Except for kickoffs, every play in football begins with some type of snap from center. There are a variety of snaps, depending on the formation and game situation.The proper hand positioning is essential for an efficient snap exchange on every play.
Under Center
A quarterback taking a snap from under center is most common. To take a snap under center, the quarterback will bend his knees and place his throwing hand just under the center's tailbone pad. The throwing hand will be the top hand in the snap and iSport says it should be palm down and flat against the center. The bottom hand should be open and extend down at a 65- to 70-degree angle. The hands should form an alligator-mouth shape with the heels of the hands touching each other.
Shotgun
The shotgun is an offensive formation that positions the quarterback about 5 yards behind the center. In the shotgun, the center snaps or pushes the ball blindly back to the quarterback. When taking a shotgun snap, the quarterback should hold his hands at chest level and close together to form a target or pocket for the center to aim. Spread the fingers out as much as possible and hold them in a mostly vertical position with the fingers pointing up, according to iSport.
Field Goal
The holder catches the long snap while kneeling on one knee for field-goal attempts. The hand positioning for holders on field goals is unique compared with the other snaps. The holder should start by positioning 1 yard to the kicking leg side of the kicker and kneeling on his front knee. Put your back hand down on the ground where you will place the ball and extend your front arm fully toward the snapper. Point your palm to the snapper and your fingers to the sky. As the ball is snapped, bring your back hand off the ground to the same extended position close to your front hand to catch the snap.
Punt
The snap for a punt is the longest, covering 12 to 15 yards. Catching a punt uses the same basic form as catching a shotgun snap, except your arms should be extended toward the snapper. Your palms will face the snapper and your fingers should be pointed upward, with your hands close together to form a pocket or target for the snapper. The arms are extended so you can catch the ball away from your body, since long snaps are more forceful and could result in a turnover if they hit your chest.
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