I was watching some trick plays on youtube and they would snap the ball by handing it back to the quarterback who would act like he is changing the ball out and then run. I always thought you had to snap it between you legs. I guess you dont. Whats the rule on that?
2007-04-08 18:38:24 · 14 answers · asked by ocrushez 1 in Sports ➔ Football (American)
Is that not the craziest play you have ever seen??
The ball is put into play when it is exchanged from Center to Quarterback....
The QB in question never called a time out...he simply yelled..."Hey thats not our ball - I want our ball...give me that ball."
The play was not blown dead and no equipment to was called...
to which the quarterback simply took it and off he went.
Awesome play.
so no..."snap between the legs" is not how the rule was written ... I say was because it may very well get changed.
It was written as an exchange from center to player in the backfield.
2007-04-09 01:03:57 · answer #1 · answered by Warrior 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If your question is if it must go between the center's legs, the answer is no. It may be snapped sideways or the center could stand sideways and just toss it back to the quarterback. The reason for the between the legs snap is to put the center in the best possible position to block after the snap. However there must be a transfer of the football. The center must snap it somewhere, be it the quarterback, runningback, a wide reciever in motion, or the ground-aka the fumblerooskie- the center cant make the snapping motion and just keep the ball up behind him and then start running.
2007-04-08 21:17:02 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
The ball has to begin play on the ground at the line of scrimmage and it has to leave the ground and touch the hands of another player to begin play. The snapper can run with the ball only if its been touched by another player.
In early football a lineman would actually flip (lateral) the ball from scrimmage facing sideways, back to the QB. The ball was vulnerable to a D lineman with quick hands who could get to the QB faster than the snapper could block. The center snap between the legs has evolved to what you see today because of that.
2007-04-09 00:41:57 · answer #3 · answered by Tough Love 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What level? Rules vary much by state in high school football and in Pop Warner it may be the rule because they don't want weird trick plays.
Good question. I starred it because I honestly don't know. I'll research it and edit my response for the NFL only. (Like I said, "Rules vary much by state in high school football and in Pop Warner it may be the rule because they don't want weird trick plays.")
Direct snaps to the half back exist. See the Patriots do this often. Brady jumps up like the ball went over his head (in the shotgun) and Faulk runs for a two point conversion.
The fumblerooski has been made illegal in some circles. Time is another factor.
I only found this. "The ball is almost always sent between the snapper's legs, but only in Canadian football is that required."
2007-04-09 02:41:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Any time the play starts on offense, the ball is snapped through the legs of the center...The thing you may be referring to is the ball doesn't ALWAYS go to the quarterback...There are trick plays to fool the defense in which it goes to the running back, but it is still snapped through the legs of the center...Happens on normal offense, on punts, on field goals...People who are saying no are idiots...If that were the case, on 4th and 1, you'd have the center ALWAYS keeping the ball and trying to get the first down himself...This is ILLEGAL, people...Thats why it doesn't happen...The ball is ALWAYS snapped to start a play...
2007-04-08 20:30:03 · answer #5 · answered by Terry C. 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
the center does not have to put the ball in the qbs hands for the play to begin the ball just needs to be put down. if you've ever heard of a fumblerooski thats the perfect example.
2007-04-08 18:57:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Once the ball moves, the play begins. Between the legs isn't necessary. And as for trick plays, watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcUAzVb6GpI
2007-04-08 19:15:41 · answer #7 · answered by Tosh 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I thought you had to snap it between your legs, too.
2007-04-08 22:53:20 · answer #8 · answered by BOOM 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
in illinois at the high school level as long as the qb doesnt put his hands under center,the center can pitch the ball anywhere he wants.
2007-04-09 08:05:37 · answer #9 · answered by mike hunt 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Excellent query. I'm watching with you for the answer.
2007-04-08 18:42:58 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋