Comments on the 2014 football rules changes

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by HLin NC

I have a clip we were reviewing last night on a sideline hit from a game last season. One of the group asked if we thought that the hit we observed would be considered targeting. I will try to upload to a host and link later this evening.

There are circumstances where the view on film carries a much clearer picture of what may have occurred than may be seen from the angle of
on-field officials, but there are also circumstances where the view, from the on-field official clearly observes details not visible from a camera angle.

From the descriptions available, thus far, it appears "targeting" is going to be a purely judgment call, and as such, "One size will NEVER fit all".

[HLin NC]

The play appears to be a late hit out of bounds that was not flagged. B6 appears to take aim and lower his right shoulder to strike A20 at the head.

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by HLin NC

The play appears to be a late hit out of bounds that was not flagged. B6 appears to take aim and lower his right shoulder to strike A20 at the head.

The trailing side official appears to be RIGHT ON TOP of the play in position to observe the contact from a much closer vantage than the film provides, what makes you doubt his decision?

[JRutledge]

If he missed something, he is right there.

Peace

[HLin NC]

Being RIGHT ON TOP of the play doesn't mean you don't/can't miss something.
A player was down and
out of bounds when B player hit him and it was avoidable.

I've got another from same field, different game where the LJ flags a hold to spring the runner but then misses the spearing on the runner after he's down. He was right on top of it too.

[JRutledge]

It does not look "obvious" to say one way or another. I even think he hits the player on shoulder or part of the back. So that is why the location of the official would matter. Maybe they clearly saw the contact. We are looking at angles across the field and not down the sideline. That is why being on top of the play would matter. But that does not mean there was a miss by the official. I just have nothing to say they were wrong at this time.

Peace

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by HLin NC

Being RIGHT ON TOP of the play doesn't mean you don't/can't miss something.
A player was down and
out of bounds when B player hit him and it was avoidable.

I've got another from same field, different game where the LJ flags a hold to spring the runner but then misses the spearing on the runner after he's down. He was right on top of it too.

As technology continues to improve, perhaps by the time we get to having an 8th official assigned to HS games, that new position will be an official hovering above the field of play, with the capability to slow the view of all the action down, but until then we're going to have to suffer with just 5, 6 or maybe 7 people watching 22 players, in the best position possible.

Earlier on, the question was raised, "How do you judge intent?", and I would submit, as difficult as that may be, it's a lot more likely to discern at ground level, relatively close to the play, than it is from up high looking down on the action. "Intent" will always be a judgment call, and always depend on knowledge, experience common sense and the courage to act on what those factors provide.

[HLin NC]

All that is well and good but unfortunately for us as officials, our observers/trainers/evaluators are almost always in the stands or press box so that is the view you get. The review committee on which I serve has no other options but to review film. We are too small a group to not be calling on Friday night and we have one retired ACC official working as our observer.

Bringing us back around to topic-the dive by the defender into the runner, would that be a possible example of NF "targeting"?