New targeting rule forces players to think before they hit
The hits have been replayed over and over on television.
Football players remain on the field, dazed and confused, following a brutal, high hit. It’s a familiar image to football fans, but this year, the NCAA is enforcing a new rule on intentionally targeting a football player above the shoulders.
If a player is found targeting another player above the shoulders, he will be ejected from the game. If it happens in the second half, the ejection will carry into the first half of the next game. The ejection can be overturned by replay officials, but a penalty of 15 yards will still be enforced.
Like the rules of the game, the defensive players have evolved, as well. Two of Central Michigan’s biggest hitters – defensive back Avery Cunningham and linebacker Shamari Benton – are adapting to the new rule.
“We just have to make adjustments,” Cunningham said. “I’m all for making the game safer. We just all have to adjust our hitting style, whether you’re a lineman, linebacker or defensive back.”
Benton still plans to play aggressively.
“You can still play aggressive,” Benton said. “But, you can still play by the rules at the same time. The referees came in and discussed with us what they expect from us. We have to practice it, just like everything else.”
Head coach Dan Enos said officials spoke with the team for about an hour to discuss the rule and what it means. Enos and the other coaches have instructed players how to properly tackle an opponent to avoid an ejection.
“We practiced hitting below the shoulders,” Cunningham said. “We have also tried to hit on the outside. Sometimes when guys launch, they get out of position, so we’ve tried to keep guys in position.”
The prospect of being suspended for a full game is powerful enough to stay in the mind of players right before a tackle. Both Cunningham and Benton plan to position themselves to hit the right way. If they don’t, the suspension will not only hurt them, but their team.
“It’s definitely in the forefront of my mind,” Cunningham said. “Now you can get suspended and get kicked out of the game. I don’t want to hurt my team in any way, so I have to play the right way.”
