Regardless of who is the center, he must complete a legal snap or it is a snap infraction. If the center is the last man on his side of the line of scrimmage and he is wearing an eligible number (any number except 50-79), then he is eligible to catch a pass, but as the center he must complete a legal snap.

 

I will try to dig out my rulebook and find it

 

Alright, because I saw this play ran in a scrimmage about 15 years ago. I believe it was by Shelby County.

 

There weren't any officiators for the scrimmage, so there wasn't much technical discussion, as the team who ran the play ran it late in the scrimmage after they were already down by 20 points or so.

 

After discussing it with a few different coaches I know, I was told that there were three required items (allegedly) that would have to take place to make the play "legal". I never knew if there was any validity to what they were saying, but I was told:

 

1) The center must be wearing an eligible number (1-49, 80-99).

2) Not including the center, there still had to be five down linemen wearing interior linemen's numbers (50-79).

3) The center had to "touch the ball to the quarterback's hands" before he could run freely with the ball.

 

The whole scenario never quite passed the smell test with me, but I've always remained curious as to whether or not there was some way that a team could theoretically perform a "center sneak".

 

Also, for what it's worth, in my junior year at Cov Cath, we ran a center screen pass in each of the first three games of the season. You know what they say, "The center should have some of the best hands on the team. He's one of the only guys who touches the ball on every play."

Alright, because I saw this play ran in a scrimmage about 15 years ago. I believe it was by Shelby County.

 

There weren't any officiators for the scrimmage, so there wasn't much technical discussion, as the team who ran the play ran it late in the scrimmage after they were already down by 20 points or so.

 

After discussing it with a few different coaches I know, I was told that there were three required items (allegedly) that would have to take place to make the play "legal". I never knew if there was any validity to what they were saying, but I was told:

 

1) The center must be wearing an eligible number (1-49, 80-99).

2) Not including the center, there still had to be five down linemen wearing interior linemen's numbers (50-79).

3) The center had to "touch the ball to the quarterback's hands" before he could run freely with the ball.

 

The whole scenario never quite passed the smell test with me, but I've always remained curious as to whether or not there was some way that a team could theoretically perform a "center sneak".

 

Also, for what it's worth, in my junior year at Cov Cath, we ran a center screen pass in each of the first three games of the season. You know what they say, "The center should have some of the best hands on the team. He's one of the only guys who touches the ball on every play."

 

The ball must leave the center's hand(s). I agree, it doesn't pass the smell test. I had a coach argue with me before, during and after a game about a center sneak. He claimed that he used to be a HS coach, ... but when I found out where he had been a coach, I understood that he didn't have a clue. My argument with him (and the league agreed) was that he needed to worry more about teaching the fundamentals at the LL level of blocking and tackling and worry less about trick plays, ... especially ones that violated the rules.

 

I do agree that the center should have very good hands.

The Redman always has a few tricks............ It isn't his fault the official didn't catch it.

The Redman always has a few tricks............ It isn't his fault the official didn't catch it.

 

I gotta give him that. The worst that happens is a 5 yard penalty and no TD. I guess it was a gamble that paid off!

This discussion reminds me of the "guard around" and whether or not it was a legal play. We actually ran this play once for about a 30 yard gain in a live game back in 85'.

This discussion reminds me of the "guard around" and whether or not it was a legal play. We actually ran this play once for about a 30 yard gain in a live game back in 85'.

 

I'm assuming you're referring to a pulling guard taking the handoff from the QB and continuing on around on a sweep?

Ran the "Center Sneak" twice in my High School days. (Cro-Magnon)

 

Freshman year the coach called it for "fun." In that one, the center snaps the ball, touches the QB hands, waits a second and then takes off.

 

It went about 35 yards for a TD. The ref came to the Freshman coach and said, "Coach, I think that's illegal."

 

"Yeah, I know, but it was fun, wasn't it?"

 

 

The other was my Senior year. We added a modification. The Center hikes the ball, touches QB hands, then gives it to the TB coming through like a blocker and he took it 50 yards to the house. It was caught by the officials and brought back. But it was fun to the center. :lol:

I'm assuming you're referring to a pulling guard taking the handoff from the QB and continuing on around on a sweep?

 

No. The Center held the ball at the full extension of his snap and the QB faked sweep with the backs around the right end. The right guard took the ball from the center's fully extended snap and carried for a big gain around the left end.

No. The Center held the ball at the full extension of his snap and the QB faked sweep with the backs around the right end. The right guard took the ball from the center's fully extended snap and carried for a big gain around the left end.

 

Haha, wow. :lol:

 

Not only is that a little questionable from a legality of the play, but that's a risky move as far as the center is concerned. I was a center, and I can say that it'd definitely be tough to a) have to stand there like a sitting duck with your arm shoved down between your legs, and b) keep from dropping the ball behind you. That sure must have been entertaining to watch.

Ran the "Center Sneak" twice in my High School days. (Cro-Magnon)

 

Freshman year the coach called it for "fun." In that one, the center snaps the ball, touches the QB hands, waits a second and then takes off.

 

It went about 35 yards for a TD. The ref came to the Freshman coach and said, "Coach, I think that's illegal."

 

"Yeah, I know, but it was fun, wasn't it?"

 

 

The other was my Senior year. We added a modification. The Center hikes the ball, touches QB hands, then gives it to the TB coming through like a blocker and he took it 50 yards to the house. It was caught by the officials and brought back. But it was fun to the center. :lol:

 

Love the Cro-Magnon reference. Nice!! :thumb:

Haha, wow. :lol:

 

Not only is that a little questionable from a legality of the play, but that's a risky move as far as the center is concerned. I was a center, and I can say that it'd definitely be tough to a) have to stand there like a sitting duck with your arm shoved down between your legs, and b) keep from dropping the ball behind you. That sure must have been entertaining to watch.

 

According to some of the posts above, maybe it was legal if the QB touced the ball before he left on the fake sweep. Best I remeber, there was not a nose ligned up on the center. And the coaches made sure the center was not taking much contact before we tried it. We actually practiced this play several times before we tried it in the game. The center knew how to cuff the ball and hold it against his rear. Seems he only held it there 2 or 3 seconds before the guard came around and took the ball. I can remember laughing in the huddle after the play. :lol:

The Redman always has a few tricks............ It isn't his fault the official didn't catch it.

 

OH I see......its ok...as long as you dont get caught !

 

I think it may be Unsportsmanlike Conduct - for unfair play (See Rule 10

I believe) bring it back and 15 yds.

How can you blame Redmon? He wasn't refereeing the game. He was only doing what gave his team the best chance to win and the entire officiating crew missed it, so hats off to him.

OH I see......its ok...as long as you dont get caught !

 

I think it may be Unsportsmanlike Conduct - for unfair play (See Rule 10

I believe) bring it back and 15 yds.

 

I am not saying it is okay. I am just saying he took a gamble and it paid off.

OH I see......its ok...as long as you dont get caught !

 

I think it may be Unsportsmanlike Conduct - for unfair play (See Rule 10

I believe) bring it back and 15 yds.

 

I rather doubt that Coach Redman knew that it was an illegal play as he drew it up. Heck, he probably thought it was a brilliant idea.

 

So I don't think it's cheating in any way. It's up to the officials to penalize fouls; they just missed a couple on this play:ohbrother:.

 

And the aw-shucks, shoulder shrug description of the play is hilarious. He's a classic rascal; one of my all-time favorites.