Snapper Lifting Ball Off Ground to "Reposition"

[NVFOA_Ump]

After the RFP, How flexible are you Umpires in regards to allowing the snapper to actually lift the ball off of the ground vs. simply "rolling" to get correct "position" prior to the snap?

[hef333]

First one's a warning...then comes the flag....I try to watch the centers in pre game to see if they have any "bad habits" before the game starts...always better to correct/advise prior to the game. Also, great trick for umpires is to ask or notice which way the laces go when they snap the ball...saves time/effort of them flipping the ball every play...they seem to appreciate it.

[riffraft]

7.1.2 states that a snapper may LIFT may lift the ball for lateral rotation. Before the game I let the center know they can lift the ball to rotate, but be careful not to make it look like you are snapping the ball.

Coaches (and some officials) are surprised when I let them know that the snapper can lift the ball as long as it doesnt simulate the snap and/or they don't rotate it end to end.

[bossman72]

You see this in youth games.  Center will grab the ball, pull it into his chest, grip the ball to his liking, then put it back down.  Foul.

Otherwise, the ball should be on or within a few inches of the ground when doing adjustments.

[AlUpstateNY]

7.1.2 states that a snapper may LIFT may lift the ball for lateral rotation. Before the game I let the center know they can lift the ball to rotate, but be careful not to make it look like you are snapping the ball.

Coaches (and some officials) are surprised when I let them know that the snapper can lift the ball as long as it doesnt simulate the snap and/or they don't rotate it end to end.

Everyone deserves one warning, ONE. An Umpire has lots of things to focus on, pre-snap. A Snapper playing with the football is NOT on that list.

[GoodScout]

First one's a warning...then comes the flag....I try to watch the centers in pre game to see if they have any "bad habits" before the game starts...always better to correct/advise prior to the game. Also, great trick for umpires is to ask or notice which way the laces go when they snap the ball...saves time/effort of them flipping the ball every play...they seem to appreciate it.

This. Completely this. Give them a warning, especially early in the season. Ask them pregame how they like the ball positioned, then put it that way for them every time you set the ball.

[Clockkiller92]

Had a game 9/25 where center did the spin of the ball tips180 turn around.  Warned him, flagged him 2 times the rest of the game.  He walked up to me later, and said the previous 4 games he had done it on occasion and no one penalized him.  I said it's the rule, and I gave you a warning.  Umpires, we need to do our jobs.  Just confuses the kids when they get penalized for something they've done but had'nt got penalized.