Slapping the Ball from the Snapper

[Big2Cat]

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?

[jTheUmp]

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.