I'm not a big sports fan, but I've noticed during sports highlights sometimes the snap or a field goal attemp is off to one side or the other. Is this due to wind so that when the ball is thrown/kicked it'll remain in play or are some teams doing this to "throw off" the opposing team's defense? Wouldn't a non-center snap/kick result in one team or another having the advantage of not needing to place runners/tacklers along that side of the field?
2006-12-30 08:03:11 · 8 answers · asked by Frank L 1 in Sports ➔ Football (American)
The side of the field to which the kick is made is based on the position of the ball after the last play, but will always be between the hashes.
For example if the Steelers ran the ball, and Willie Parker ran out of bounds to the left, the ball would be spotted (placed for next down) on the left hash. If the Steelers were to attempt a field goal, they would snap the ball directly back and kick (usually around 7 yards back) from the left hash. If Willie were downed between the hashes, the ball is placed where he was tackled, and the kick would usually occur from there.
This is why kicks aren't always dead on straight. When Teams are going to attempt a long field goal, or know before 3rd down they are settling for a field goal, they will often run the ball towards the middle of the field. This will give there kicker the best chance of making the field goal since he will be able to aim straight, and not diagonal as in a kick from the hashes.
During a field goal the same rules apply to the number of people on the line. So to the right and left of the player snapping the ball there must be 3 more people on the line. This limits the advantage to the kicking team with blocking.
The Defense on the other hand will rush harder from where the kick is heading. If you are kicking from the left hash, you should expect more rushing from the right side as the ball will likely travel over that side en route towards the goal post.
It should be noted however that there is no rule to snapping the ball straight back, so if you were willing to give up protection from the defense you could technically snap the ball from the left hash to the middle of the field for a straight kick.
2006-12-30 08:12:58 · answer #1 · answered by fbjunk.com 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no but the kick wants to go to a person that can not keep it well the kicker keeps this in mind when he kicks the ball also the shortest distance is in the middle and the kicker wants the ball to go in a specific aera because if it goes to far (past the goal line on the other side) the other team gets to start from the 20 yard line
and if it doesnt go far enough the other team gets to run with it for a possible tuchdown.
for a punt the kick wants to go as far as possible and that distance would obviously be in the center
a kicker that knows how to aim is essential to a good team
2006-12-30 08:12:50 · answer #2 · answered by dheeraj 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on where the last play ended. It does have to be between the hash marks (those are the dotted lines that run down the center of the field). You'll also notice that, if the offense has an extra down to play with, they will run a play, not to gain yards, but to purposely get tackled in the center of the field to give their kicker a straighter shot.
2006-12-30 08:47:55 · answer #3 · answered by Miss Vira 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. The center must be there. He must (I think) have two guards (linemen next to him) but he can direct snap it to Adam Sandler walking up the sideline to talk to Burt Reynolds. Yes, if the defenders are far away Sandler can rush very far before they get to him.
Not counting those weird trick plays a minor deviation would grant no serious advantage because the defenders can see who is going to catch the ball. (Those weird trick plays are based on the defense not thinking someone will get the snap.)
2006-12-30 08:10:53 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The ball is placed where the play ended except that it is placed no nearer the sideline than the hash marks. For kick-offs and conversions it is the kicking teams option where the ball is placed. But again, no nearer the sideline than the hash marks.
2006-12-30 08:13:25 · answer #5 · answered by boodle_hunter 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it just depends on where the ball was down the last play. that's why coaches and quarterbacks always try to keep the runs/throws down the middle so there isn't a hard angle to kick from.
2006-12-30 08:10:52 · answer #6 · answered by Kevin H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What the hell am I doing at a football game???
2016-05-22 21:41:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think it depends on where the last player to get tackled got tackled
2006-12-30 08:05:51 · answer #8 · answered by Lacey 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋