Mike Norvell explains his thoughts on the NCAA's new targeting rules

The targeting rule has been controversial since it was first adopted. Some felt that the penalty of an ejection was too harsh. Others think that there is too much gray area and misunderstanding about the language of the rule. But, for coaches like Mike Norvell, the rule simply means that you need to more properly coach defenders on how to hit, all in the name of player safety.

Because of the controversy that surrounds the targeting rule, the NCAA has a tendency to make changes and tweaks to it. This past offseason the NCAA passed “measures intended to strengthen the accuracy of the targeting rule.” Essentially, players can appeal the first half suspension for a game they were called for targeting in.

While speaking to the media, Mike Norvell gave his thoughts on the NCAA’s new targeting rules.

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“That’s one thing that you know Darion [Williamson] had to miss the first half of last week’s game for targeting,” Mike Norvell said.

“And, you know, I thought it was unfortunate because they used his play from the game as an example of something that probably wouldn’t have been used, and I mean, it’s just, you know, we did ask it but…you couldn’t retroactively use it. But, it still cost him a first half of a game.”

Mike Norvell is pointing out that it was strange to use Williamson as an example of someone who the rule is designed to help, but not allow him to benefit from it. Instead, he was punished in the first half of the Florida State game against Duquesne for something that happened in 2021 and wasn’t egregious.

“So, I do think that being very clearly defined in that and still having reviews and all those things, I think it’s good. Player safety is the number one thing and, ultimately, that is what we’ve focused on teaching. How to tackle. Making sure that we’re doing it the right way but being able to have another clear definition of it and being able to have that review, even after if it happens in the second half of a game, I think it’s good.”