You’re The Long Snapper

Both sides would agree, it was a great game. The offenses, defenses and special teams all did their jobs. Fittingly, this battle was coming down to the last play of the game.

Your team had been driving down the field running their two minute offense flawlessly. Little gains here and there to keep the ball moving and the clock stopping. The offense became stagnant, as they often can do in these situations, right at the 10 yard line. It seemed with less field to play, came less opportunities to score.

It was the 4th quarter, the game was tied, you were on the seven yard line and there was one second left. The previous play was meant to end the game but your trusty wide receiver turned out to be not so trusty. The ball was practically in his hands when he lifted his eyes to see the safety coming dead at him. That spooked him enough to make him forgot his main job: to catch the ball.

Your coach decided to put the fate of the team, the school and the community in his field goal unit.

You are ready. You were always ready by third down, let alone fourth. You were standing right next to the holder and kicker. You were a unit and you were their leader. They knew it and so did you. You were confident.

The coach grabs his hat, throws it down in disgust after the missed opportunity to score and yells “FIELD GOAL, FIELD GOAL, FIELD GOAL!” He grabs the kicker’s helmet to give him some last minute advice. He doesn’t even look to you. You don’t mind. You don’t need any last minute words. You know your job and you know what to do. You are ready and you are confident.

You jog on the field and notice your legs feel heavy and your hands are moist. The pulsating of your heart begins to beat through your pads. You are certain it is visible to others.

You slow your jog to a walk and locate the ref. You see him wipe the ball down and place it on the turf. You approach the ball like it is your prey. You have done this dance before. You have a routine. You know it hands down. You are ready and you are confident. You place your left foot into it’s spot, followed by your right. It is though you are strapping into ski boots. You bend your knees a bit. Your legs feel even heavier and you wonder if your knees can withstand the weight.

The crowd noise has become deafening. With your feet locked into place, you turn to see the holder and the kicker. The holder is down and the kicker is beginning his steps. The holder slowly mouths the words to you “This is all you.” You nod, bring your eyes back along the imaginary line the ball will follow as it leaves your hands, and turn to face the ball. The crowd noise is vibrating the stadium and your chest. It continues to get louder and louder and louder. It hurts.

You reach out with your right hand to grab the ball. The noise is suddenly…….gone. You put your left hand on the ball. You can only hear the beating of your heart. It is on a rhythm and that rhythm is picking up pace. You bend down into position. You look through your legs. The crowd is gone. The team is gone. The rest of the field is gone. Everything besides the holder is darkness. All you see is your holder. You maneuver your fingers on the ball to find that perfect spot. You are ready and you are confident.

Your holder looks at the kicker. The kicker gives him a nod. The holder slowly turns to you. You are ready and you are confident. He puts up his hand and the ball immediately, almost on cue, starts the process back. Your form is perfect. Your entire body is working in unison. The ball releases from the very tips of your fingers. It all feels effortless. The ball rotates through the air in slow motion. You see every….single….revolution. It hits the holder’s hands and BOOM, the whole world comes alive again. The noise is deafening, the speed is amazing. The ball is kicked and goes through the uprights.

The team goes crazy. Everyone is jumping up and down. You look around to find your group. You wink to the holder and the kicker as if it was just another day at the office. The team, the crowd and the community are ecstatic. People are rushing the field.

The Head Coach leads the way. He is rushing out towards you. He is getting closer and closer. His eyes are as big as apples. He is approaching you at record speed. He is less than five yards from you. He gets closer and closer. He goes right past you to celebrate with the kicker. He doesn’t even look at you or acknowledge your existence.

You don’t even bat an eye or turn around. You don’t need the praise. You don’t need the glory. You know who started the game winning play and without you, none of it was even possible.

You know who you are.

You’re the Long Snapper.

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Rubio Long Snapping is, by far, the biggest and best resource for Long Snappers in the country. Offering the best instruction and most exposure in the world. Rubio Long Snapping can help you to become the best snapper you can be!

In just 12 years, Chris Rubio, President and Owner of Rubio Long Snapping, has become the #1 Long Snapping instructor in the country and the go-to man when a college coach needs a Long Snapper. Colleges from across the country rely on “Rubio’s” word day in and day out on who the best Long Snappers are in the country. Rubio Long Snapping has assisted in over 300 Long Snappers earning FULL SCHOLARSHIPS to major colleges and universities just for Long Snapping and many into the NFL as well.