Had an NCAA game recently where the long snapper would lift the ball forward prior to his movement backward. One the very first scrimmage kick by his team, the defensive nose guard slapped the ball.

We ruled a dead ball foul against the snapper for an illegal snap. HOw would you have handled?

zeb

Don't know about NCAA, but under NF rules, you were correct.

I've got news for you. Every high school long snapper I've ever seen has to lift the ball in order to snap it. Perhaps college snappers are stronger and don't have to, but I see it happen every Friday night.

Take a look the next time you work.

There is no doubt that on most occasions in high school that the deep snapper lifts the ball before snapping it back. It is still an illegal snap. However, the only time that our crew will flag this violation is if the defense forces the issue, as was the case in the original post.

Agree with all. I was just stating that by the rules, zeb handled it correctly.

Our crew philosophy is if we spot this technique, the first time talk to the snapper and the coach and tell them what is wrong. If it happens again then flag it.

However, one coach mentions the opponent's long snapper lifted the ball then snapped it. The crew discussed it and were alert to it.

Sure enough the long snapper lifts the ball and snaps it just as four flags fly. After that it did not happen again.