HOW TO LONG SNAP A FOOTBALL PART 2: PHYSICAL PREPARATION ON THE SIDELINES

Special Team Servant's Complete Guide to Long Snapping footballs Accurately, Consistently, and with Proper Technique

How To Long Snap a Football: Physical Preparation on the Sidelines

Now that you know how to mentally prepare for each long snap, we'll discuss how you should be physically preparing for each long snap.

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In Order to be Physically Prepared to Long Snap a Football, You Need to Have Proper Fitting Equipment

Make sure your helmet and shoulder pads fit snug.

You need to have enough flexibility so you can reach out and comfortably grab the football.

If your equipment is too loose it is likely to get in the way as you long snap the football which would affect your snap as well as your form.

You Need to Be Ready to Long Snap in Any Weather Condition

You could be playing in sunshine, rain, snow, and hail all in the same game! You need to make sure you are warmed up and ready at any given time, especially in colder weather.

Staying ready on the sidelines in colder weather will keep your blood flowing, keep your muscles loose, and enable you to snap to your potential without adding any risk to injury.

Always be Ready to Long Snap the Football

You could be called to long snap at any given time.

Your team could take an interception back to the house or have a big 50+ yard scoring touchdown. In either of these scenarios, you could be caught off guard and cold because they are big plays leading to a quick touchdown. You should've already had your helmet on and have remained loose on the sidelines to prepare to long snap for the extra point!

The last thing you want is to be surprised, have to run and find your helmet, rush onto the field to long snap without having taken any recent practice snaps on the sidelines.

Practice Snapping on the Sidelines Like You'll Snap at Any Moment in the Game

Walk up to the football like you would in a game. Get into the mental habit of thinking you only have one snap, and treat each snap like it is your only live snap during the game.

Snap the ball and take a short 15-30 second break before you snap another. It's about quality of reps, not quantity. You don't want to wear yourself out, rather you need to be having perfect practice.

You Could Even Use the Exercise Bike to Stay Warm

Long snapping is a total body activity, and the exercise bike is a great way to keep your entire body warm. You don't have to bike at maximum effort, but constant pedaling will keep your blood flowing, your body warm, and your muscles ready.

Conclusion: Physical Preparation on the Sidelines for Long Snapping

In order to be physically prepared to long snap, you should have proper fitting equipment that will not get in the way of your form or the snap. You should be ready to snap in any weather condition, and you should always be ready to snap the football. You should be practicing snapping on the sidelines and could even use an exercise bike to stay warm.

The next step in long snapping footballs Accurately, Consistently, and with Proper Technique is properly approaching the ball.