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Football Officiating => National Federation Discussion => Topic started by: Jackhammer on January 14, 2013, 06:09:45 PM
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I've noticed several centers in the NFL while making a shotgun/pistol snap headbobbing. this isn't necessarily looking back to locate the QB, but a relative quick movement prior to the snap. I know it's the NFL, and haven't noticed it in HS yet.
Just wondering if folks would view this as legal, haven't seen it called in the league yet.
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If it simulates action - ^flag
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you know, I noticed the same.
Seems the head bob is in lieu of a verbal snap count.
I'm sure the practice will trickle down soon enough to NCAA, HS, et al.
BUT that said, it doesnt seem to simulate action - no one from B is jumping due to it that I have seen (I know it's not a determining criteria, but....)
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It's really nothing new. If it draws the defense into the NZ, the first time it happens, the snapper has earned a flag for false start. If there is no response by the defense, it can be helpful to whisper to the snapper, that if any such movement should subsequently draw the defense into the NZ, the snapper will be the one flagged.
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I would say it goes hand in hand with a QB in shotgun formation stomping his foot as he calls for the ball as he is leaning his upper body forward at the same time. To me that is simulating the start of the play. And it should be called everytime and not just when the defense jumps.
If a reciever jerks his hands then dead ball, false start. we dont wait for defense to respond.
I believe there is too much leaniancy in those moves by QB and center
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I would say it goes hand in hand with a QB in shotgun formation stomping his foot as he calls for the ball as he is leaning his upper body forward at the same time. To me that is simulating the start of the play. And it should be called everytime and not just when the defense jumps.
If a reciever jerks his hands then dead ball, false start. we dont wait for defense to respond.
I believe there is too much leaniancy in those moves by QB and center
QB lifting foot to tell center to snap it AND stepping forward in doing so, round these parts, it is flagged very stiffly for IS or IM. (depending on if the R gives the correct signal)
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Im not talking about lifting, Its the stomping as he is pumping his hands at the center that i am talking about!
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I believe there is too much leaniancy in those moves by QB and center
Is there some huge advantage gained by doing this?
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Is there some huge advantage gained by doing this?
Possibly, yes, by keeping the defense off balance. If the movement of the QB and the snap of the ball is the same every time, no, an advantage is not gained. But for the most part the offense gains that small edge, IMO, to which they are not entitled, IF they simulate action.
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I think we need a video to see exactly the sort of motion that's being discussed. Personally I have no issue with allowing the offense to silent count from shotgun by having the center look between his legs and then lift his head up so he can see who's about to hit him, which is what I think 99% of the pre-snap movement amounts to.
If you're going to force the center to keep his head down when the QB's not up under him, then surely it should also come with the same protection for regaining his balance given to a longsnapper?
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I think we need a video to see exactly the sort of motion that's being discussed. Personally I have no issue with allowing the offense to silent count from shotgun by having the center look between his legs and then lift his head up so he can see who's about to hit him, which is what I think 99% of the pre-snap movement amounts to.
If you're going to force the center to keep his head down when the QB's not up under him, then surely it should also come with the same protection for regaining his balance given to a longsnapper?
We agree.
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If we are talking about eg. the Seattle snapper, I don't think the head movement in any way simulates snap and should not be flagged. If anything it gives the defense an additional cue to time the snap.