NCAA Football Rules Committee Approves Measures on Targeting, Addresses Fake Injuries

According to Greg Johnson of NCAA.org, the Football Rules Committee announced new measures Friday.

The group announced discussions and proposals for other parts of the game, including blocking below the waist.

Under current regulations, a player who receives a targeting penalty in the second half of a game must sit out the first half of his next game, but a new rule allows the player's conference to appeal the targeting penalty. The player won't serve the half-game suspension if the appeal is successful.

There will be no in-game mechanisms to address teams that use fake injuries to get a free timeout. Shaw will assess the situation and provide his opinions on further action if schools and conferences report questionable actions.

The conference or school would be in charge of the penalties.

The proposal only allowed blocking below the waist by linemen and stationary backs. It would not be allowed outside of the tackle box on scrimmage plays.

The committee is satisfied with the decrease in injuries after the rules changes were made.

"Analysis of available NCAA injury surveillance data indicates that the proportion of injuries attributed to kickoff plays are trending downward and is now similar to that of other scrimmage plays. The timing of these trends appears to align with other recent kickoff rules adjustments focused on safety (fair catch option, removal of double team and blindside blocks)."

A rule recommendation would keep a defensive holding penalty at 10 yards, but make it an automatic first down.

Changing a uniform rule to align with the NFL would require a leg covering between the shoe and the bottom of the pants.

All proposals must be approved by the playing rules oversight panel. The group is scheduled to speak on April 20. Changes would go into effect if they are approved.