HOW TO LONG SNAP A FOOTBALL PART 8: COVERING THE PUNT

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

How To Long Snap a Football: Covering the Punt

Now that you know how to block after you long snap the football, let's review cover the punt.

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Be Aware of Who is Lined Up Across from You When You Long Snap

If there is someone right across from you, they may or may not rush the snap.

If they rush, they are not allowed to hit you while your head is down so don't worry about blocking them until you're done snapping the ball.

If there is nobody lined up across from you when you long snap, you should be immediately running downfield and covering the punt after your perfect snap.

Successfully Covering the Punt Doesn't Necessarily Mean Making the Tackle

As a long snapper covering the punt, you have a license to miss.

You could be the first one down field and in front of the return man as he catches the punt.

It would be a great effort on your part as the long snapper to be the first guy down there and tackle him immediately as it can be one of the biggest and most exciting plays of the game.

Even if you miss, your efforts can still be successful if you cause him to make a move. Specifically, if he is making efforts to avoid your tackle or break free from your potential tackle, he is not gaining ground and you are giving your teammates time to make it downfield and tackle him.

As football is a battle for land, if your efforts are keeping the return man from quickly gaining yardage, you are still doing your job.

Conclusion: Covering the Punt after a Long Snap

After you've snapped the ball and completed your blocking assignment you should be giving it your best effort as you sprint downfield to cover the punt. As exciting as being the first guy to the return man and making the big hit is, don't feel like a failure if you miss. You have a license to miss as your ability to slow the return man down gives your teammates time to catch up to you and make the tackle.