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Mastering the Long Snapper Position: Essential Skills & Techniques

The long snapper is arguably one of the most underappreciated yet vital positions in football. In the National Football League (NFL), where a game can be won or lost on one small mistake, it’s essential to have an accurate long snapper. One bad snap could lead to a turnover, which could cost a team the win. Because long snappers are typically only used on a handful of plays during a game and they arrive in situations where the defense is usually trying to disrupt a play, a long snapper must be accurate, quick, and composed under pressure.

 

 

What Is a Long Snapper?

What does the long snapper do? They snap the football anywhere from 7 to 15 yards in special teams’ situations. A center snaps the football to the quarterback in regular offensive sets. The quarterback can either line up behind the center to receive the football or in a shotgun formation, which is around 5 yards behind the center. A center is typically not a long snapper. They’re in the game for most offensive plays. 

 

There are 2 types of snaps that a long snapper makes during a football game. Below are descriptions of each: 

 

  • Punt Snap: A long snapper must snap the football to the punter, who’s lined up 15 yards from the line of scrimmage. These snaps must be high, accurate, and fast. For an NFL long snapper, a good time for when the ball leaves the snapper’s hand and the punter kicks the ball is between 1.8 and 2 seconds. The ball has to arrive quickly, so the punter has time to avoid the defensive rush and get the punt off.  

  • Field Goal/Extra Point Snap: The distance for a snap on a field goal/extra point is 7 yards. On this play, the long snapper is snapping the ball to a holder, who’s kneeling. The holder receives the snap and places it on the ground for the field goal kicker. It takes about 1.3 seconds on average for a field goal kicker to make their kick. For this play, the ball must come in low and accurate. 

 

A long snapper has the added responsibility of blocking after they snap the football. On field goals and extra points, where teams are always trying to block the kick, it’s extremely important to snap the ball quickly because the long snapper will have to get out of their crouch and block a lineman. Teams always try to block a field goal up the middle because that’s where the ball must travel. There’s sometimes less pressure to block on punts because teams might not rush. They could opt to set up for a punt return, which means the linemen will run back and try to create a wall of blockers for the returner. A good long snapper will deliver the football to either the punter or the holder the same way every time. Consistency is important. Whoever catches the football wants to know how and where the ball will be delivered. If the snap is off slightly, it can affect the timing of the play.

 

History of the Long Snapper

Long snappers have existed since football started. However, the term long snapper didn’t start to appear until sometime in the 1970s. In 1971, George Burman became the first dedicated long snapper in the NFL when Washington Redskins coach George Allen assigned him the task. Until that point, long snapping was typically the secondary task of a center or tight end or any player that could snap the ball effectively for up to 15 yards. As soon as Burman was elevated to the role of a long snapper specialist, the rest of the NFL followed, turning the long snapper into a regular position. Long snappers are rarely drafted in the NFL. Teams usually sign long snappers as free agents. Colleges do sometimes recruit for a long snapper. High school teams typically don’t have a dedicated long snapper.

 

Understanding the Long Snapper’s Grip

The most important component of getting a good snap off is the placement of your hands on the football, or the grip. Below is a description of the proper grip: 

 

Dominant Hand 

 

  • Your dominant hand should be on top with your fingers spread across the football and your thumb on the right side of the ball if you're right-handed. 

  • Your first and second fingers are the release points, which means they’ll guide the football when you snap it. 

  • There should be enough pressure on the ball so that you can control the football but not so much that your hand is tense. 

 

Guide Hand 

 

  • Place your guide under the ball with your fingers pointing away from you. 

  • Your fingers should be loosely placed on the football, which shouldn’t touch the palm of your hand. 

  • Place your middle finger on the football seam. 

 

You can move your guide hand up and down the football to fit your comfort level. A good snap should have a tight spiral, making it easier for the punter or holder to catch the football.

 

Training & Drills

It takes years of training and game experience to become a good long snapper. Below are a few drills you can work on with a partner to perfect your long snapping techniques. 

 

  • Underhand Pass Drill: The long snapper should stand 15 yards away from a partner, passing a football to them underhanded while staying stationary. This drill helps the long snapper to develop the wrist and forearm strength needed to deliver the football and the proper spin.  

  • One-Hand Pass Drill: Using the long snapper’s grip for your dominant hand, pass the ball to your partner who’s 8-10 yards away without taking a step. This drill is designed to work on your speed, accuracy, and the proper spin. 

  • Live Snap Drill: Practice snapping a football using the proper technique to a partner who’s 15 yards away. Focus on accuracy, speed and spin.  

     

Any player on a football team can learn how to be an effective long snapper with hard work and practice.