Quote:
Originally posted by Derock2004
Swatting the ball from the snapper hand(s) is a defensive penalty--Encroachment or Delay of Game.
You said you would rule it a fumble. You can't rule it a fumble because player possession was never established. Well if you say its a Muff, then it can't be a Muff because the ball must already be loose in an attempt to secure possession.
SUMMARY:
This will all come down to clarification on if swatting the ball from the snapper hand is the same as releasing it. I am one who believes their is a distinct difference between the two. Furthermore I believe the snapper should be given the opportunity to freely execute a legal snap. In order to be a legal snap, it must conform to all articles of the definition of a snap.
|
A key definition you have missed:
RULE 2-35. Definition of a RULE:
A rule is one of the groups of regulations which govern the game. A rule sometimes states what a player may do, but if there is no such statement for a given act (such as faking a kick), it is assumed that he may do what is not prohibited.
The rulebook wording does not prohibit a defensive player from swiping at the snap.
In like manner, a rule sometimes states or implies that the ball is dead or that a foul is involved. If it does not, it is assumed that the ball is live and that no foul has occurred. If a foul is mentioned, it is assumed that it is not part of a double or multiple foul unless so stated or implied.
In other words, a rule does NOT exist that prevents a defender from swiping at the snap.
Let's look further:
Rule 2-8 ENCROACHMENT:
Encroachment occurs when a player is illegally in the neutral zone during the time interval starting when the ball is ready for play and until the ball is snapped.
This rule does not differentiate between when B may enter the neutral zone and when B may touch the snap.
Rule 2-2: BATTING:
Batting is intentionally slapping or striking the ball with the arm or hand.
What we are talking about here is batting the snap and that is the reason I included this defintion. No where is rule 9-7 does it mention batting the snap as illegal.
Rule 2-1-2:
A live ball is a ball in play. A ball becomes live when the ball has been legally snapped or free kicked and a down is in progress.
When is the ball live. Either the ball is live when the snap is COMPLETED or the ball is live when the snap is started. Which one is it? By common practice, the ball is live the moment the snap is started. The only actions that can cause a snap to illegal are actions by the snapper. Team B can't do anything to invalidate a snap.[/b]
Let's look at the defintion of a snap:
Rule 2-38-2:
The snap begins when the snapper first moves the ball legally other than in adjustment. In a snap, the movement must be a quick and continuous backward motion of the ball during which the ball immediately leaves the hand(s) of the snapper and touches a back or the ground before it touches an A lineman.
If the defense touches the ball during the snap and it comes loose, does the ball immediately leave the hand(s) of the snapper?
Bottom line. NOTHING in the rules prevents B from batting at the snap.