American Football IFAF Approved Ruling 9-1-4:I-VI
I. Receiver A83 has just leaped and received a forward pass. As A83 is about to regain his balance, B45 launches and drives into A83 above the shoulder area with his helmet or shoulder. RULING: Foul by B45 for targeting and making forcible contact with a defenseless opponent above the shoulders. 15 yards, first down. B45 is automatically disqualified. [Cited by 9-1-4]
II. As ball carrier A20 sweeps around the end and heads upfield, he/she lowers his/her head and unintentionally contacts; or (b) intentionally attacks defensive end B89 who is trying to tackle him/her. The players meet helmet to helmet. RULING: (a) No foul. Neither A20 nor B89 is a defenseless player and neither has targeted his/her opponent in the sense of Rule 9-1-3. (b) Foul by A20 for targeting. By choosing to attack with his/her head, A20 has become subject to Rule 9-1-3. [Cited by 9-1-4] III. A44 is covering the kickoff that opens the second half. During the return, as A44 is running at the Team B 45-yard line, B66 targets and launches into A44 from the side, a blind-side block. B66 first makes contact with his/her forearm at A44’s (a) neck; (b) upper arm or shoulder. RULING: (a) Foul by B66 for an illegal blind-side block and targeting a defenseless player by making forcible contact at the head or neck area. 15-yard penalty at the end of the run. B66 is disqualified. (b) Foul for an illegal blind-side block. This is not a foul for targeting because the contact by B66 is not to the head or neck area. (Rule 2-27-14). [Cited by 9-1-4]
IV. A12 who normally plays quarterback is lined up as a wide receiver in the backfield and A33 is five yards behind the snapper in a shotgun formation. A33’s pass intended for A12 is intercepted. During the interception return B55 targets and launches at A33, striking him in the side of the helmet. RULING: Foul by B55 for targeting and making forcible contact at the head of a defenseless player. For the purposes of Rule 2-27-14, A33 is a defenseless player since he played the down in the role of the quarterback. [Cited by 9-1-4]
V. End A81 is split far to the left of the formation, to the outside of defensive end B89. On a sweep play in his direction B89 moves to his left to focus on the ball carrier, losing sight of A81.
A81 then cuts to the inside, takes aim and launches at B89, forcibly contacting him with his forearm to B89’s neck. RULING: Foul for blind-side block with targeting. Under Rule 9-1-4, 15 yard penalty, A81 is disqualified. B89 is a defenseless player as he is subject to the blind-side block (Rule 2-27-14). [Cited by 9-1-4]
VI. Ball carrier A33 has gained several yards and is in the grasp of two defenders. His forward progress has been stopped but the ball has not been declared dead. Linebacker B55 crouches and thrusts himself forward, driving his forearm into the side of A33’s helmet. RULING: Targeting foul by B55. 15 yard penalty, B55 is disqualified. A33 is a defenseless player since he is in the grasp of the opponents and his forward progress has been stopped (Rule 2-27-14). [Cited by 9-1-4]