Slapping the Ball from the Snapper
 

I have an NFHS question about knocking the ball away from the snapper. In NCAA, there is a rule that directly relates, 7-1-5, and an AR 7-1-5-II that describe it as being illegal.

"Snapper A1 legally begins the snap, but B2 bats the ball before A1 completes the snap, and B3 recovers the ball. RULING. Team B foul and the ball remains dead. 5 yards from succeeding spot. Team B may not touch the ball until it has been snapped. Team A retains possession."

However, upon reading through the high school rules and case book I cannot find a rule describing this as being illegal. I have always believed it to be illegal in NFHS.

Any help?

See an almost identical discussion here.

The consensus is that this would be penalized as encroachment, as no member of Team B may be in the neutral zone before the snap, and in order to bat the ball away from the snapper, Team B must, by definition, be in the neutral zone.