What constitutes a "snap" in football?

August 6, 2005 | self / vanity

[The Other Harry]

I realize this is untimely, but I have been watching a football movie and I'm curious.

The center is allowed to move the ball around quite a bit, but at some point it becomes a snap.

Is that when he takes it off the ground?

(If it were me writing the rules, if he so much as moves it, that would be a snap. No gray area.)

[Straight Vermonter]

The center may adjust the ball ONCE when he first touches it. Any other movement is considered "illegal procedure".

[scott says]

Ping? This could be interesting...or really ugly, it remains to be seen...

[JennysCool]

Exactly.

[BigSkyFreeper]

It's only a movie for God's sake.

[The Other Harry]

The center may adjust the ball ONCE when he first touches it. Any other movement is considered "illegal procedure".

That still begs the question of what is considered a snap.

[Echo Talon]

after the ball is adjusted, the line must be still 1 full second including the football... soon as the ball moves its a snap even if the center doesn't snap it, if he just moves it to the side its still a live ball. Usually when this happens the refs will blow the whistle and call illegal procedure/false start on the center. IF the ref doesnt call false start the defenseive lineman can knock the ball out making it a fumble and live for anyone.

[Echo Talon]

But usually what happens when the center does a false start, is the defensive lineman fire off the line and none of the offensive players move, causing the ref to blow his whistle because the defensive man is unabated to the quarterback. That is a rule to save the quarterback from getting killed. The the refs will have a conference to determine if it was a a false start on the offensive or encroachment by the defense.

[codyjacksmom]

A snap is when the center moves the ball to start a play.

[day10]

Test that ping list!

[Tallguy]

I think the center may not lift the ball off the ground when adjusting it, but if you look closely many of them do. They kinda roll 'n lift so that they can deliver the seam of the ball the way their QB wants it. You almost never see them call for that. You do sometimes see illegal procedure on the center for a flinch or sudden head movement.

[dakine]

Patriots -7 versus the Lions....

[red-dawg]

PING!

Sorry, just got here. :)

[.38sw]

The ping list works! Thanks. Another day, another vanity.

[red-dawg]

I don't know if I will be a good steward of the ping list as I am not on here everyday, and I was asleep when this one hit.

[.38sw]

Eh, well, I wouldn't worry about it. I wouldn't any quicker. Doesn't matter if the ping list doesn't get activated right away. These aren't time-sensitive matters.

[NCC-1701]

A snap is when a team like the '92 Cowcoys lines up against a vastly inferior team and beats them unmercifully. The win will have been a snap.

[Asphalt]

Hm. Think the question's been answered. No point in spamming the commentes page. Thanks for the ping

What were you doing up so late?

[scott says]

I just thought it might be fun, but you are right. Up late..."stress management"....nice bottle of red....

[Asphalt]

yeah...