How to properly take a snap as a Youth Football Quarterback

The snap, which is the direct exchange of the football from the center to the quarterback, is the most important ball exchange on the football field. If the center can not properly snap the ball to the quarterback the play will be dead before it even starts. A bad snap can also result in a potential turnover. In this article I will give the proper technique of how to correctly take a snap as a youth football quarterback.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Football
• Center
• Quarterback

1. The quarterback should line up directly behind the center. The quarterback will be behind the center with his knees flexed and his eyes watching the defense.
   The positioning of the hands is extremely important. The hands should be placed under the backside of center with the top hand being the quarterbacks throwing hand. If you are a right handed quarterback your right hand will be on top. The heels of the quarterbacks hand should be together with the fingers spread apart wide to be able to accept the football once snapped.

2. The center should be in his proper stance as a center. To begin the snap the quarterback will call his cadence and with the designated signal the center will begin the snap. The center will move the ball thru his legs to the quarterback's waiting hands. The ball should reach the quarterback's hands and be in a horizontal position (the ends of the football facing in the same direction as the line of scrimmage). This way the ball is in the quarterbacks hand properly and ready to go. The quarterback should apply pressure with his top hand when accepting the snap to make sure the ball is properly in his hands.
   The quarterback should still have his eyes focused downfield on the defense as he is accepting the snap. The quarterback is now ready to separate from the center and is ready to run the designed play.

3. Please check my other articles on executing a three step drop, as well as other QB skills and drills.

Tips & Warnings

• QB needs to keep eyes downfield on defense
• Proper hand placement is a key

Resources

• How to run the FLASH PASSING QUARTERBACK DRILL for YOUTH FOOTBALL PLAYERS
• How to teach a proper THREE STEP DROP to your YOUTH FOOTBALL QUARTERBACK (3-STEP DROP)
• How to teach a YOUTH QUARTERBACK how to pass correctly
• How to choose the CORRECT SIZE FOOTBALL for your YOUTH FOOTBALL PLAYER

[bpreardon]

on 10/21/2009 Some great youth football coaching tips here.

[cherylscott]

on 8/8/2009 You must be a great football player! 5s.

[jenng]

on 8/8/2009 Great article on How to properly take a snap as a Youth Football Quarterback 5*