Just after the snap

[HLin NC]

Aw jeez, not this again.

[Durham]

I did not intend to begin a philosophical debate on the issue, I just could not find a rules reference either way. I know how things work on the field, but I was just looking for something in Fed Speak.

[JasonTX]

I only use NCAA rules and for us it's clear that it's illegal. I am curious with the Fed rules if you guys are saying is legal in Fed rules. At what point can a team B player enter the neutral zone? I would think that it would be the same as NCAA where they cannot enter the neutral zone until after the snap. If the ball has not yet left the snappers hands, then the snap is still in progress so any player who swipes at the ball is in the neutral zone. Is that not correct for Fed as well?

[Canned Heat]

I had 2 teams this year try it during the last few kneel downs in 2 contests....told the nose tackle that was attaempting it that if he broke the plain with his hand he'd get pinched for the encroachment. Put an end to it in both cases....FYI these were JV and FR games.

[Cobra]

Originally Posted by JasonTX

I only use NCAA rules and for us it's clear that it's illegal. I am curious with the Fed rules if you guys are saying is legal in Fed rules. At what point can a team B player enter the neutral zone? I would think that it would be the same as NCAA where they cannot enter the neutral zone until after the snap. If the ball has not yet left the snappers hands, then the snap is still in progress so any player who swipes at the ball is not in the neutral zone. Is that not correct for Fed as well?

B can enter the neutral zone at the snap. The snap starts when the ball is first moved other than an adjustment. So a B player could hit the ball during the snap but he would have to be extremely fast to do so. Most likely he would have to guess the snap count and not react off seeing the ball move.

[ottobabble]

Originally Posted by Cobra

B can enter the neutral zone at the snap. The snap starts when the ball is first moved other than an adjustment. So a B player could hit the ball during the snap but he would have to be extremely fast to do so. Most likely he would have to guess the snap count and not react off seeing the ball move.

Could this become the subject of an episode of "Mythbusters?"

[Canned Heat]

Originally Posted by ottobabble

Could this become the subject of an episode of "Mythbusters?"

That's like trying to catch the dollar bill with your fingers while someone drops it between them when you don't know when.

The limits of hand/eye coordination...

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by JasonTX

I only use NCAA rules and for us it's clear that it's illegal. I am curious with the Fed rules if you guys are saying is legal in Fed rules. At what point can a team B player enter the neutral zone? I would think that it would be the same as NCAA where they cannot enter the neutral zone until after the snap. If the ball has not yet left the snappers hands, then the snap is still in progress so any player who swipes at the ball is in the neutral zone. Is that not correct for Fed as well?

Are you saying that in NCAA players can't enter the NZ until the ball has left the snapper's hands? First I've heard of that in any football anywhere, any time!

[JasonTX]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

Are you saying that in NCAA players can't enter the NZ until the ball has left the snapper's hands? First I've heard of that in any football anywhere, any time!

Poor choice in words on my part. Hitting the ball in NCAA before it leaves the snappers hands is offside. You are correct that when the snap begins a player may enter the NZ, but not slap the ball while it's in the process of being snapped.

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by JasonTX

Poor choice in words on my part. Hitting the ball in NCAA before it leaves the snappers hands is offside. You are correct that when the snap begins a player may enter the NZ, but not slap the ball while it's in the process of being snapped.

That means he can still hit the snapper's hand, so the snap is still not exactly a free pass in NCAA.