High School Rules - Covering long snapper

[Ravens99]

What is the rule when it comes to lining up over a long snapper on a punt? Can you line up over shoulders on both sides of the snapper?

[Rich]

There is no such rule in HS football, although I've run into a few coaches who think there is.

[Ravens99]

I wondered, I long snapped for 4 years and was never once covered, doesn't make sense to not blast through the A gap then instead of letting center run free.

[whitehat]

In my experience most coaches do not want to risk a roughing the snapper penalty (which comes with an automatic first down). So, they pretty coach their kids to not touch the snapper at all.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Ravens99

I wondered, I long snapped for 4 years and was never once covered, doesn't make sense to not blast through the A gap then instead of letting center run free.

Well I see players lining up on the snapper all the time. If they try to go through the line, they go through the A gap and pretty much go around the snapper. Nothing in the rule says they cannot hit the snapper, they just have to give an opportunity for them to defend themselves, but going through the gap does not violate the spirit of the rule.

Peace

[Welpe]

You've gotten your answer. Really what we are looking for on roughing the snapper is if he gets hit in the head before he has a chance to defend himself.

Shooting the gap and covering him up are both perfectly legal.