How to Snap a Football

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By an eHow Contributing Writer

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Though it is the most elementary part of a football play, snapping the ball is also the most critical. A play does not begin until you snap the ball. The player who performs the football snap is known as the center. He will snap the ball to the quarterback or punter to initiate a play. There are three types of snaps to know when you learn beginner football. They are direct, shotgun and long.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Get in a comfortable position behind the football. The center's knees should be bent so he is in a position in which he can bend over and grasp the football. His feet should be shoulder width apart.
Step 2

Grab the football with one or both hands. Using two hands helps keep a firm grip on the ball. It is also beneficial when you snap the ball to a quarterback in the shotgun position or to a punter.
Step 3

Snap the ball to the quarterback or punter. This is done by bringing the football through the center's legs. If the quarterback is positioned directly behind the center, it's a direct football snap. A snap in which the quarterback is a few yards behind the center is called a shotgun football snap. Finally, a snap to the punter is generally 7 to 10 yards behind the center and known as a long football snap.

Tips & Warnings

Making sure the quarterback receives the ball is the center's primary job. He is also required to block.
Talk to the quarterback about how he'd like to receive the ball. Some quarterbacks prefer to have the seams of the football on a particular side.
One of the key things when you learn beginner football is to make sure you know the snap count. A premature or late snap will result in the offensive team being called for false start or offsides penalties.