visual evidence is required to UPHOLD call on the field, not to overturn it. The NCAA changed the rule in 2022 removing the ability of the replay official to allow the call on the field to “stand.” They now must either confirm (uphold) or overturn (reverse.) More reason to eliminate the on field call. Let the on field official call a personal foul and the replay official to buzz down if they feel a targeting review is warranted.

 

[OttosShoes]

And the standard seems to be clear visual evidence is required to UPHOLD call on the field, not to overturn it. The NCAA changed the rule in 2022 removing the ability of the replay official to allow the call on the field to “stand.” They now must either confirm (uphold) or overturn (reverse.) More reason to eliminate the on field call

This is a good point, but FWIW they actually got rid of 'stands' and 'confirmed' altogether this year. It's either 'overturned' or 'upheld' now on every review.

Let the on field official call a personal foul and the replay official to buzz down if they feel a targeting review is warranted.

Yup this. Replay booth buzzes or let the ref decide to review it to upgrade. The way Flagrant 1's work in basketball is the perfect model for this.

As it is they're basically making the refs remember to always have to call personal foul and targeting which seems undue. I think the side judge threw it and they had a great view, I have to imagine they thought there was no way it gets overturned so why hedge it.