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Question
I played football as a kid through high school and I recently noticed that many divison I centers pick the ball up to postion it before a snap, this is after the referee blows the whistle to start time. Once the ball is pikced up under time doe sit not mena the ball is live? Thank you Simeon Bryant
Simeon,
The old rule used to be the snapper could not raise the ball more than a 45 degree angle before snapping the ball. That rule was changed many years ago, The snapper is not to move the ball except for a smooth slow adjustment, not to simulate the start of a play. I know exactly what you are seeing. Actually, it is not a live ball. You could make a good technical argument that the movement of the ball is a snap infraction, which is a dead ball foul. We as officials tell the snapper not to move the ball. I have observed the same movements of the ball as you have. So long as the movement of the ball is a mere adjustment and as long as it is not simulating the start of the play or as long as it does not cause the defense to react, we permit the movement. However, we do warn the snappers to cease such movements when we observe it.
Should the defense react to the ball movement, it will be a snap infraction on the snapper. Should the snapper's movement be quick, jerky movement that simulates the start of the play, that too will be called a snap infraction. But, picking the ball up to position it for the snap that is not causing a reaction will usually not be called.
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| Comment | Thank you and I do wonder if the official would call snap infraction if the interior defensive line were to nail the center? Two SEC starting centers that have a bad habit of picking the ball up and "re-positioning" are LSU and Arkansas. To me it has become very evident in their type of offensive protocol where the QB will set the play, the center picks up the ball and then relaxes, sometimes taking his hand off the ball while the entire team looks to the side-line for coaches play adjustment allowing the entire offense to re-set. To me once the ball is picked up by the center and touches the ground and then removes his hand the defense should be able to go after the ball. Thanks again, Simeon | ||
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Vic Winnek
Expertise
Will Answer all queries RE: Rules of Football - NCAA & Federation; Officiating; Instruction on Football; Mechanics & application of rules; Setting up Instructional programs and clinics for: Officials, coaches and media; Liability Issues (Legal & Insurance questions)arising from coaching, playing, refereeing, product liability. Serve as an Consultant and Expert Witness in Football Related Matters in Tort and Contract (Standard of Care for: officials, coaches, players, assignors, BOD; Player, equipment, field & stadium Safety; Fee issues, independant contractor workers compensation. History of the College football game -its evolution. MY PURPOSE IS TO INFORM & EDUCATE FANS, MEDIA, THOSE INTERESTED IN FOOTBALL ABOUT: THE RULES, THEIR APPLICATION, PHILOSOPHIES; OFFICIATING; LEGAL ISSUES INVOLVING FOOTBALL. I WILL NOT RESPOND TO BASHING OF TEAMS, COACHES OR OFFICIALS. I will not dignify rude or disparaging comments with a response, nor entertain questions that use profanity or questions that suggest Football officials are corupt, such an insinuation is ridiculous and ludicrous.
Experience
24 years officiating High School & College football, NCAA Referee, Umpire, Back Judge & Line Judge 2 years Arena Football-substitution official Instructor of NCAA & Federation Officials, Played prep and college football; coached High School football; Athletic trainer; 23 years of instruction in Officiating Football
Organizations
Past President of Calif. Football Officials Assoc; Western Collegiate Football Officials Assoc.; CFOA-Long Beach Unit Board of Directors CFOA-South Bay Unit & Long Beach Unit, Pres. Executive Council of Calif. Football Officials Assoc.; CIF Presidents' Council on Officiating; Chairman Ethics Committee
Publications
Referee Magazine; California Football Officials Assoc. Instructor's Guide; NACC Div. 1-AA football officials' clinic; CFOA instrutional materials; Articles written: Line of Scrimmage mechanics, Forward Progress, Side Line Warnings, 2006 NCAA New Timing Rules; various instructional materials, UWLA Law Review
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BA USC 1987
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NCAA Div. 1 FCS & Div. III, 9 post season Bowl Games, play-offs, CIF Div. 1,2,3,5,8,9,10,12 Final, 10 years CIF Semi-finals, 19 years of CIF play-offs, California State High School Football Div. 1 Championship, Southern California Jr. College Championship, NCAA Div. III Semi-Final
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