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How to Long Snap a Football

How can I learn to long snap a football better and right on target?

I will assume that you are right handed. You should position yourself over the ball so that the ball is slightly out in front of you and you need to reach out for it. Your feet should be spread wide enough apart so that you are comfortable and your back is flat, not rounded. A flat back is critical.

Position your right hand on the ball with the laces down so that your fingers of your right hand are in contact with the laces and slightly overlapping them. You want to keep a firm grip with your finger tips but don't grip the ball too tightly. There should be a small gap between the palm of your hand and the ball. Your left hand is your guide hand and you will use both hands in making the snap. The index finger of your guide (left) hand should be positioned close to the seam at the top of the ball. As you make snaps the position of this finger can be moved slightly to the left or right depending on the path the ball takes (left or right) but this is a good place to start.

Once you are in position and have gripped the ball with both hands, stand up and place the ball just above your head still holding it with both hands. This is approximately the position of the ball with respect to your body from which you will make the real snap when down. While still standing up with the ball above your head make a practice throw using both hands. In making the throw, move your hands forward not down. Both hands should be involved and make sure to pronate your hands/wrists during the throw and finish with both thumbs pointed down and palms pointed out. Pronating your wrists will ensure a tight spiral just as it does with a forward pass. Do this a few times to get a feel for the motion and the effort involved.

Now place the ball back on the ground and take the proper position over the ball and grip it as explained earlier. To make the snap you want to slide the ball back between your legs keeping your hands close to the ground. Don't bring them up close to your butt during the snap. Keeping your hands close to the ground will keep the snap lower. Remember that a high snap is a big problem. Low snaps can be fielded but if you snap the ball over the kicker's head, that is usually a disaster. As you snap the ball back don't forget to pronate your hands/wrists. From this position, after you've snapped the ball, your thumbs will be up, not down, and your palms should face out.

As you snap the ball, slide your feet/body backwards slightly to add momentum. (Sliding your body backwards like this is a good drill to work on all by itself.) You should be aiming the ball to arrive at the kicker between his belly button and right hip if he is a right footed kicker.

Long snapping is an important skill to learn. If you can make the long snap reliably, you will have a significant advantage over other players.