Cut-block technique outlawed by the AFL
Georgia's tactics deemed 'malicious' against VooDoo

Saturday, May 31, 2008
By Brian Allee-Walsh
Staff writer

After further review, an Arena Football League defensive player will be penalized 10 yards and face possible ejection and a fine if he cut blocks a receiver in motion at the line of scrimmage.


The new interpretation was circulated league-wide in a memo Thursday and comes in response to controversial tactics used by Georgia defensive backs against VooDoo wide receivers Monday night at the New Orleans Arena.

After the game, won by Georgia 40-29, VooDoo Coach Mike Neu took issue with the tactics used by Force Coach Doug Plank, saying "it challenged the integrity of the game."

Plank said he employed the tactics after being informed by league officials that they fell within the rules.

Jerry Trice, vice president of AFL football operations, said the league's new interpretation went into effect with the opening game of Week 14, the VooDoo against Columbus on Friday night.

"A lot of our people watched the game (on ESPN2)," Trice said Friday when reached in Chicago. "Everybody, from members on our rules and competition committee, to our coaches and league officials, deemed it was malicious and could be potentially dangerous and shouldn't be allowed.

"From now on, if it happens, the player will draw a 10-yard personal foul and possibly be subject to ejection. The league office also will review each incident to determine if a fine is in order. It is not allowed, and we have put out a memo so it will not happen again."

VooDoo General Manager Mickey Loomis said he and Neu phoned their displeasure with Georgia's defensive tactics to league officials.

"We were disappointed that the tactic was even used in the game," Loomis said. "In our view, it was immoral because players can get hurt. It should be an illegal move and harm's the integrity of the game. They basically outlawed the tactic, and that is the right thing to do."

Trice said Georgia is the first AFL team to employ use the cut-block tactic on a high-motion receiver, and hopefully, the last.