Quote:
Originally posted by Texoma_LJ
JimS.. I tend to disagree with your point that the rule is there to protect the snapper with his head down and once he lifts his head back up the protection is over. I tend to believe that the rule protects the snapper becuase of the unnatural position he is in having to deep snap and that he has no way to protect himself.
|
I agree with this especially as I was a deep snapper before this rule came into play. I can attest to you right now that the ruling isn't there only to protect the snapper's neck, instead it also is there to help protect that unnatural and defenseless position particularly for the back.
It was common practice for the linebacker to make his first shot with a club to my lower back, and we had our LB's do the same to our opponents. The idea is that if you can hit him in the kidneys enough the snapper's going to stop concentrating on getting that ball back there clean and fast, and be more concerned about avoiding pissing blood for two weeks after the game.
If you tell the kids to lay off the center "until he has a
chance to block" gives the center time and reinforces the fact that we're watching for roughing. They normally won't rough if they know you're watching closely.