Field Goal Kicking / Long Snappers (1 Viewer)

[mikel2014]

Before teams attempt field goals late in the game, they often waste a play in order to set up the kick. To me it would seem like long snappers would be able to practice angling the snap to the holder in order to kick from the desired spot. Is there some reason teams aren't doing this? The only thing I can think of is that it would require some precision on the part of the snapper. I can't imagine it being too hard for them to try. Just a random thought of mine, I figured I'd ask.

 

[Crazy8s]

The defender on the edge will have a straighter path to block the kick.

 

[TommyGilmore]

I've always thought that colleges should try this. Kicking from the college hashmarks is a nightmare.

 

[TommyGilmore]

The defender on the edge will have a straighter path to block the kick.

Not if they overload that side of the field.

 

[Bayhawks]

Before teams attempt field goals late in the game, they often waste a play in order to set up the kick. To me it would seem like long snappers would be able to practice angling the snap to the holder in order to kick from the desired spot. Is there some reason teams aren't doing this? The only thing I can think of is that it would require some precision on the part of the snapper. I can't imagine it being too hard for them to try. Just a random thought of mine, I figured I'd ask.

There's a couple of problems with this scenario.1) The long-snapper has to be accurate with his snaps. If the timing is messed up, then the PK is going to have a very hard time making a kick. Trying to make an angled snap would increase the potential for a bad snap, thus a missed FG2) Since the long snapper needs to be more accurate with the snap, he would likely need to focus more (wrong phrase, but and angled snap wouldn't be as "automatic" as a direct snap), thereby possibly taking a little longer to come out of the snap to block. This could allow a defender to slip through one of the A gaps on either side of the long snapper.3) It would cause blocking problems along the line. If you didn't shift your blocking towards the angle you were snapping the ball to, the end rusher on that side would have a direct line to the holder. If you did shift your blocking to that side, you're leaving a free defender on the weak side. With the speed of NFL players, leaving a player unblocked on the back side isn't the best idea, even if he does have a yard or so further to cover.