penalty call

Question
I was at Notre Dame game Saturday. what is a roughing the snapper penalty all about

Answer
Sylvester
Thank you for your question.  A long snapper may not be contacted until one second has elapsed after the snap when the Kicking Team is in a scrimmage kick formation and it is reasonably obvious that a kick might be attempted.  In this formation the snapper is afforded special protection since he is in a vulnerable position susceptible to injury.  This special protection is a player safety rule.  It only applies to the snapper on scrimmage kick plays who are in scrimmage kick formations where the kick is obvious.  Rule 9-1-2-o states: When a team is in scrimmage kick formation, a defensive player may not initiate contact with the snapper until one second has elapsed after the snap.  The snapper has one second to snap the ball and then position himself to block, protect himself or to release down field. Other players who have special protection from being roughed are the Holder, Kicker and passer.


(EXAMPLES: A.R. 9-1-2-XVIII-XX).

XVIII. A10 is in a shotgun-type formation 7-1/2 yards behind the snapper, who has his head down and is looking backward through his legs. Immediately after the snap, nose guard B55 charges directly at the snapper and contacts him by pushing him backward.     RULING: Legal. The snapper is not afforded any special protection because it was not reasonably obvious that a kick might be attempted (Rule 2-15-10). The snapper does have the usual protection against any personal foul for unnecessary roughness.


XIX. Team A is in an obvious scrimmage kick formation. Immediately after the snap, nose guard B55 charges directly at the snapper, contacts him, and drives him backward. The ball is snapped to an upback three yards behind the scrimmage line or to the potential kicker, who instead runs with or passes the ball.    RULING: Foul. Penalty?5 yards and automatic first down. The snapper may not be contacted until one second has elapsed after the snap when Team A is in a scrimmage kick formation and it is reasonably obvious that a kick might be attempted.


XX. Immediately after the snap, with Team A in an obvious scrimmage kick formation, noseguard B71 attempts to 搒hoot the gap?between the snapper and the adjacent lineman. B71抯 initial legal contact is with the lineman next to the snapper.   RULING: Legal. Incidental contact with the snapper after this initial legal contact is not a foul (Rule 2-15-10).

I hope this explains the roughing the snapper rule.
Vic Winnek
NCAA Football Official