Scientific Terminology Instructions

Stance Position

The long snapper’s body is in a ready position, similar to the regular stance of a center’s

in a quarterback exchange.  The ankles of the snapper are dorsiflexed. The flexion at the knees stretches the extensor muscles of the quadriceps.  These slightly stretched muscles will aid contraction of the same muscle group.  The lower spine rounds, displaying a stationary flexion of the spinal column.  The rounding of the spinal column allows the snapper to focus on the punter. The football is extended with the hands toward the line of scrimmage.  Both hands are neutral and the arms are approximately at 90 degrees flexion at the glenohumeral joints. The elbows are slightly flexed, which stretches the extensor muscles of the arms prior to rapid extension.

Acceleration Phase

In the second phase of the long snap, the body moves from stationary to

acceleration. The body weight on the ankles shifts from dorsi flexion toward

plantar flexion. The spinal column experiences extreme flexion as the football

proceeds on its angular path.  The football travels in a clockwise rearward rotation with the hands.  Extension and adduction of the glenohumeral joints causes the rearward motion of the arms. This motion leads both forearms and hands between the legs.

Release and Deceleration Phase

Phase three picks up where phase two leaves off. The spinal column is fully

flexed, allowing the arms and the football to pass and release freely between the

legs. In this release stage, a rapid extension of the forearm with medial rotation

accompanies the right hand pronation. The football is pushed away by the

fingers of both hands as it is released. Once the snap is made, the body loses

angular velocity, and this is deceleration. This deceleration is a result of the

braking force provided by eccentric contraction and the elastic components of

the antagonsitic muscle groups.

Goal Post Drill

1. Line up 12 to 15 yards from the goal post.
2. Snap the ball and try to hit the goal post.
3. See how many times you can hit it in a row.

This drill is beneficial because it works on accuracy.

Distance Snap Drill

1. Place several balls on ground in front of you.
2. Make sure you have the proper approach, grip and stance.
3. Snap each ball as straight and as far as you can. Strive more for distance.

This drill is beneficial because it works on snapping strength and torque.

Repeat Snap Drill
1. You need about 8 to 10 balls and 2 helpers or 1 helper and a backstop.
2. Have the balls placed in front of you in a line the way you like to grip them.
3. Snap the first ball.
4. Have your helper place the next ball on the ground in front of you positioned the way you like to grip the ball.
5. Snap the ball as soon as you get your hands on the new ball.
6. Repeat with rest of balls.
7. The 2nd person will catch the snapped balls. Or the backstop will stop the balls.
8. If your snaps are consistently straight, then you have a good release point.
9. If your snaps are not consistently straight, work on your follow through with your hands and fingers pointing back at the punter.

This drill works on the release point and accuracy.

Definitions of Scientific terms

Dorsiflexed- ball of the foot is moved towards the shin

Flexion- to blend; in hinge joints, the articulating bones move closer together; in ball and socket joints, the limb moves anterior to the midaxillary line

Stretches- to lengthen, widen, distend, and/or extend   

Extensor muscles of quadriceps- rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius, and vastus medialis

Contraction- occurs when a muscle fiber lengthens or shortens  

Lower Spine- the section of the spine that makes up the lower back, lumbar area which includes five vertebrae

Stationary flexion- static movement that decreases the angle between two bones attached at the same joint   

Spinal column- (backbone or spine) is a column usually consisting of 24 articulating vertebrae, and 9 fused vertebrae in the sacrum and the coccyx. It is situated in the dorsal aspect of the torso, separated by intervertebral discs. It houses and protects the spinal cord in its spinal canal. 

Extended- stretched out, spread out, continued, prolonged, and/or outstretched

Neutral- not aligned with or supporting any side

90 degrees flexion- turn lower arm so palm faces down, raise arm shoulder height and bend elbow joint to right angle  

Glenohumeral Joint- ball-and-socket joint in which the head of the humerus articulates with the glenoid fossa of the scapula 

Extension- is a movement of a joint that results in increased angle between two bones or body surfaces at a joint.

Acceleration- rate of change in velocity, or the change in velocity occurring over a given time 

Plantar flexion- sagittal plane rotation at the ankle occurs when the lower leg is moved relative to the foot, or motion pushing the top of the foot toward the ground  

Angular path- path of travel with rotation around a central line in an angular position

Clockwise rearward rotation- the spiral of a football thrown by a right-handed person, will travel in a clock-wise rearward rotation from the finger tips

Adduction- is a movement which brings a part of the anatomy closer to the sagittal plane of the body

Medial rotation- rotation of an arm and/or leg as a unit in the transverse plane

Angular velocity- rate of change in the angular position or orientation of a line segment 

Deceleration- to decrease the velocity of, or to slow down the rate of advancement of

Eccentric contraction- describing a contraction involving lengthening of a muscle 

Elastic components- is the ability of muscle fibers to return to normal length after a stretch  

Antagonsitic muscle groups- role played by a muscle group acting to slow or stop a movement