Johnson to discuss chop blocks

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson will be one of 15 speakers at a football officials' clinic in Greensboro, N.C. next week, according to Doug Rhoads, the ACC's supervisor of officials.

The topic: the chop block.

The chop is a block in which a defender is engaged above the waist by one player on offense, while simultaneously being engaged below the waist by another player. Tech was penalized for this several times last season, much to Johnson's chagrin.

Rhoads said the call can be difficult to make because it's often impossible to tell who is engaging who. Did the offense player engage the defensive player, or was the offensive player simply trying to get into the secondary to block, only to be engaged by a defensive tackle or end first, and then hit by another player on offense.

"That's where we struggle as officials and coaches," Rhoads said.

Rhoads announces several rule changes for the season:

-- Both teams can wear dark jerseys now, as long as both teams agree in writing and the referees agree that the contrast is sufficient.