The snap to the quarterback from the center starts the play. It allows all of the players to move from their positions. But how do you snap a football properly?

In this article, we will examine the different types of football snaps and how to get into the proper stance for an offensive lineman.

Snapping The Football

The offensive play has officially begun once the center has moved the ball off the ground. Defensive players can cross the line of scrimmage and tackle the ball carrier.

The center snap is the most important movement in football. If not done correctly, it can derail the offensive play entirely.

Let’s look at different types of football snaps and how teams use them:

• Center Snap
• Long Snap
• Swinging Gate

Different Types of Football Snaps

Center Snap

The between-the-legs center snap is the most common type of snap. It requires the players to put the ball through their legs and successfully deliver it to the quarterback. Types of football snaps from this position are the under-center snap and the shotgun snap.

The shotgun snap is similar to the regular snap, except the quarterback is lined up 4 yards away from the center.

As shown below, the center has a big responsibility of snapping the football, moving his feet, and effectively blocking the person in front of him. The shotgun snap has become a large part of the present-day passing game.

Long Snap

This snap is often seen on special teams. Teams often choose to bring a long snapper (different from their center) and long snap the football 10-15 yards on punts and around 5-7 yards on field goals.

At the high school and college levels, rules have been established to protect the center from getting hit when the snap is over 7 yards.

This is why teams often choose to bring in a smaller player, snap, and not worry about blocking.

Swinging Gate Snap

This type of snap is rare and often seen on 2-point conversions. The ball doesn’t necessarily need to go between a player’s legs.

It can be thrown to the side if the snap moves backward to an eligible player. Teams often use this type of snap to throw the ball behind a wall of players, who barrel forward for a first down.

This play is often found in 2-point play situations, where teams utilize the short field and spread formation to attack the weakest side (left, right, or even up the middle, as shown above).

This snap is hardly done, but it can effectively snap in different directions when executed correctly.

How To Snap A Football

There is a snap of some type to begin the play on every single play (outside of a kickoff or free-kick). Before we can even get to our advanced plays, we need to understand how the ball can be snapped. 

Above, we learned how to fundamentally snap the football. Now, let’s learn the different types of football snaps in each play. Here are the types of football snaps we’ll cover:

• Regular Snap
• Shotgun Snap
• Dead Ball Snap

Under Center Snap

The traditional snap is the most basic quarterback-center exchange. It is the first type taught at the Pee-Wee football level and is used at every level of football.

The quarterback lines up under the center and readies himself for the snap. The center snaps the ball, bends his wrist, and delivers it directly into the hands of his quarterback.

This snap is the safest type of snap, as the center is making direct contact with the quarterback’s hands. This is the most common type of snap, and most teams have a version of how they take an under-center snap.

Shotgun Snap

As offenses began to emphasize the passing attack, the ‘Shotgun’ formations became a significant part of the game.

This involves the quarterback moving a few yards back behind the center. For the center to snap the ball, he will now have to toss the ball through the air and reach his quarterback.

Teams will use the shotgun snap because it will help the quarterback see the field to throw the football. The farther back he stands, the easier it is to throw the ball without offensive or defensive linemen in his face.

Below is a clip of how this snap looks:

This snap is common in most levels of football. The center has a good grip on the ball and does his best to have a tight spiral in his snap. A good spiral makes it easy for the quarterback to catch it and throw it himself.

Shotgun snapping allows the quarterback to see more of the field.

Dead Ball Shotgun Snap

Shotgun snaps are becoming the primary snap for more college and NFL teams. As expected, coaches have found a way to maximize how the quarterback delivers the ball.

The “Dead Ball” snap can replace the one-handed regular shotgun snap.

Like a regular shotgun snap, the center snaps the ball through his legs to reach the quarterback. However, there is no spiral.

The ball is flipped back to the quarterback, who must grab the snap and then re-adjust the ball in his hands, so he has a proper grip. This small change allows other linemen to play the Center position without worrying about getting the technique of the traditional shotgun snaps mastered.

This should also minimize the chance of an errant snap. With no spiral technique in the wrist, the center does a pendulum-like backward action, which has a smaller chance of error.

As a result, this snap has become increasingly popular.

Accelerate Your Learning

Below are offensive lineman articles to help you learn even more.

How To Play Offensive Line In Football – Complete Guide

Offensive Line Play: The Proper Stance

Why Offensive Linemen Wear Knee Braces & Elbow Sleeves

Who Protects The Quarterback In Football?