Walk on tips for a Long Snapper

[cleermj]

I am a LS and I am going to be attending a D1 university this fall. Had some good interest from a couple of D3 and D2 programs but academically, I wanted to pursue my primary school of interest. The coach responsible for walk-ons said that I will be given the opportunity to demonstrate that I have what it takes to LS at this level. But since I would not be invited to summer camp, I needed to be in shape and ready to roll from day one. My control is good and my hang time is below .8. I had 1 marginal snap in game situations in HS. Learned how to manage in cold and wet conditions after that. I continually condition in off season and snap as much as I can to maintain consistency. After the season was over, I switched from a HS ball to the NCAA game ball so I could get used to the different feel. I can play other positions as well - Center, Nose but best at LS. At 6'2'' and 255, I am probably light for those positions. Looking for any insight in how to impress the coaching staff during my walk on other than just getting down to business and showing my capabilities. Thanks in advance for any help. BIGMATT

[cleermj]

I just looked in to see if any help or suggestions. Disappointed to see no posts at all. Well, I thought it was at least worth a try.

[gaba]

Sorry cleermj. I don't know if there's a rule but I generally leave Manelly's forum alone unless the question is clearly addresses to whoever wants to answer.

I don't know where you're headed but I can't imagine they wouldn't at least give you a look. It might be getting a little late to change your mind though, so good luck wherever you're headed.

[Woodk1]

I am a LS and I am going to be attending a D1 university this fall. I sent game film to a fair number of schools this past year. Good interest from a couple of D3 and D2 programs but academically, I wanted to pursue my primary school of interest. The coaching staff at this university said I would not be invited to summer camp but said to come in to their office on the 1st day of classes and try to walk on. The main concern expressed was velocity on my snaps but my high school coach realy had me slow it down so the holder could handle the ball. I had only 1 marginal snap the entire season. I continually condition in off season and snap as much as I can to maintain consistency. After the season was over, I switched from a HS ball to the NCAA game ball so I could get used to the different feel. I can play other positions as well - Center, Nose but best at LS. I would appreciate any tips you can give me on how to best make my approach to the coach when I get to campus. Am concerned that when I show up, they tell me that they are good for LS. Would they actually pass up the opportunity to observe potentials?
Thanks in advance for any help. BIGMATT

Hey cleermj,
Let me preface this with I've never longsnapped in my life, but a few things to throw at you:

1) You didn't say what your snap speed is. When the punter catches it, have you timed it? You should. Somebody has, if they've told you it's too slow. .70 or under is the ideal pro speed. Everything I've ever read, snap it as fast/hard as you can, then correct your form, but get the speed down first. Screw the holder - if he can't handle it, tell the coach to cut him - damn the coach that told you to slow it down - hopefully he's fired, because he doesn't know ANYTHING about football if he's telling you to slow it down. Not everyone can have a good high school coach, and it sounds like you had a bad one.

2) How many snaps a day are you doing? 50? Not enough, if you're serious. Hopefully you post back "300 times a day", or frankly, it's probably not gonna happen for ya.

Lastly, you are asking for help on how to approach the coach - I don't know any pro longsnapper could answer that - pro snappers were sought after. Patrick has some tips on his site giving basic help, but it's your high school coach that should be making calls for you, if you "have it". If your high school coach can't help, well...........he's the one that told you to slow it down so the poor guy catching it wouldn't hurt his hands........sorry, don't know what else to tell ya.

On the plus side, you can play other positions as well, so that should help. And hopefully you really work on getting downfield and making the tackle - something Patrick is a freak at.

Show up at tryouts, tell them you're the longsnapper they've been looking for, and let it rip.

[imprint3454]

2) How many snaps a day are you doing? 50? Not enough, if you're serious. Hopefully you post back "300 times a day", or frankly, it's probably not gonna happen for ya.

This is key. Doesn't even have to be 300 at one time. Do 150 in the morning and another 150 in the afternoon/evening. What would really help is if you can tape the morning snaps, review the tape in between sessions, and then use that to improve the afternoon/evening session. Then tape the afternoon/evening session to help improve the next morning's session.

[BCeagle51]

Hey Cleermj,
As a D1 longsnapper i would have to disagree with snapping 300 times a day, and this is why, in my experience of practicing longsnapping i have always got more out of the repetition of fewer good or great snaps rather than a lot of ok or sub-par snaps. Snapping is about quality not quantity. If your trying to snap 300 times a day your going to get tired and then get lazy , which will cause you create and rep bad habits in your snap. When you go to practice get a solid warm up, just don't start to firing it back there with cold legs. Also I agree, you need to be timed every time you snap, and I also agree that if you can get someone to tape you, even better. Good luck, post if u got any questions.
peace
Jack

[gaba]

Just out of curiosity... whether you're advocating 300 snaps or a lot less, how are you doing this? Are you talking about setting up, snapping like in a game and blocking afterwards... or are you just lining up and (snap snap snap) firing off several in a row? 300 seems like an awfully high number. It seems to me that (#1, like BCeagles51 said) you'd get tired and sloppy with too much repitition and (#2) if you're not getting a good block afterwards you're neglecting an equally important part of the position's resposibility (already difficult considering you start the play with your head between your legs) as well as practicing a situation that isn't an accurate representation of actual game situations.

Again, this is just curiosity and not criticism. I don't know jack about the position except that there's an additional degree of difficulty compared to other offensive linemen and even other centers.

[Boris13c]

I just looked in to see if any help or suggestions. Disappointed to see no posts at all. Well, I thought it was at least worth a try.

Walk on tips for a Long Snapper

walk hard to walk on ... walk hard ...