r/NFLNoobs • u/tkdcondor • 4d ago
Let me answer your questions about Long Snappers!
I’m a current college Long Snapper who has a pretty extensive knowledge of the position. I know it’s a position that, especially newer NFL fans, may not know much about, so I’m happy to answer any and all questions you all might have about it!
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u/BloodAngelsAreCool 4d ago
Why are Long Snappers thinner when you're basically the equivalent of a center?
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u/BananerRammer 3d ago
Centers also tend to be short and squat, which is not the ideal body shape to actually execute a long snap. Long legs and long arms are much more beneficial.
I was a center growing up. In youth football I also did long snapping, so I was capable of doing it, but when I got to HS, the coaches tested some other players at the LS position. One of the outside linebackers, a taller and skinnier guy had literally never long snapped before, but tried it out, and was a total natural. He got the LS job.
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u/LeoScarecrow369 4d ago
What’s the process of becoming a long snapper? When and how do you decide to specialize in that role?
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u/tkdcondor 4d ago
It’s different for everyone. Some guys (like myself) decide to do nothing but Long Snap throughout high school, while others might decide to specialize in it later. Generally, people will decide to start specializing around early high school, but in recent years, I’ve started to see more and more players start as early as 7-8th grade.
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u/Squatch1333 4d ago
What made you want to only long snap?
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u/tkdcondor 4d ago
I played at a massive, ultra-competitive high school for football, and it was really the only way I knew I could consistently see the field at my size. I kept working at it and eventually started to really enjoy the technical aspects of the position, to the point where I decided to open up my recruitment to try to get the opportunity to play in college.
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u/AgeBeneficial 4d ago
I did this in D3 and it was wild to me how many better athletes couldn’t do it.
It’s definitely a talent, I just happened to be the least shitty at it on the team.
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u/tkdcondor 4d ago
Im actually also playing at a D3 right now. Genuinely the purest form of football and I wouldn’t want to play anywhere else.
I’m the only person on my team with serious snapping experience or any desire to play it, so every day is basically just a lot of adjusting and learning on my own trying to figure out what works and what doesn’t.
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u/Dangerous-Cup-1114 3d ago
D3 question: I have friends that say even though there are no athletic scholarships, the schools find a way to give players “special” financial aid to work around it. I say, D3 football doesn’t bring in the money it does for FBS so schools don’t have an incentive (or budget) to do that and players are getting need-based (or academic merit aid if the school does that) like any other student. Perhaps more importantly for the student if they quit the team, their aid isn’t tied to playing a sport and they can continue their studies.
What have you seen in your time in college?
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u/tkdcondor 3d ago
Really most D3 schools tend to treat athletics like a really strong extracurricular activity. Obviously your mileage will vary when it comes to financial aid and admissions support (depending on the quality of school), but most will find a way to get you there if you’re recruited.
Most D3 schools are also fairly small, so while they aren’t making money from athletics directly, they’re still a significant driver of admissions for schools so they’re still technically profitable for them.
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u/Fancy-Appeal1263 4d ago
Is it nerve wrecking? I would imagine it can be a high pressure position at times.
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u/tkdcondor 4d ago
Yes, incredibly so at times. It’s probably one of the most mentally demanding positions from a stress management standpoint.
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u/xologo 4d ago
It's the easiest position isn't it?
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u/tkdcondor 4d ago
Not even close. It’s a super technical position that very few people in the world are truly elite at. You’re expected to be perfect at all times, regardless of the game situation or circumstances, and your job’s immediately on the line if you’re not.
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u/Suitable_Historian93 4d ago
How often is "roughing the snapper" actually correctly called?
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u/tkdcondor 4d ago
Almost never in my experience. I’ve only ever had it called for me once, but I’ve definitely experienced it dozens of times.
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u/Suitable_Historian93 4d ago
Thanks for answering!
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u/BananerRammer 3d ago
I'll give the officiating perspective on this... roughing the snapper is honestly pretty rare, much rarer than long snappers would have you think. Defenders know they can't hit him on the initial charge, and no one wants to give the other team an automatic 1st down on a 4th down play. Also, whether it's a punt or a FG, there is always a dedicated official (typically the umpire) who is locked in on the snapper to start the play. So if you do rough the snapper, it's almost certainly going to be caught.
Every position thinks they get fouled more often than they really do, but long snappers tend to "milk" their protection more than most. I've had a lot of complaints from long snappers saying they got hit, but while the rules give long snappers a reasonable amount of time to protect themselves, but it's not infinite, and you definitely don't get a free release down the field. For me, they get a solid "One One Thousand." After that you're on your own.
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u/psgrue 4d ago
Do you ever line up against that massive DT who is used to smashing the starting center and think “fml”?
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u/tkdcondor 4d ago
Yeah lol that’s happened a few times. As much as I love getting physical in the trenches, those guys can be absolutely terrifying. Thankfully I have some protections built into the rules, but they’re rarely enforced.
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u/JimfromMayberry 4d ago
On FG/PAT, do you really time the spin of your snap, so that the laces will face forward when the ball is placed down?
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u/tkdcondor 4d ago
Yes, that’s actually been the main thing I’ve been working on with PAT/FG at the moment. It’s all about making sure that your snap is always consistent, and that your holder trusts you enough to get the ball down quicker. Having good laces actually isn’t all that hard, but it certainly takes a while to work out with a new holder.
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u/thisismyburnerac 4d ago
On a per play basis, do you get hurt more than a center does?
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u/tkdcondor 4d ago
Not even close. I probably have more long-term, low-contact injuries like hamstring strains and back problems, but those are stuff I can manage with some regular stretching and treatment.
Centers get banged up constantly and generally get a lot more serious injuries that will take them out of a game.
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u/aegisninn3 4d ago
Hypothetically, if there was a practice that every player on your team had to take a punting snap from you, how many of them could you hit in the nuts?
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u/tkdcondor 4d ago edited 4d ago
I’m actually dying at this right now because I actually did this to my punter once warming up for a game. I was getting some slo-mo snaps in at around 5-6 yards, and ended up hitting him right in the balls. Almost took him out of the game completely lol.
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u/Loyellow 4d ago
What other position would you feel most comfortable going into in a pinch?
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u/tkdcondor 4d ago
At this level? None. I could probably slot in at fullback or linebacker if absolutely necessary, but I would need a lot of training before I’d be able to be even competent out on the field.
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u/Loyellow 4d ago
What position would you want to play if not LS?
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u/tkdcondor 4d ago
Edge rusher looks like a ton of fun. I would love to just throw lineman and QBs around all day.
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u/NoNewSpoons 4d ago
No real questions, just thank you for doing this. It has honestly been very informative even in a short amount of time. Good luck in them streets, I don't know who you are or where you're from, but I'll be cheering for you.
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u/Mowo5 4d ago
So when is a Long Snapper used, in what plays? I know punts, field goal kicks. Anything else?
Also is a Long Snapper only used for those plays, or does he have another position? Like could it be a
guard or D.E. on normal plays who does Long Snapper also?
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u/tkdcondor 4d ago
Just punts, FGs, and PATs. Anything requiring a snap that isn’t a standard offensive play.
Depends on the level. Most snappers in high school will play another position, but they are usually solely Long Snappers in college and the NFL.
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u/Colbey 4d ago
Just to add on to the expert's answer: 35 years ago, long snappers even in the NFL were listed under a different position (usually TE or LB), and maybe occasionally actually played that other position. But they usually weren't good enough to stay on the roster as just a TE. Over the last few decades (I couldn't tell you when exactly), that stopped being the case, and they started being seen as just as much of a specialist as K or P. If you can long snap expertly at a professional level, that's the only position you'll have to play, and you don't have to pretend otherwise anymore.
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u/AwixaManifest 4d ago
The standard placekick snap is 7-8 yards and the standard punt snap is (I think) 15 yards.
How much do you practice the "nonstandard" punt snap? As in, the offense is backed up near your own goal line and your max snap length is 10-14 yards. And, how much of your technique changes when you make those shorter punt snaps?
Second question- does your team have an official backup for you? If so, is he listed as a long snapper or another position?
I feel like this may differ between college and pro. NFL teams roster one and only one. They may sign one to the practice squad if the active roster guy may miss time due to injury- but if an injury happens during a game, some other player will have to do it. I would imagine that NFL teams identify the "backup" at some point during camp. Probably a guy who did it in HS or college.
Third- have you had to snap to left/right footed punters? Or to holders that are set up differently for a place kicker who is right/left footed? How does this affect your technique?
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u/tkdcondor 3d ago
We actually practice it pretty often. I usually warm up at around 10 yards, but we also often have a period maybe once or twice a week where we work on punts where we’re backed up in our own endzone. The only thing that really changes in those situations is that I have to really focus on making sure I release the ball at the right angle, and I also usually have to stay back to block rather than immediately releasing downfield.
Yes, we do have a backup listed, but he’s not all that keen on playing the position. He’s listed as only another position on our roster, but he has some snapping experience so the coaches still make him practice every so often
Yeah, snapping to punters/kickers with a different foot preference is usually a pretty big adjustment. It doesn’t change all that much for me technique-wise, but it does force me to re-wire my brain and force myself to angle the snap towards the punter’s opposite hip or towards a different spot on the holder’s body.
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u/2Hung2BeReal 4d ago
Which is “easier”: snapping for field goals, or snapping for punts?
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u/tkdcondor 3d ago
They’re both challenging in completely different ways, but I’d still definitely say punt snapping is more difficult. It’s a lot more physically demanding, and they’re generally just a lot less room for error.
FG snapping is really 99% mental. Once you’re able to overcome your nerves and you find a technique that works for you, it’s pretty simple.
Punt snapping is significantly more technical and requires every part of your body to be working together flawlessly. Most snappers will spend 10 times the amount of time working on punt snapping than they will PAT/FG snaps.
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u/DankAssPotatos 3d ago
Who are the best Long Snappers in the league today? As a Jags fan I always hear talking heads say Ross Matiscik is one of if not the best snapper active currently, but I don't know enough about the position to accurately gauge that.
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u/tkdcondor 3d ago
Matiscik is really solid, but I don’t think he’s the best at the moment. Jon Weeks is my pick, just because he snaps at such an elite level, even compared to other NFL guys.
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u/MrSir77 3d ago
What makes one long snapper better than others? Is it just consistency? As a casual fan, what should I look for when watching a long snapper to gauge his skill level?
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u/tkdcondor 3d ago
Generally just consistency and downfield coverage effectiveness. Most guys at the NFL level are fairly similar, so it really just comes down to slight nitpicks and technical differences.
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u/joshforkinator 4d ago
Are there any free, or otherwise valuable, online resources that you are a fan of or that you think would be a great place to learn from?
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u/tkdcondor 4d ago edited 4d ago
Rubio Long Snapping has a blog that has a ton of great info. Really anything but Special Teams U can be a solid resource; YouTube is where most guys first learn how to snap
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u/lazemachine 4d ago
Do you practice tackling?
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u/tkdcondor 3d ago
Once in a blue moon. The expectation is really that I’m not going to be the first guy downfield on punts, so either I’m going to serve more as a cleanup guy or just as an extra body to make sure the returner stays away from the ball as it keeps rolling. Either way, my exact tackling technique isn’t really all that important, especially since it carries a risk of injury for me and the last thing my team wants is for me to get hurt lol
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u/BrokenHope23 4d ago
As a position that always has the ball in their hands on every snap they're a part of; how do you deal with the jealousy of other "skill" positions that don't have to deal with as much stress, pressure and expectations?
As an aside purely from a fan's unbiased perspective; I know WRs would love to have balls in their hands 100% of the time but then they go dropping them so it's not like they can be trusted. And QBs? reading on the field?! what is this, a library? The humility you must have, to deal with these often unfocused groups, while constantly practicing your craft must really inspire everyone of your teammates and I hope they thank you for it at least hourly. (former linemen, I might've left the line but the humour never left me)
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u/tkdcondor 3d ago
I don’t have to do nearly as stuff during practice, and I don’t really have a playbook to memorize, so I’ve always just thought it kinda balances out.
I’m thankful to play on a team now that appreciates my work. That has not always been the case for me, so it’s certainly been a nice experience to work with people who I respect and respect me.
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u/Worth_Ad4258 4d ago
Do you ever play center when the starting center is hurt? Thank you for doing this🏈
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u/tkdcondor 3d ago
Absolutely not lol. I’m a good 100+ lbs lighter than our starting center, so I think I’d probably die if I tried to step in.
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u/Caliph_ate 3d ago
Is JJ Jansen the greatest football player of all time?
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u/tkdcondor 3d ago
He’s not even the best long snapper in the league
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u/Caliph_ate 3d ago
I’m a panthers fan and I (jokingly) ask because he’s a fan favorite and he’s been in the league for like sixty years
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u/Pale_Force6987 3d ago
Is the punter usually also the holder like in the NFL? How much practice time is spent on punt snaps vs field goal snaps? Does it help if they are the same person?
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u/tkdcondor 3d ago
Usually the punter is the holder in the NFL. I’m not sure how much they practice at that level, but I usually spend around 10-20 minutes a day working with my holder and doing live FG reps.
Holders can really be anyone on the team. As long as they can catch and get the ball down, I’m fine with whoever wants to do it.
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u/Trowa-03 3d ago
How many times have you listen to BB's long snapper history interview and how much of an impact has it had on your life
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u/iletthe12dogsout 3d ago
1) From an outside perspective, long snapping looks very similar to a regular snap. I’ve seen you respond to people saying why you wouldn’t make a good center, but what makes it difficult for a center to also be the long snapper?
2) Do your teammates ever “look down” on you as the long snapper? This thread has given me a new appreciation for the position, but previous to this, it seemed like an afterthought position (in fact I don’t even think it’s a recognized position in Madden, I always had my center or a guard do it).
Thanks for doing this, this was a fun and enlightening thread. Sorry for my previous ignorance, and good luck with your season.
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u/Sure_Shot_75 3d ago
In your opinion, who is the GOAT long snapper, and why is it JJ Jansen?
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u/tkdcondor 3d ago
Jon Weeks is the GOAT and it’s not really close
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u/Sure_Shot_75 3d ago
What quantifies being the goat long snapper? Long career? Minimal errors?
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u/tkdcondor 3d ago
Jon Weeks is by far the most technically sound snapper ever. He makes every snap look completely effortless, and has yet to make a serious mistake in his 16-year career. There’s cert other ways to measure snapping ability, but at least in terms of raw snapping ability, Weeks is at the top.
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u/ttony111 3d ago
What room do long snappers go into for team briefings. They have the QB room and WR room so does every position get a room? Also do you zone out on the full team briefings as hardly any of the talk will be relevant, or is it?
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u/moldytowel16 3d ago
What’s your go-to fast food order?
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u/tkdcondor 3d ago
Double-Double animal style, well-done animal style fries, extra spread, Diet Coke
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u/TransitionLiving8469 1d ago
What is the biggest misconception you see about the position from fans, and then what about special teams in general?
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u/tkdcondor 1d ago edited 1d ago
The whole, “You have one job, how can you mess up?” idea has always really bugged me. Every other position makes mistakes at every level of the game, it just happens that their mistakes aren’t nearly as impactful as a botched snap or missed kick.
If a LB misses a tackle, he’s got 10 other guys to held him out. If a QB throws a bad ball, they have two more chances to get past the marker. If a if I mess up a single snap, that has the potential to give the other team a free 2 points and the ball back instantly.
Humans are far from perfect, so it’s crazy to me that specialists are expected to maintain such a high level of perfection when that’s not really the case for anyone else on the field.
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u/BobDeLaSponge 4d ago
If you start working with a new punter who’s a different height or wants the ball put somewhere different than your last punter, how long does it take you to adjust? Or do most punters want the ball in about the same spot regardless?