Snap

[lds7199]

Can the center turn the football completely sidways when he adjusts the ball for the snap. I was sure that this was not legal, but two veteran officials told me that as longs as the center did not pick the ball up, it was legal. So, I read them 7-1-2 which says:

"The snapper may lif the ball for lateral rotation but may not rotate end for end or change the location or fail to keep the long axis of the ball at right angles to the line of scrimmage"

Am I misinterpreting this phrase? Because even after I quoted this rule, both officials still said it was legal to turn the ball sideways.

[RonRef]

Originally Posted by lds7199

Can the center turn the football completely sidways when he adjusts the ball for the snap. I was sure that this was not legal, but two veteran officials told me that as longs as the center did not pick the ball up, it was legal. So, I read them 7-1-2 which says:

"The snapper may lif the ball for lateral rotation but may not rotate end for end or change the location or fail to keep the long axis of the ball at right angles to the line of scrimmage"

Am I misinterpreting this phrase? Because even after I quoted this rule, both officials still said it was legal to turn the ball sideways.

If he is just adjusting it why are we digger for an infraction here. Let' not be looking for something to call!

[lds7199]

Originally Posted by RonRef

If he is just adjusting it why are we digger for an infraction here. Let' not be looking for something to call!

He is not merely adjusting it, he is turning the ball completely sideways. Does the neutral zone turn sideways with it? The forward point of the ball has changes also. I mean I have seen this done in little league before, but in 9th grade? I never threw a flag on this. I just told the center not to do it.

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by lds7199

He is not merely adjusting it, he is turning the ball completely sideways. Does the neutral zone turn sideways with it? The forward point of the ball has changes also. I mean I have seen this done in little league before, but in 9th grade? I never threw a flag on this. I just told the center not to do it.

No, the NZ is the NZ. Again, it isn't worth bothering with - it's not going to draw the defense offside, it gains no material advantage, and the lack of a call is expected by the other team's coach. Don't bother with this one.

[lds7199]

Originally Posted by mcrowder

No, the NZ is the NZ. Again, it isn't worth bothering with - it's not going to draw the defense offside, it gains no material advantage, and the lack of a call is expected by the other team's coach. Don't bother with this one.

OK! I can live with that.

[FootballRef05]

What are you going to do if he rotates the ball end of end?

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by lds7199

Can the center turn the football completely sidways when he adjusts the ball for the snap. I was sure that this was not legal, but two veteran officials told me that as longs as the center did not pick the ball up, it was legal. So, I read them 7-1-2 which says:

"The snapper may lif the ball for lateral rotation but may not rotate end for end or change the location or fail to keep the long axis of the ball at right angles to the line of scrimmage"

Am I misinterpreting this phrase? Because even after I quoted this rule, both officials still said it was legal to turn the ball sideways.

You have found something that is TECHNICALLY against the rules, but never called. The rule should probably be amended to allow this, since it's prevalent all over that this gets ignored. For your partners to tell you this was LEGAL was not quite correct - they probably should have just told you that this is not a booger worth hunting for.