Back to the basics: Shotgun snapping with confidence

Fundamentals and Performance,shotgun,center snap,Anthony Stone,stance,Grip

Back to the basics: Shotgun snapping with confidence

Anthony Stone Thu, 06/30/2016 – 4:34pm

There is a common issue for many teams that snap the football in the shotgun: the ball goes over the quarterback’s head, the ball is dropped, the ball flies to the side of the quarterback or the ball rolls back to the quarterback.

Every play starts with the center, so whether the team is playing flag football or tackle, it is vital to build the center’s confidence and skills so the ball is properly delivered to the quarterback.

SEE ALSO: Read more of Anthony Stone’s Back to the Basics blog series

Eugene Crosby is the offensive line coach at St. Olaf College and works all of his centers and long snappers through the same routine.

It all starts with the center being in the proper stance. This means being balanced with evenly distributed weight and not too forward of a lean.

When it comes to the snap itself, it is important to emphasize a consistent release point. That means making sure the center is not releasing the ball above the knees. The higher the release, the higher the snap gets to the quarterback. The same goes if you release the ball to low.

To get the best outcome, emphasize the release going through the calf muscle.  

Another teaching point is to make sure the athlete is not breaking his wrist. This can lead to an unpredictable delivery. When the center moves and snaps at the same time, the ball tends to drift in that direction – i.e. if you step right, the ball drifts right.

Crosby can take any player on a football team and with a little work make them comfortable and consistent in delivering the ball.

Coaches who are part of Heads Up Football can use the USA Football system already are ahead of the game in teaching this skill.

Stance. Start with the stance position for Heads Up Blocking.

Grip. Just like throwing a football but put the hand up a little bit or put the index finger on the tip of the football, whichever is more comfortable for the center.

The rest of it comes through practice. When centers and QBs are together, take any moments of down time and turn them into reps, making sure the quarterbacks are at the same depth every time. If linemen are alone, try this: Take two garbage cans, and turn one upside down. Place the other can on its side and Duck tape it on top of the upside down with the open end pointed at the center. The ball should go in the sideways can every time.

Reinforce positive thinking in your centers. If they are struggling, get them in the habit of saying, “I can do it,” before getting into their routine. When they do it correctly, it puts a smile on their face and builds confidence.

Once the center has the shotgun motion down, the next step is to get into blocking position.

Now, it is time to go to the practice field. Tweak the system to find what works best for your players.

Good luck. Use the hashtag #BackToTheBasics on Twitter to let me know how it’s going.

Anthony Stone is a USA Football Regional Master Trainerand a physical education teacher at Gregory Elementary in Rockford, Ill. He has coached football at the youth, middle school, high school, college and indoor professional levels. He has been a coach for the U.S. Women’s National Team program and will coach the 2017 Australia Women’s Outback National Team. Follow him on Twitter @Coach_Stone_MTand ask him questions with the hashtag: #AskUSAHUFMT.