Swatting the Snap? (NFHS)

[w_sohl]

We were discussing snap infractions at our association meeting yesterday and the subject came up about defensive players swatting at the snap. I vaguely remember at an association or rules meeting in Illinois that it was said that it is illegal for the defense to swat at the snap. Our association thought that it was legal as soon as the ball is moved.

Please give rules reference. (I am looking right now myself)

[JDLJ]

I don't see how it could be physically possible. Once the center began the snap, the nose guard could take a swipe at it but the center would have to be incredibly slow and the nose guard super-human fast to pull it off. I've never seen it even tried let alone done.

[w_sohl]

Their comments mainly refered to the long snapper. On occasion you will see them actually bring the ball forward before snapping it backward.

I have done games where I have seen the defense attempt to swat the ball on every snap, till we told them they couldn't interfere with the snap. They could swat the snappers arm as he is snapping the ball.

[Mark Dexter]

Originally posted by w_sohl
On occasion you will see them actually bring the ball forward before snapping it backward.

Wouldn't that be an illegal snap?

[AndrewMcCarthy]

It would be an illegal snap if the snapper brought the ball forward first but my advice is to not allow the defense to do this. It'll save a whole lot of problems.

[KWH]

Mark Dexter is correct.
Dead ball foul. Snap infraction against A.

[JDLJ]

In high school ball, you have to give the centers a little leeway on the long snaps. I suspect a good percentage of the long snaps aren't 100% legal.

[w_sohl]

Originally posted by AndrewMcCarthy
It would be an illegal snap if the snapper brought the ball forward first but my advice is to not allow the defense to do this. It'll save a whole lot of problems.

Can't exactly require the defense to discontinue the practice if I have no rules to support my request, especially if a coach is teaching this.

[mikesears]

Originally posted by w_sohl

Can't exactly require the defense to discontinue the practice if I have no rules to support my request, especially if a coach is teaching this.

There isn't anything in the rules that specifally prohibits interfering with the snap like exists for the NCAA. BUT I would make darn sure the defender wasn't even a tiny bit over the neutral zone when he tried.

If the snapper is quick, the defender has just put himself at a disadvantage because of his stance or because his attention is focused on the snap and not the impending block.

If the snapper is exceptionally slow, I would suggest to the coach that he consider placing a quicker snapper into the game.

Some youth league specifically prohibit this so you can use the modification in those games.

[waltjp]

This is covered in the latest issue of Referee.

[Snake~eyes]

Originally posted by waltjp
This is covered in the latest issue of Referee.

So that's where I read it... I couldnt' remember wher I read it.

Article says NFHS legal to swat, NCAA illegal.

[w_sohl]

good to know...

[AndrewMcCarthy]

I got burned by this last year. Head coach asks in the pregame if they can swat at the snap since the long snapper usually brings it forward. The R on our crew that night tells him he can't think of a reason why not so if he'll allow it. I suggested to the R that we should at least have an illegal snap if this happens but he thought that would be a nit-picky call.

So of course the first long snap gets swatted and dribbles back to the punter where he gets ambushed. The head coach on my side is going ballistic. "how can anyone be that fast?!?!?" And of course- he's been snapping that way all year- just like everyone else!!

I retrospect if I was the R would have just told the coach in pregame that they can't do it. Short of that I should have flagged for illegal snap and put the responsibility on the snapper or perhaps his replacement.

It wasn't worth the trouble of waiting for all hell to break loose on every long snap for the rest of the game. I learned to call my own game after that night- if the R thinks it's nit-picky then let him put his butt on the line and waive it off.

[JDLJ]

Andrew. I agree - I would tell the coach that he better not do it. At best, they might get an illegal snap call out of the play but they would just as likely get an encroachment call. Anytime the B hit the snap, I would stop the play and call one of the two penalties depending on how bad I thought the snap was and I would certainly not be giving B the benefit of the doubt.

If you can talk the coach out of trying such stunts before the game starts you'll all be better off.

[kdf5]

Originally posted by waltjp
This is covered in the latest issue of Referee.

Can you give us some highlights from the article (other than it's legal) such as rule numbers or part of their theory why it's legal? Also, 9-9-1 says no player...shall hinder play by an unfair act which has no specific rule coverage. If you believe this shouldn't be allowed then this might be your catch all.

[Edited by kdf5 on Aug 18th, 2005 at 03:23 PM]