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Expert: - 11/27/2006


Question
When a team is punting the ball and the center snaps the ball to the punter, the defensive lineman hits the center too early after the snap before the center can get his head up,  is that a penalty in college football?

Answer
Colin,
Thank you for your question.  I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving.  You ask a good question. Snappers are afforded special protection when the offensive team is in a scrimmage kick formation.  Under the NCAA rules the position of the head is not the element of the rule, it is time - 1 second.  NCAA rule 9-1-2(r) makes it a foul for a defensive player to contact the snapper before one second following the snap has elapsed.

The answer to your question is yes, it is a personal foul penalized 15 yards.

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Vic Winnek

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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.

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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

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