Targeting

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by LeRoy

I know the rule but do not have my book just now. So this is what I need help with.

There are some in our association that believes that a stiff arm to the head by the running back should be a "Targeting Foul" Part of me can say that it meets the intent of the rule but I would have a hard time calling it. I know in the past that after a new rule is published that sometimes they come out with a interpatation of the rule and post it on the NFHS page, I can not find anything like that, Has anyone else seen anything like that? Has any other group had that come up?

We have an interpretation up here in Canada.

If the arm is extended and it's used to ward off an opponent, it's not a foul, even if that contact is to the head/helmet. If the extended arm is used in a swinging method, then it is a foul.

If the arm is extended and in that process (and before it is fully extended), it hits the helmet of the opponent, then it a foul for hands to the face, which is a UR foul.