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Meet the “TOP 12” Long Snappers!

April 14, 2011 By
Going to Vegas in January for underclassmen Long Snappers means several things: seeing what all of the commotion is about, doing your absolute best, getting your ranking solidified, watching in awe at the top seniors that you have read so much about and, of course, making the exclusive TOP 12 list! The TOP 12 is chosen from underclassmen in January and they are simply the best of the best in January. They are the ones that snap the hardest, the most accurate, have the best blocking and are able to handle the pressure of the entire weekend. You make this list and you are on way to greatness….if you keep working as hard as you did to make it. The TOP 12 Long Snappers of January will be listed below and get the most exposure possible. They are invited to exclusive TOP 12 and EVENT ELITE camp this summer. You are only allowed to attend this camp if you prove yourself at one of our Vegas Events (January or May). Therefore, in May, I will be choosing the EVENT ELITE. They will be the best of the best in May and combine with the TOP 12 during the summer for the invite only camp. Some simply aren’t ready for January Vegas and need May to make a name for themselves. This happens. I know it. One particular instance would be Jonathan Weeks. He came in January, was not ready, worked his tail off and came back to dominate May. FYI: Jonathan Weeks in now doing this for his job. Side note: after reading his bio on that page, try to figure out what special teams camp the coach found out about him:) Think about this….come this summer…will you be reading daily about the TOP 12 and EVENT ELITE camp this summer or will you be participating? MAKE IT HAPPEN. ENOUGH EXCUSES. See you in May. PROVE YOURSELF!!! With no further adieu, here are your TOP 12 Long Snappers of 2011….. All information in this article is current as of April, 2011. Click on each individual players names for more information. Chris Fitzpatrick fitzpatrick_chris.jpg High School: Anderson County
State: KY
Graduating Class: 2012
Position: Long Snapper Current National Rubio Long Snapping Ranking: #5
Height: 6-1
Weight:  235
GPA: 3.5
SAT / ACT:
Top 5 Colleges Choices: 1. LSU 2. Purdue 3. Boston College 4. Northwestern 5. Western Kentucky
Hobbies: 1. Weightlifting 2. Fishing 3. Cooking
Chris Says: “My dedication of always trying to improve my long snapping abilities makes me the best Long Snapper in the country.” Chris Rubio Says: “Fitzpatrick  has grown a great deal with his body and his Long Snapping. Has transformed into one of the top Long Snappers in the country. Very, very solid speed that dips into .7s quite often. Very accurate and moves well for being so big. At this pace, he might be a five star by May Vegas. Keep a very close eye on this long time Rubio Long Snapper.” Cory Cheadle cheadle_cory.jpg High School: Hilton Head Christian Academy
State: SC
Graduating Class: 2012
Position: Long Snapper Current National Rubio Long Snapping Ranking: #4
Height: 6-3.5
Weight:  255
GPA: 2.85
SAT / ACT: 1360
Top 5 Colleges Choices: 1. Clemson 2. Auburn 3. Alabama 4. Tennessee 5. Maryland
Hobbies: 1. Fishing 2. Gofing 3. Boating
Cory Says: “My ability to snap well under extreme pressure is what makes me the best Long Snapper in the country. ” Chris Rubio Says: “Cheadle continues to impress me. Blocks very well, incredible flexibilty, solid personality and body, and he has the ability to snap the ball rocket fast. Cheadle continues to woo me with his overall snapping ability. Even under a bit of pain, he is doing well. Watch this one. I fully expect May Vegas to be his welcome party into the 5 star club.”Grant Meersand meersand_grant.jpg High School: Mira Costa
State: CA
Graduating Class: 2012
Position: Long Snapper Current National Rubio Long Snapping Ranking: #3
Height: 6-1
Weight: 218 GPA: 3.3
SAT / ACT:
Top 5 Colleges Choices: 1. Colorado 2. UCLA 3. Northwestern 4. Arizona St 5. LSU
Hobbies: 1. Playing football 2. Paddle Boarding 3. Hanging at the beach with friends
Grant Says: “I am the most consistent and can handle pressure better than any other person in the country and that makes me the best Long Snapper in the country. ” Chris Rubio Says: “Grant handles pressure as well as anyone in the country. The bigger and stronger he gets, the better he is. Easily one of the best forms around on a Long Snapper. Darn near flawless and picture perfect. Blocking is very solid. Speed improves every week. Very, very solid Long Snapper right now.”Jeff Overbaugh overbaugh_jeff.jpg
High School: Service
State: AK
Graduating Class: 2012
Position: Long Snapper Current National Rubio Long Snapping Ranking: #6
Height: 6-1
Weight: 235 GPA: 3.5
SAT / ACT:
Top 5 Colleges Choices: 1. Michigan 2. UNLV 3. WSU 4. Oregon St 5. LSU
Hobbies: 1. Downhill Skiing 2. Sea Kayaking 3. River Rafting
Jeff Says: “My proven ability to snap fast and accurately and block well in two Play Off/State Championships as well as the Tanoa Bowl Classic (Alaska vs Washington) makes me the best Long Snapper in the country.”
Chris Rubio Says:  “Overbaugh is very fluid and smooth. Starting to look effortless. Very strong. Blocking and speed of the ball will really bump him up the rankings board. Love his confidence. Definitely looked like a man on a mission in Vegas.  Once he stops thinking and really lets the ball go he will be amazing.” Kyle Ashby ashby_kyle.jpg
High School: Brazoswood
State: TX
Graduating Class: 2012
Position: Long Snapper Current National Rubio Long Snapping Ranking: #8
Height: 6-0
Weight: 240 GPA: 3.7
SAT / ACT:
Top 5 Colleges Choices: 1. Oklahoma 2. Missouri 3. Stanford 4. Texas A&M 5. La Tech
Hobbies: 1. Activiites with Church youth people 2. Hunting/Fishing 3. Working out on Long Snapping
Kyle Says: “My Accuracy, Consistency, Smooth, Tight Spiral, and the best work ethic of anyone in the country makes me the best Long Snapper in the country.”
Chris Rubio Says:  “Ashby is really coming into his own. He has turned himself into a terrific young Long Snapper. Very, very smooth. Love to catch his snaps. Almost fall into your hands. Great spiral and his frame is terrific. One of the most accurate within his class. Once he gets his body really involved and trusts his form, he will be top 5 and move closer to the elusive 5 star rating. Very solid Long Snapper.” Matt Cincotta cincotta_matt.jpg
High School: Charlotte Catholic
State: NC
Graduating Class: 2012
Position: Long Snapper Current National Rubio Long Snapping Ranking: #14
Height: 6-1
Weight: 195 GPA: 3.74
SAT / ACT: 1090
Top 5 Colleges Choices: 1. Notre Dame 2. Duke 3. Wake Forest 4. Va Tech 5. Virginia
Hobbies: 1. Target Shooting 2. Basketball 3. Golf
Matt Says: “I am the best Long Snapping in the country because I offer the combination of a consistent long snapper with the quickness, speed, and athleticism of a linebacker.”
Chris Rubio Says:  “Cincotta is making the turn to greatness. Ball has always been fast and on target but he had an issue with his spiral. Left hand used to move a tad which caused the spiral to disappear. Well that problem is almost completely gone which is great for him and terrible for the other Long Snappers ahead of him. The more size and muscle he gets, the better he will be. Watch this one!” Patrick Gerrits frix_trent.jpg
High School: Wellington
State: FL
Graduating Class: 2012
Position: Long Snapper Current National Rubio Long Snapping Ranking: #9
Height: 6-2
Weight: 222 GPA: 3.3
SAT / ACT:
Top 5 Colleges Choices: 1. Villanova 2. Tennessee 3. Va Tech 4. La Tech 5. Purdue
Hobbies: 1. Building Robotics 2. Traveling 3. Collecting historical swords
Patrick Says: “I am the best Long Snapping in the country because I  am consist, accurate, focused, and always improving are four words that I feel describe myself best. In the last two years I have consistently snapped over 100 times without a single blocked punt in a game.  Under the most pressure situations I stay consistent, accurate and focused. Every day I try to find ways to improve, and every year I find that I Improve in some way, for example my blocking and snapping speed have increased significantly over the past year.”
Chris Rubio Says:  “Patrick is one of the smoothest Long Snappers in the country. Does well under pressure and RARELY misses. The bigger and stronger he gets, the better he will be. Almost looks like he is not even trying when he snaps he is so fluid. Pretty soon he is going to realize how good he and his form are and he is going to just let the ball go and then watch! Great kid and personality. Blocking continues to improve.” Reid Ferguson ferguson_reid.jpg
High School: Buford
State: GA
Graduating Class: 2012
Position: Long Snapper Current National Rubio Long Snapping Ranking: #2
Height: 6-2
Weight: 240 GPA: 3.7
SAT / ACT: 1550
Top 5 Colleges Choices: 1. LSU 2. Tennessee 3. North Carolina 4. Florida St. 5. South Florida
Hobbies: 1. Playing football (preferably Long Snapping) 2. Spending quality time with friends and family 3. Watching movies and eating
Reid Says: “The attribute about me that makes me the best Long Snapper in the Country in my work ethic.  I am willing to do anything to be the best at what I do.  Especially if you give me a challenge, I will go above and beyond to try and reach that goal.”
Chris Rubio Says:  “Reid is ready right now for the next level. Terrific frame, speed and accuracy. Blocks very well. Can’t say enough good things about him. Been a true student of Long Snapping for quite some time and it has paid off.” Scott Daly daly_scott.jpg High School: Downers Grove South
State: IL
Graduating Class: 2012
Position: Long Snapper Current National Rubio Long Snapping Ranking: #1
Height: 6-3
Weight:  235 GPA: 3.0
SAT / ACT:
Top 5 Colleges Choices: 1. Northwestern 2. Notre Dame 3. Stanford 4. Michigan St. 5. Iowa
Hobbies: 1. Working out 2. Golfing 3. Traveling with my family
Scott Says: “I am the best Long Snapper in the country because I have a phenomenal work ethic.  I’m teachable and I never feel I have learned enough.  I always strive to become better and I prepare myself so that I can only get better.”
Chris Rubio Says:  “Daly is a machine. Went from average with potential to the most dominant Long Snapper in his class in one year. Works like a horse and built like one too. Kid is beyond smooth and fast. He is a no brainer scholarship Long Snapper.  Continues to dominate. Ball explodes out of his hands. Beyond fast. Almost shocking. Very, very smooth Long Snapper. Body is excellent. Very athletic.” Scott Sypniewski sypniewski_scott.jpg
High School: Marquette Academy 
State: IL
Graduating Class: 2013
Position: Long Snapper Current National Rubio Long Snapping Ranking: #2
Height: 6-1
Weight: 215 GPA: 3.4
SAT / ACT:
Top 5 Colleges Choices: 1. Michigan 2. Western Michigan 3. Nebraska 4. Illinois 5. Oregon
Hobbies: 1. Working out and becoming better 2. Hanging with friends 3. Playing sports
Scott Says: “I am the best Long Snapper in the country because I dont let anyone out work me.”
Chris Rubio Says:  “Sypniewski is growing with his body and snapping. This Long Snapper is just flat out great…..ALREADY! Very, very smooth and accurate. Needs a tad more pop to really pick up his speed (which is already excellent for his age). Great snapper and person. ” Trent Frix frix_trent.jpg
High School: Calhoun
State: GA
Graduating Class: 2012
Position: Long Snapper Current National Rubio Long Snapping Ranking: #7
Height: 6-0
Weight: 190 GPA: 4.0
SAT / ACT: 1030
Top 5 Colleges Choices: 1. LSU 2. Tennesee 3. Georgia 4. UAB 5. Alabama
Hobbies: 1. Hunting  2. Fishing 3. Hiking
Trent Says: “I believe I am one of the best long snapper in the nation because I have been the starting long snapper on my varsity high school team for the three years I have been in high school. I also started at outside linebacker this past year and have also played receiver and running back during my high school career. During the time I have been in high school  we have went to the Georgia state championship three years in a row and have an overall record of 40-4. I have also started the past two years at center field on our baseball team which won the state championship in 2010. I have also been practicing on my long snapping and competing in camps since I was in the 6th grade. I think that my overall athleticism, experience, and work ethic separates me from the other long snappers and makes me one of the best in the nation.”
Chris Rubio Says:  “Frix is going to be great. He already is beyond good. VERY athletic and strong. Hands are like rockets. Body is solid and getting better by the day. Form needs a couple quick tweeks but looks as though he is definitely headed in the right direction. Blocks well and runs even better. Watch this one.” William Eads eads_william.jpg
High School: Hoover
State: AL
Graduating Class: 2012
Position: Long Snapper Current National Rubio Long Snapping Ranking: #13
Height: 6-0
Weight:  202 GPA: 3.65
SAT / ACT: 23
Top 5 Colleges Choices: 1. Alabama 2. Ole Miss 3. Mississippi St 4. Wake Forest 5. Florida St
Hobbies: 1. Fishing  2. Golfing 3. Hanging out with friends
William Says: “I believe I am one of the best long snapper in the nation because I have experience blocking in games and I came through for my team in many clutch situations throughout the last season.”
Chris Rubio Says:  “Eads has really grown into his body. Oozing confidence, which I love, and is snapping is benefiting. Body is getting bigger and stronger and his snaps are quick. Blocking is coming along. His form is absolutely fantastic. When he gets all the way back and lets it go, he is amazing. The bigger he gets, the better he is going to be simply because his form is so darn solid.”    
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Rubio Long Snapping is, by far, the biggest and best resource for Long Snappers in the country. Rubio has been featured in the Washington Post, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the USA Today, Deadspin and countless other publications. 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 14 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 1,000 Long Snappers earning full scholarships and preferred walk-on opportunities to major colleges and universities just for Long Snapping and many into the NFL as well.

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Filed Under: Article Archives, Athlete, Deep Snapper, Exposure, High School, Long Snapper, Motivation, TOP 12 Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

How Can Twitter Benefit You?

April 11, 2011 By
Anyone that knows me, knows that I am a big advocate of Twitter. I was hesitant at first (most are since it is a relatively new concept out in the world) but I have jumped in with two feet and I am wholeheartedly behind it. I see major benefits for everyone involved and I even created a step-by-step basic instruction manual to set up your own account (come back to this later when you set yours up). The benefits are immense, but the basics you need to embrace are….. Mass Text Messaging – That is pretty much all Twitter is….if done correctly. People are always asking me to send a certain message to their son:
  • an inspirational quote (Good morning. #QOTD! “For success, attitude is equally as important as ability”)
  • a blog
  • a picture of perfect form
  • a personal video clip of a Long Snapper
  • a funny message (You know your wife is 8 months pregnant when….she says, w/ a straight face, “yeah, I think I’m just gonna have Samoas for dinner tonight”)
  • my protest of the day (#ProtestOTD! Guy at gym w/ full on massive stereo headphones. Ease down buddy. You are going to tip over & u look like Princess Leia)

With Twitter, it is simple. You can actually set up yours and their cell phone to follow me and receive a text message when I put out a message (that link I provided about 18 lines up will show you how to do this).

Searching Topics – On the Twitter site, you can easily search any topic you want (hint, hint: Long Snapper) and find out any time someone has mentioned that particular subject. This can be huge for finding articles about topics that interest you (hint, hint: Long Snapping).
Example of my Twitter page. Notice search option on bottom right corner    

Information – You can follow anyone that has a Twitter account and see the stuff they want you to see. This is a great for a Long Snapper that wants to know about a certain school, conference, coach, player. Most, if not all, of them will have a Twitter account and will post inside info about news, camps, pictures, etc.   For instance, I follow @JeremyCrabtree (ESPN), @BrandonHuffman (Scout.com) for breaking news on recruits (by breaking, I mean the instant it happens…with Twitter, if set up correctly, yet again, refer to my step-by-step sheet, you will know the second it gets posted without having to check Google). Personalities – This is a great advantage of Twitter for me. I get to follow certain people (hint, hint: Rubio Long Snappers….there are many with an account), see what they are like in the real world and even have met some interesting cats. Coaches will want a Long Snapper that has a personality. As one D1 Coach told me, “Rubio, I’m going to have to spend a lot of time with this guy, so he better not just be a robot.” Two people that I would reference would be The Purdue Long Snappers. @FinchMachine and @Ballinger.

@FinchMachine Twitter Bio: I can’t dance but I can longsnap. Who am I kidding? Of course I can dance.
@Ballinger (great stache) Twitter Bio: just your average joe who also happens to long snap trying to make it and stuff

These are two guys that I never would have known without Twitter.  Here is how our relationship started….a Twitter fairytale if you will…..

  • They had heard of me through long time Chris Sailer Kicking student Carson Wiggs (he is Purdue’s kicker and, let’s be honest, basically only does well because his snappers are so solid and because he knows Sailer).
  • They started following me on Twitter to see what I would say next. Word is they were a tad shocked at some of my spray. Embrace.
  • Sprayed me a message or two (easily done on Twitter)
  • I checked them out on Twitter and found out they were very funny (please note: they are in college so their stuff does toe the line a bit but it shows their personality and I embrace)
  • Done

Bottom line, as a Rubio Long Snapping parent told me, everyone should have a Twitter account and follow @RubioSnapping for these reasons: 1.       Keeps me informed as a parent what is going on with all things related to long snapping…your camps, current events, recruiting, etc. 2.       Fun to track what you are doing and what is going on with my sons’ peers. 3.       Good educational information on long snapping…

Looking forward to receiving an email from Twitter letting me know you are following me:)

 

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Rubio Long Snapping is, by far, the biggest and best resource for Long Snappers in the country. Rubio has been featured in the Washington Post, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the USA Today, Deadspin and countless other publications.

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 14 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 1,000 Long Snappers earning full scholarships and preferred walk-on opportunities to major colleges and universities just for Long Snapping and many into the NFL as well.

 

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Filed Under: Article Archives, Deep Snapper, Exposure, Long Snapper, Maturity, Recruiting, Twitter Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Only So Many Days….

April 5, 2011 By
You only have so many seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and years to make things happen in your life. Whether it’s traveling the world, writing a book, finding that right job or even meeting that perfect someone…your time is limited. If you are looking to be an elite athlete, Long Snapper of course, you’re time frame has just dropped significantly. Your window is considerably less and the time needs to be taken much more seriously. In the drive of life, you will be rolling by that window of opportunity at 100 mph and you need to make sure you open your eyes, heart and mind fully to take full advantage of it. Today is a day. A Tuesday to be exact. Just like many others. But I have to ask…..
How are you going to make it different?
How are you going to improve?
How are you going to show the coach there is NO DOUBT you deserve that starting spot in the Fall?
How are you going to separate yourself from those clawing at your heels in the rankings?
How are you going to improve to catch that Long Snapper ahead of you that you think you are better than BUT have not proven it to me yet? How are you getting ready for the Spring Event in Vegas this May? How are you getting mentally ready for the challenges of Vegas to ensure you grab a TOP 12/EVENT ELITE spot? Please notice how I have used the word you so frequently. This piece is about you getting up and making yourself better. Not mommy or daddy. Not your coach. Not your tutor. Not even me. YOU need to pick yourself up and get the work done. Like I always say, you will be the one snapping the ball. Focus up and let’s go. Now pause. I want you to picture yourself getting better, making yourself better, leaving no doubt…dominating. Now make it happen.    
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Rubio Long Snapping is, by far, the biggest and best resource for Long Snappers in the country. Rubio has been featured in the Washington Post, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the USA Today, Deadspin and countless other publications. 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 14 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 1,000 Long Snappers earning full scholarships and preferred walk-on opportunities to major colleges and universities just for Long Snapping and many into the NFL as well.  

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Filed Under: Article Archives, Maturity, Motivation Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

What is Grayshirting?

April 4, 2011 By
It pains me to say this, but it is true so I must. Long Snappers are usually the last to get recruited. Please take a moment to catch your breath and pick up all of the things you just threw in rage.
 
Since we are often so late to the dinner table of scholarship winners (of course, there are your exceptions that dominate early) coaches will often do whatever they can to get us a seat. This is where gray shirting comes in. According to NCAA.org, grayshirting is:
 
“Gray shirting” is a term used in the recruiting process to describe situations in which a student-athlete delays initial enrollment in a collegiate institution to the winter or spring term after the traditional academic year begins. Students who “gray shirt” often use the fall to take classes part time or choose not to enroll in college at all. “Gray shirting” is not a formal designation by the NCAA or the National Letter of Intent program. If you are interested in “gray shirting” and signing a National Letter of Intent, it is important to review the applicable NLI provisions and to be aware of the informal nature of this commitment.
 
Let me bottom line it for you, a school will want you to gray shirt if they have filled up all of their spots for their current recruiting class. That way they can bump you to the next class of recruits.Still hazy? Let me use an example. Say your uber athletic son is a Long Snapper (given) and he is in the class of 2012. He is outstanding and being heavily recruited because he has been coached well. All of a sudden a certain school makes a big move on him (trips, handwritten letters, phone calls from special teams coach and/or head coach). They want your son and they want to sign him on the dotted line (actually cant do that until Feb of his senior year, but work with me). The problem is they have already offered eleventeen position players (qbs, receivers, running backs, etc) and they are out of scholarships. What to do, what to do? Simple: gray shirt. They will now ask if this is something you are interested in. Your son would now, essentially, be their first recruit for the class of 2013. He would graduate like normal for his senior year (May/June) but wouldn’t report to his college until January (most report right after graduation if on scholarship to get some extra classes in and to do the “volunteer” workouts over the summer). I have had a couple of my kids (kids = my Long Snappers) do this and it does work…..with the right person. One of the more notable ones is Christian Yount of UCLA/Pro. He decided to gray shirt, instead of take the normal route, because UCLA really, really wanted him (well done) and he wanted to go there (as he should). It worked for both parties. There are some definite advantages and disadvantages. Here they are, in my opinion:
 
DISADVANTAGES:
  • Time off. Your son may think it is the best thing in the world that he will technically have off from graduation until he reports. That could be a nightmare for him and you. Imagine a six month long summer where he has no responsibility. Exactly.
  • Emotions. Many kids that do this have a tough time being the top dog (recruitment, newspapers, etc) to someone who is forgot about for six months. No football for some for that long of a time can be very difficult.
  • Staying in the groove of school. How many times have you heard someone say I am just going to take a semester off to get refreshed and then I am coming back full speed? I think we know the ending of that story nine times out of ten. School and football are usually a good thing for a kid since it gives them a routine. Get them off that routine and oh man.
  • Identity. Sometimes it takes some time for a Long Snapper to adapt to which class he essentially is in when he does report. Is he with his original class of 2012’s (all his age and grad year) or is he with the class he will be signed with (2013, younger but will do all the meetings with)?
ADVANTAGES:
  • Time off. It can be a good thing to let your body heal and really get ready for when you report. The coaches will expect you to be perfect (as they do with any Long Snapper of mine they are bringing in mind you….focus up). High School football can take a major toll on the body. Some coaches are just insane with their lengths of practices and that can be taxing on the old chassis.
  • Socially. You will have to adapt to being able not be a full on football player right off the bat. After speaking with Christian, he said this was huge for him as it forced him to socialize with non-football players while the team was traveling (hint, hint: girls)
  • School. If you do this and have some money available, the best thing is to actually enroll in classes (can’t be a full load) at the school you will be attending. This way you can get a major jump on the rest of the kids in your class (2013 at this point) and you should EASILY be able to graduate on time, and if worked correctly, should be able to get your Masters on their dime. Winner, winner, chicken dinner!
  • School again. Say the money is not obtainable, you can still take JC classes local to you as long as it is not a full load. More units for you to walk into college with. Win.
  • School again again. Getting there a bit early and not having to deal with football right off the bat, can really make a difference in getting comfortable with the workload. Anyone that has played a sport and gone to school at the same time can tell you it can be quite daunting. Doing a gray shirt gives you training wheels for the first quarter or two since you don’t have football to get in your way.
  • Maturity. You will have to get into the mature groove very quickly with the schooling system. You won’t have the football program to help you here. You will have to set up your classes and you usually won’t have tutors at your side until you are officially with the team (January)
  • Injury. Say you do get injured, you still have your redshirt year in your back pocket. Side note, if you gray shirt and redshirt, you better get your Masters or I won’t talk to you ever again…especially since they are paying for it!
  • Coaches. They will love you even more if you actually do end up doing this and going in early (basically with the rest of the 2012 class) but just don’t do any activities with them as a team. You would have to be very self-motivated and responsible (welcome to being an adult, suck it up!). You would be able to work out and be on the field with the guys…..just not at the exact official times as the team. For instance, the team works out from 4-6 pm and you would have to work out from 2-4. Coaches love this dedication and trust me they notice.
Bottom line, gray shirting is something that can work IF done by the right person. It can definitely be brought up to a coach as another way for you to become a player on their team and become another dominant Rubio Long Snapper in college.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 32162805_1690368751039248_6661371560290418688_o.jpg
Rubio Long Snapping is, by far, the biggest and best resource for Long Snappers in the country. Rubio has been featured in the Washington Post, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the USA Today, Deadspin and countless other publications. 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 14 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 1,000 Long Snappers earning full scholarships and preferred walk-on opportunities to major colleges and universities just for Long Snapping and many into the NFL as well.

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Filed Under: Article Archives, Coaches, College, Eligibility, Freshman, Graduating, Graduation, Recruiting Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Hand Placement for Long Snapping

March 29, 2011 By
There is an age-old argument in regards to Long Snappers and where their hands should be placed on the ball.
“You have to hold it like this!”
“You have to cup the football with your dominant hand”
“Your thumb and index finger need to be almost touching”
“Your non-dominant hand needs to form an L”
“You need to have all of your dominant fingers touching”
“Your thumb needs to be on the seam”
“Your non-dominant index finger needs to be on the seam”
“Blah blah blah”
Cue Charlie Brown teacher again.
Let me ask you a couple quick questions just to crush all of the above statements….
1)    If every Long Snapper’s hands had to be the EXACT same way to be a great snap, then how is it possible that every Long Snapper in high school, college and the pro does not have  the exact same grip? (Rubio comes out swinging baby!) Answer: they don’t.
2)    How is it possible to have all Long Snappers have the same grip on the football when everyone’s hands are not the exact same dimensions nor hold the same character traits? For instance, my hands are huge with very long fingers that spread extremely wide (think 180 degrees from thumb to pinky…..go ahead and try it….I will pause). Should I force someone with tiny paws to have the same grip? Answers: It isn’t and nope.
My paw on the bottom and a Rubio Long Snapper’s (2013) on top.

At this point, you are either embracing and are having an epiphany (what a great word) or are upset with me since I just demolished your theory. Either way, you are probably saying, “Ok Rubio, so what’s the proper way to hold the ball when snapping? My answer: there really isn’t one.

I pulled up some pictures of several very dominant college and pro Long Snappers. Look hard at them. I want you to notice one thing: not one of them has exactly the same grip and they were all instructed by me at some point. The closer you look, the more you will notice the little differences.

You might see them and say “Come on Rubio, there is barely any difference!” But let me remind you that being a Long Snapper means dealing with a very small surface area (football), any slight adjustment or variation on that area conveys a completely different feel and will result in a completely different outcome (ball trajectory, spiral, placement, etc). Compare it to a car and it’s “area”….just the slightest movement within it and everything feels different (imagine driving from the passenger seat…you could do it, but man would it be different). Now imagine if that car was the size of a football. An inch adjustment would mean you are now driving from the trunk.

Therefore, I am a firm believer in doing what comes natural to you. Hold the ball with your dominant hand the way you would throw a pass like a quarterback. Remember, like I always say, a Long Snapper is just a quarterback that is upside down and going the wrong way? So, go ahead and snap like it that.

What about the non-dominant hand you ask? Well, this one can be a tad trickier. I taught myself and I have my left middle finger right on the seam. Why? It felt comfortable and it was easy for me to remember where to put my hand. Not a lot of scientific reasoning for you on that one. It worked, and I embraced it. Done.

As I have continuously worked with Long Snappers over the past decade I have noticed that many can’t do that grip because of hand size or lack thereof. It seems that most like to embrace a split of the seam between their non-dominant index and middle finger. Hey, whatever floats your boat. I don’t care, just get the ball back there fast and put it on the hip. If you are getting the final product right, why would I adjust you?

Breathe. I don’t want you getting all stressed about this topic. No need. Your grip is not a deal breaker. It is just something that starts the process and it can be done hundreds of different ways. Here is the best part about this whole discussion: there is no right answer or way. Snapping, essentially, is not how you are holding the ball but how it is released and how you are using the rest of your body. It is a very small step in the entire process of a perfect snap and becoming a great Long Snapper. Plain and simple.
Still confused? Looks like I will see you at a camp or a lesson in the very near future where I guarantee I can explain my theory.

Chris-Rubio-2

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.

 

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Filed Under: Article Archives, Long Snapper Tagged With: , , , , ,

Talent

March 25, 2011 By

Just woke up with Long Snapping on my mind. Happens quite a bit as you can imagine. Almost always good thoughts and ideas, but every once in awhile something will creep into my dome and upset me. This thought was one that woke me and wouldn’t allow me to fall back asleep with a smile on my face. 

I just recently received a message from a parent that one of my Long Snappers has decided to “retire” from Long Snapping. It happens. I know this. Long Snapping is not for everyone. I get it and I completely understand. I would never want someone to do something they are not really happy with in life.

HOWEVER, it drives me crazy when I think back to some of my Long Snappers that have “retired” simply because they were met with a challenge and couldn’t stand up to it. I think back to many that I have had that hung it up and wasted all of their talent as they came to a new bridge to climb over. They didn’t cross the bridge. They got to the edge, looked at it, turned back around and headed for easy street.

Not everything in life worth doing is on easy street. The sooner you figure that out (talking to all of my Long Snappers right now), the better you will be in every aspect of your life.

Things getting a little tougher? Suck it up. You are fine. Whenever I get stuck in a very difficult situation in life I always think of this statement: Am I the first person to be doing this? If the answer is no, then I am pretty darn sure I can do it. And I do! I use that little statement continuously in everything I come across (from playing football, to going through hell week, to graduating, to finding a job, to getting married, to having kids, to having my wisdom teeth removed, to flying for hours at a time, to making deadlines, to simply getting out of bed sometimes).

As some point in your life you need to realize how much talent you really do possess. You need to realize that if someone else can do it, that you also can do it and, for the love of all that is holy, you can do it better. What is stopping you? YOU?! Get up and go. Get it done. Do your drills. Do your homework. Eat your food. Don’t eat your food. Be a human being that people want to respect and hang out with….for good reasons. Enough excuses.

DO NOT WASTE YOUR TALENT! If for any reason alone, you will upset me:) Now go have a great day. Make today better than yesterday. Go!

 

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Chris-Rubio-2

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.

 

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Filed Under: Article Archives, Athlete, Athletics, Long Snapper, Motivation Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

What to do…What to do…..

March 22, 2011 By

Recently, I have had some conversations through text with some of my college Long Snappers and it brought up a very common problem. Therefore, I shall now spray. See if you can relate…..

Rubio Long Snapper “My head coach comes up to me at spring ball this morning and tells me I do the exact same thing every time before I get set. He said I was like a pitcher. Given it took everything in me not to ask if he would want his pitcher to throw balls or strikes?”

Rubio Long Snapper “My coach told me to do something that I know is completely off from what you have taught me…..help”

Sound familiar? If you have been Long Snapping for more than 18 seconds in your career I can almost guarantee that someone, usually a coach, has spoken to you about your snapping. And, usually, that spray will completely counter what someone with knowledge has told you prior about Long Snapping (you should be nodding your head right now). So, one would wonder, how do I respond to such person?….especially if it is someone that can control my fate a little (playing time, making sure you get a college letter, etc).

Here is what I used to do: nod my head, with respect of course, and pretend they were Charlie Brown’s teacher (remember to click on the blue or you lose a lot of what I am saying here).

I came to the realization early on in my snapping adventure that not many know about the wonderful art of Long Snapping. That is obvious with most any conversation you have with the average Joe. However, I’m smart (given, since I am a Long Snapper) and I knew I didn’t want to disrespect and/or upset the coach that was in charge of who would be starting in the game so I simply nodded and listened to exactly what they were telling me to do. I would even go as far as actually practicing what they told me to do in front of them. Key phrase: in front of them (one must not look like a complete moron at all times while doing some outlandish drill a person of authority thinks will get you better even though they have never snapped a ball a day in their life).

Then, when it was live, I would do exactly as I was properly taught (side note: you remember how I was taught, right) and the ball would zip back there. It was great to watch how happy the coaches were that their method worked (wink, wink)! Shhhh, don’t tell them that you actually really just went back to what was already working or did a new way that I taught you. They will just care that the ball is back into the punter’s/holder’s hands. They will not be able to see the intricacies of the actual snap so don’t over stress about it.

Bottom line, you are going to have to deal with difficult people your entire life and you need to realize how to handle them. They will never go away and it won’t always be about Long Snapping. Trust me, if it was life would be a whole heck of a lot easier.

 

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Chris-Rubio-2

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.

 

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Filed Under: Article Archives, Athlete, Coaches, Deep Snapper, Football, Long Snapper, Maturity, Motivation Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

The People I See on My Travels – 3

March 19, 2011 By
Another flight, another person for you. As you know, I travel all over and see a ton of people. This one even baffled me. Let me introduce you to Mr-I-REALLY-Think-I-At-Home guy:
Please note: this is not an actor. He really rolls like this in public!

Can’t tell what this guy is doing you say? Let me clear it up for you…..he is cutting his nails while everyone is waiting to get on their flights! I really wish I was kidding, but, unfortunately, I am not.

Once again, as was with this guy, I simply couldn’t divert my eyes. I was staring into an eclipse with binoculars on but I didn’t care. This was something that needed to be viewed and analyzed. I was starting to get a little nervous that he would catch me, but then I realized, am I really the one that should be embarrassed? Absolutely not. Therefore, I embraced.  This guy is so off with his social norms that he needs to realize how clueless he is. I was hoping he would see me. He did not.

He was so blatant with his clipping (I was approximately seven feet from him acting like a paparazzi and he didn’t bat an eye), it made me really hope it was in the summer. That would have opened up so many opportunities with the obvious sandal option. This cat was at an airport I frequently hit, so I am really pulling to see him in a couple months. Keep your well manicured fingers crossed.

_________________________________________________________________

Chris-Rubio-2

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.

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Filed Under: Article Archives, Humor Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

The People I See On My Travels – 2

March 15, 2011 By
Well, I have been to a couple of airports since my last entry and oh do I have some winners for you (I’m only going to tell you about one right now). Let me introduce you to Mr-I-Have-No-Idea-That-I-Am-Wearing-A-Backpack guy. Please take a second and look at the following picture I have added for all the visual learners out there:

The Enemy
This guy is the person you see in the airport wearing a monster backpack. Seems innocent enough and you almost feel bad for him. Don’t ever feel sorry for this person. They are the enemy. They can take a person and/or magazine rack out with one turn of their body. Their backpack is usually filled with at least one laptop, and from the damage they create, one would assume at least a cinderblock or two.
This particular man was on a flight with me and sitting across the aisle. I noticed him right off the bat as he is a rare “double bagger.” Basically, he carries a monster backpack the normal way and then carries another bag with his paws. The extra bag just adds to his dangerousness because he will pay more attention to the bag in hand instead of the weapon he carries on his back (which does enough damage on it’s own, let alone when he is double unfocused).
He took out at least two small children simply walking down aisle of the plane. I was smart enough to see him coming and fully embraced the person next to me to avoid his wake. He sat down and tried to stuff his backpack/weapon under the chair in front of him. Given, it didn’t fit so he had a personal ottoman all flight. He almost cramped up he was in such a fetal position for so long. I was really hoping the cramps set it in so he would wait to get off the flight. They didn’t.

When we landed, I tried again to snuggle with the person next to me to make some room for Godzilla’s tail but I couldn’t get out of the way quick enough and was nailed several times. I am not sure if the guy was warming up for a hula-hoop contest or what, but he was spinning like a wild man and connecting with me on each turn. After four of five blows to my grill, I decided to just embrace hoping he would knock me out cold to end the misery. I was literally ducking and diving like a boxer.

Bottom line: you see a person on your travels with monster backpack, get away. You see a person with monster backpack and bag in hand, run for the hills.

_________________________________________________________________

Chris-Rubio-2

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.

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Filed Under: Article Archives, Humor Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Nike Spring Camp in CA

March 11, 2011 By

I can’t sleep. It is 2:24 am and I am pretty much wide awake. Couple reasons: baby on the way (May 23 and I am a thinker so my mind is always rolling on this one), a certain Apple product has peaked my interest, I watched Short Circuit a couple hours ago and was shocked at how bad it/the acting was (I refuse to believe all classic 80’s movies I grew up with are the same way!) and, finally, I am thinking a ton about this weekend’s Nike Spring Camp in CA.

(Side note: thought this was known, but apparently it is not, when you see something in my blogs in blue, like the words Apple product, that means there is a link within that word…click on it for a whole new world of possibilities. Double side note: you might also need to meander back through some past blogs to clear some things up)

This weekend’s camp is the beginning of my spring and summer tour. Think first day of school. I didn’t dread school when I was younger. I enjoyed it. It was easy and I was able to hang out with my friends. Don’t get me wrong, I was not a fan of homework, but rest of it (socializing, etc) made that part worth it for me. This camp is my first day of school…and I am excited.

It is essentially a local camp (I live in Idaho, but travel back to California quite often) for me so there will be a lot of Long Snappers that I know and this won’t be their first rodeo at a Rubio Long Snapping camp. I am very interested to see who steps up. Being comfortable around me is one thing. Performing in front of me is a whole other. The “regulars” know the routine and what I expect. The new guys will not. I would love to see a new Long Snapper come in and just wow me. Love it, but will it happen?

2011 –  Obviously, this class is stacked and there will be some key players in CA for this camp. I wonder if Scott Thompson and Tanner Gibas will show their dominance like they did in Vegas at the 9th Annual Event and blow everyone out of the water. Will Den Bleyker be confident and really let the ball fly? Will Longo show me how he has gained weight and prove that UCLA made a great decision in offering him a spot on the team? Will Gibbs stick his chest out, trust his form and let me see his improvement? How about Avila, the kid is built like a rock and is improving by the second.

2012 – This class is starting to really get their identity and it is solid. A lot of movement is going to occur in their rankings during the next nine months through the spring/summer camps and especially Vegas. This camp is their first step in a long journey and they need to start off on the right foot. The group in CA is filled with good Long Snappers…which ones will step up on Sunday and be great?

2013 – Several new sophomore Long Snappers will be attending this camp. Always intrigues me, but can they possibly keep up with some of the already old-timers? Key match-ups to see will be Lizanich (proven dominance), Mazza (up and coming, built like a 20 year old) and Thompson (form is best in class, and I am just waiting on the size to kick in). I am fully expecting a good amount of movement in this class.

Just read this post. Looks like I am putting a bit of pressure on the Long Snappers out in CA. That is not like me at all. I would never play a mind game like that now would I? Of course, being a Long Snapper is a position where one has to be able to handle an immense amount of pressure so maybe I would. Those that know me know the real answer is………

_________________________________________________________________

Chris-Rubio-2

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.

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Filed Under: Article Archives, Athlete, Athletics, California Camp, Deep Snapper, Exposure, Football, High School, Long Snapper, Motivation, Recruiting Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

What Makes a Long Snapper Great?

March 3, 2011 By

Rubio-Ad.jpgI work with hundreds of Long Snappers per year and often get asked the question, what makes a Long Snapper great? The answer is something that I should be able to (don’t worry, I can) spray out to someone pretty darn clearly and with the utmost precision for a couple different reasons.

First, I rank Long Snappers for a living on RubioLongSnapping.com so I probably should know what I am talking about and not just go off something like a ball hitting a target. It would be pretty ignorant of me to completely demolish a Long Snapper’s ranking simply because he missed a target by a quarter of an inch (would you punish a quarter back if he was aiming for the center of a receiver’s chest, but was off a quarter inch….didn’t think so). So much goes into the art of Long Snapping, but very few actually know what it entails.

Second, I get asked by coaches of all levels that exact question (what makes a Long Snapper great? in case you already forgot) simply to challenge me. They are actually testing me and want to hear what I say to decide if I actually know what I am talking about. Can you imagine asking a world class chef why his food is so tasty and he responds with “um, well, it is hot and, um just tastes good.” You would not trust him and definitely would not think he knew what he was talking about.

My answer needs to be precise and broken down so the average Joe can understand. For some reason, not everyone is as into Long Snapping as I am so I try to stay away from getting too technical. I know it is pathetic and sad, but it is what it is. I will work on the people I meet and you do the same. Hopefully, sooner than later, enough of us spraying can enable people to see the light and figure out that the “center just doesn’t do the snapping for punts too.”

Those of you on my e-mail list have already received something similar to this, but I thought I might make it even clearer. Here, in my opinion, is what makes a Long Snapper great……

SPEED – This is easily one of the top things everyone sees when they watch a Long Snapper and it should be. How fast is your snap from 15 yards? We are talking from the instant you start your snap (that is when the defender can get moving) to the instant it hits the punter’s paws.   You are looking for something below .78. Most top tier Long Snappers nowadays flirt with the high .6s. Obviously, the quicker you are the better your rank and the more people/coaches/agents will be drawn to you. Easy way to judge speed is to simply watch the ball from the side about ten yards away. Does the ball have an arch or is it still rising when it hits the punter? Arch is bad, rising is good….told you I would break it down for you:) Check out this video of Rubio Long Snapper Tanner Gibas (2011, CA – headed to Kansas) and how his ball is rising:

Please note on this video: Gibas is basically trying to kill the person catching the ball. I love this (sorry Mr. Sue) because I ALWAYS teach my Long Snappers to snap the ball through the punter and not to him. Mr. Sue actually looks like he is trying to defend himself. I love it! Sorry, yet again Mr. Sue.The average high school Long Snapper hovers around the 1.0 second region. Most high school coaches don’t care simply because they just want the “ball to get there” (sound familiar to all of in the high school world?). The average college Long Snapper is mid .6s to high .7s.The pros are usually right around the same as college but they just don’t ever miss. They are like machines.

ACCURACY– This is usually the third thing someone notices about a Long Snapper. How accurate are you when snapping. Meaning does the punter/holder have to move around a lot to catch your snaps. Best possible location is the right hip (for a right footed punter). Even though some punters like the ball at their chest, this is actually not that great of a spot since they (punters) have to turn the ball over and, for some reason, they can have troubles with this process. A great Long Snapper is not going to make their punter/holder move. Good way to test this is to have someone catch your snaps from about 15 yards away while sitting in a lawn chair. How many footballs in a row can you snap without making that person move? Five, ten, fifteen, fifty? Anything less than ten and you need some work in my book.

Here is a good example of a Rubio Long Snapper, Scott Daly (2012 – IL – Starting at Notre Dame now), showing some very solid accuracy. The ball is in the same spot on all snaps.

CONSISTENCY– This one is a bit tricky to understand since everyone always tries to lump it in with accuracy. Little bit different since consistency, in my eyes, means the ball staying the same speed the with each and every snap. Basically, you and the punter/holder/kicker are trying to create a rhythm. Given, the whole process starts with the most important person on the team, the Long Snapper. Your snap needs to be a good, consistent tempo at all times. It is very hard for a punter to get a rhythm with a Long Snapper if one snap is a rocket and the other is a floater. If you snap a .75 that is great, but is it like that every time? Varying your time from .7 to .8 is a massive valley to cross and can screw up the timing of everything. It is similar to seeing fast ball, fast ball, fast ball, change up…it would screw you up. Big issues with this category come when a Long Snapper has to snap and block.

Below is a great video for consistency from Rubio Long Snapper Reid Ferguson (2012, GA, now at LSU). When you watch this masterpiece, note how the speed is almost identical on every single snap. It almost looks like one snap, cut and pasted over and over again.


SIZE– This is either the first or second thing someone notices about a Long Snapper. Even before you snap a ball someone is going to judge you on your looks. Think about it. You ever look at the old time Cadillacs and say, “Man, I bet that thing hauls!” Not even close. You see a massive ride that isn’t going anywhere quick (quite comfy though).How big are you? How strong are you? Are you built well? Do you pass the eyeball test? If you got off a plane to visit a college coach, what would be the first thing he thought when he saw you? Size and look of your body is a big thing with colleges and, therefore, a big thing with me.Given, not everyone is 6’4″ and 250 lbs so you have to do the best with what you got. How would you look in just your underwear? If vomit is making its way to your mouth right now, you might want to hit the elliptical and some weights. If you are undersized you will need to make up in other ways to compensate (grades, perfect form, blocking, speed of ball, attitude, aggressiveness). Perfect example would be someone like Rubio Long Snapper Scott Thompson (2011, CA – headed to NC State). He is not a giant, but uses his solid Long Snapper frame….meaning massive butt and legs which is a good thing for a Long Snapper:)…exceptionally well. Watch this video to see Scott really utilizing his backside almost like a trebuchet…love it!


Ideal Long Snapper frame? Rubio Long Snapper Nick Boyle (2011, NJ – headed to Delaware) is pretty darn close:

Yours truly and Nick Boyle
Please Note: I am not a small fellow (over 6 ft tall and above two turns on the scale)
and Nick is making me look like a child.

ATHLETICISM– how athletic are you? Can you move down field? Would you be able to divert the punt returner or even tackle him? Are you light on your feet or are you causing the ground to shake…in a bad way? Solid athleticism can really help out a ranking if you are under and over sized. It is not a deal breaker, but man oh man can it help a Long Snapper that is battling against another one in the coach’s eyes.

On that note, I can reflect back on quite a few Long Snappers that are beyond sub-par athletes (think doing a layup, mind you with no one around, and launching it well over the backboard….not even kidding) that are exceptional at Long Snapping.

BLOCKING– how well do you block? “My HS coach does not require me to block” doesn’t fly with me. It shows toughness and coaches will want to know if you can block. You say the school/coach you are getting recruited by does the spread punt….awesome! What happens if/when that coach leaves and the new one wants to see you block since he is doing the pro style? You aren’t going to say “sorry I don’t block” you are going to do exactly what you need to do to get/keep the starting spot.

Blocking is a major selling point for a Long Snapper. You can jump up the rankings very quickly by being able to snap AND block. Like I always say, there are thousands of people that can snap a ball, and there are thousands that can block, but there are very, very few that can actually snap AND block.

Look at this video of Rubio Long Snapper Samuel Rodgers (2011, PA – headed to Syracuse) and how his snap is the exact same (phenomenal) when he is blocking. Such a huge win to be able to do both.


SPIRAL– This one is pretty basic. Either your ball spirals or it doesn’t. You can look at this one two ways. 1) Scientifically: tight spiral cuts through the wind due to less resistance. 2) Caveman: Bad spiral is hard for the punter, who is already fighting an uphill battle since they aren’t a Long Snapper, to catch. How well does your ball spiral? Having a very fast snap and little to no spiral will crush your speed, your ranking and the opinion of you in a coach’s eyes. Just think if someone didn’t know a ton about Long Snapping, wouldn’t a nice, pretty spiral be something that catches their eye? The answer is undoubtedly YES.
MENTALITY– This is a huge one for Long Snappers and can absolutely crush you. Being a Long Snapper is extremely challenging because you essentially can never obtain a rhythm. A lineman misses a block and he has about forty seconds before he can redeem himself. You might have to wait for twenty to thirty minutes.  You snap a perfect ball, jog off the field and have to wait for a large chunk of time to get back in there. The only time you are on the field a ton is if your team is great (pats) or terrible (punts).How well do you handle pressure? Look at the picture below. Would that bother you or would you thrive on it?

Being a Long Snapper is a difficult position. If it was easy, quarterbacks would do it:) Coaches and I need to see how well you handle pressure and awkward situations. When you are playing in front of 100,000 people are you going to tell them all to shoosh? Nope. Didn’t think so.

When you combine all of these factors with a solid work ethic, you will get a Long Snapper that is simply a juggernaut. See, that is the trick. Finding someone that has all the attributes AND is willing to put in the time and effort. When you mix them all together you will obtain something along the lines of this (turn your volume WAY up so you can fully embrace)…..


For those of that don’t know (welcome back from living under that rock you have been calling home for the past 8 years), in the video is long time Rubio Long Snapper Christian Yount. He is someone that got into Long Snapping simply to get a spot on the bus. After hearing his HS coach tell him to “not even bother with Long Snapping since no one goes to college simply for that”,  Christian accomplished the following….

  • He went out and received a full scholarship to UCLA during his junior year (first to ever do that)
  • He was the only member of his HS team to get a full ride (the irony on this simply delicious)
  • He started all four years at UCLA
  • He was a two time Playboy All-American (the first one to ever be chosen)
  • He was selected to the Senior Bowl
  • He played in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Bucaneers, Cleveland Browns and the New England Patriots.

To top it all off, and in the Long Snapper way, Christian is a superb human being. Combine it all and you have a Long Snapper that is, well, great.

Told you I could answer the question:)

_________________________________________________________________

Chris-Rubio-2

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.

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Rubio Spray

February 25, 2011 By
I figured before I continue with these Rubio Long Snapping blogs, it might be time for a little background on the words and phrases I use in my spoken and written word. I definitely have my own sort of language. Many are confused by it while others embrace. Either way, I keep spraying so you better get used to it. Here is a key for you to get by:
EMBRACE: Definitely one of my favorite words. Originally started off as a saying between Sailer and I. Began as “accept and embrace” since we believe you should accept and embrace each and everything in your life. Keep that motto and life will be easier for you. Trust me. You will hear/see me use this word a ton. It can be used in place of several words and can be used for pretty much anything. For instance….
“I embrace so hard” translates out to “wow, that is really, really great.”
“Embrace” translates out to “love it”
The possibilities of this word are endless.
DONE: This word is used at the end of a sentence to finalize something. Quick and very to the point. Example would be being in a restaurant and asking the waiter/waitress if meal A or B is better? When they reply that meal A is better, you simply say “done.” Translates out to “that is perfect. I appreciate you telling me that and I will take it.” People get a little confused by this one as they are usually waiting for a follow up word. One must really hold on and let “done” do its work.
SPLASH: Means a little bit. A Long Snapper can have a splash of nervousness and needs to relax.

YES: Simple and to point. This word for me is used with a ton of gusto and always in an exclamatory fashion. Nothing is needed to follow it and a simple YES! will suffice most of time time. This one started back in the day when Sailer and I were running a camp in PA and ran into my relatives in Pittsburgh. Needless to say, they had a 87 course meal waiting for us and every time they asked him if he wanted something to eat, he simply answered YES! They were astonished and he just kept embracing (see, this time embrace is used differently…hopefully you are grasping the concept now). I will use this a ton after seeing an exceptional snap.

SPRAY: Means talk. You can spray someone with words or knowledge. The trick is to not get sprayed too much. Plane rides can cause a code red for being sprayed since you are trapped and usually can’t get away from the sprayer.

GANDER: Means to look at someone. One can “take a gander at a Long Snapper from a distance”

GLORIOUS: Means really good. Great if you will. Why don’t I just use the word great? Because I don’t want to. “That snap was simply glorious”

FANTASTIC: Means what it means but not a lot of people use it so I chose to embrace it. Try it next time someone asks how you are doing. Respond with fantastic. It really rattles them. On the phone is also a great time to use it. “Hey Rubio, how are you doing today?” “Fantastic, and you?” Given, I try to do it all the time to hear/see the reactions.

208: Refers to all of Idaho because the entire state has only one area code. I think this is amazing and can’t get over it. You will often her me call someone a “208er” or say “that is so 208”
WELL DONE: This one can get tricky since you already read about DONE and want to correlate this one with that one. Stop. You are wrong. This one translates to “You did a terrific job” I could look at a Long Snapper have a great snap and simply say “well done” and that is more than enough praise in Rubio terms. Well done is not said with a lot of excitement. There is no need to as it is strong in it’s stance.

SOLDIER: Means a great person. Someone who gets things done immediately. Someone you can trust. “You are a soldier! I can’t believe you finished all of the work so quickly“CAT: Means a guy. I heard a jazz musician spray it once. I embraced. Done. “That kicker is one odd looking cat”

WINNERS AND LOSERS: Another key phrase Sailer and I use. Simple and clears things up for people. In everything, there are winners and losers. Figure that out and life will be just a tad simpler for you. “You lost your prom date to another Long Snapper? Winners and losers my friend”

CAVEMAN: When a Long Snapper is very strong and extremely raw. Basically like a caveman. Tons of potential just don’t know what they are doing…yet. “That kid is a caveman. He is going to be good once he figures out how to do it”

HUGE WIN: Means what it means. A huge win would be having a Long Snapper that is extremely talented AND has fantastic grades.”You just snapped a .68 and have a 4.5 gpa! That is a huge win!” I prefer to really hold the huge for emphasis.

FARM: This one was created by Marcus J (Sailer’s brother). To farm or farming is a long process of doing something. Getting recruited as a Long Snapper is basically like farming. You plant a seed (snap well) and watch your crops grow (recruitment). Sometimes you need to stop the crop (move onto a different school) and sometimes the crop is right for the picking (you found your school). TOP 12ers have a different meaning for farming and you will have to ask them about it.

SPREAD OUT: I love this one. Spread out translates pretty clearly and simply means to move away. People crowd you? Just say spread out. “Alright, alright….you are all too close to me, spread out.” Used it a ton while teaching 6th grade. Originally used in The Three Stooges. It is a phrase that works wonders.

GIVEN: I use this when something is, well, a given. “Are Long Snappers more important then kickers? Given.” As one can see the word is very powerful and needs no partners with it. Easily stands on it’s own like “done” and “yes”

SIDE NOTE: Since I am a Long Snapper, I tend to be a higher level thinker. In being that, my mind works quickly and is all over the place. I will use the phrase side note usually when I am telling a story and then, all of a sudden, another story pops into my head. Instead of simply waiting until the end to spray the sub story I will say, in the middle of the story, “Side note” and then tell the sub story. Then, without hesitation, jump right back into the main story. It can cause confusion, but since I am speaking to mostly Long Snappers I know they handle it:)

Hope that clears some things up for everyone. I think that is most of the phrases and words I use in abundance. Let me know if I missed any and I will add them to this glorious list.

Chris-Rubio-2Rubio 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.

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My First Snap

February 22, 2011 By
Right off the bat I am going to tell you this one will be long winded but well worth it. It’s a great story and will explain a lot about the way I snap and teach my Long Snappers.
I am at UCLA and my first year is basically filled with coaches saying this, “Rubio, go play offensive line for scout team” In case you don’t know what the scout team is, let me clarify: blocking dummy with less pull. I was 18 years old, very chubby (I will choose not to use the word fat thank you very much), red shirting and third string Long Snapper. I was beyond the lowest man on the totem pole. I did what I was told and embraced. It stunk, but I was on the team.
My second season, I am the backup Long Snapper and actually getting a couple reps. When you are the second string guy at a skilled position, “couple reps” means maybe two per week. Those reps better be perfect or you will get even less the following week and your chance of sniffing the field will be become less and less a reality.
Anyway, I am fully cherishing my role as the second string Long Snapper. Lots of relaxing and not a lot of doing. I basically warmed up and had the best seat in the house for the game. All was well until I started to really think about being the second string guy. The main thought rolling around in my dome was: ok, so if this guy (the starter) goes down, I have to be ready to go right away. This was quite the concern to me for a couple reasons. First, am I really ready to go into a college game and do one of the most incredible and difficult things in sports (why yes, being upside down, hitting a perfect spot and having someone want to crush you is very difficult…a quarterback gets to stand up, look around and has people blocking for them…Long Snapper, not so much help or simplicity)? Second, how would I know when to start loosening up to get ready to snap in the game? This one might need a bit of explanation. In case you have never seen me in action (bending) I am quite possibly the most un-flexible human being in the history of man. Try to imagine a frozen caveman dipped into cement and you have me. Trainers at UCLA seriously told me that I was the most un-flexible athlete, not limiting me to just football, they have ever seen. Given, I embraced and I am pretty sure Sailer high-fived me when he found out that little fact about me.
Enough background, we are playing Arizona St. and it is getting out of hand….in a good way. By the end of the first quarter I think we were up by 20 and it just kept snowballing from there. At halftime, we were up 42-0. I begin my trot into the locker room and a coach grabs me and says, “Rubio, this keeps up and you’re getting some reps in the game.” Words cannot express how fast and hard my heart was pounding. I make it to the locker room and immediately start a power stretch. By end of halftime, I am in deep lather from stretching as hard as ever.
Third quarter comes and goes. We are still crushing them and I am snapping footballs on the sideline like it is going out of style. Finally, with about five minutes left in the game, a coach tells me, “Rubio, we attempt a field goal and you are going in” More stretching, more snaps, more cardiac arrest.
We are driving, I move towards the coaches, we stall and the ball is on the 25. Field goal unit is called. This is when the story really gets going. I jog on the field and get in our huddle. Things are said. I remember nothing. I was focused. Too focused. I meander up to the ball. Long-haired monster from Arizona St. is staring me down. He is exhausted. I am of course fresh as can be. I place my hands on the ball. Time stops. I look at my right hand and flip out. Here is where over thinking plays havoc on a Long Snapper and why I am so adamant about my Long Snappers not doing so.
I couldn’t remember if my dominant ring finger was just above, on or below the lace. I must have adjusted it from above, to on, to below twenty times in ten seconds (seemed like hours). Nothing felt right and I was thinking so hard on where my darn finger was supposed to go. I looked and nothing looked right. Take a gander at the photos to see how truly different all of these finger placements are and why I should have stressed so much about it:)
Above the lace
On the lace
Below the lace
Finally, after a couple days (or ten seconds) the guy (remember my long-haired pal from Arizona St who is waiting to crush me) says to me in the kindest, most gentile voice (not really), “JUST SNAP THE BALL _________!” (please feel free to throw in any degrading adjective you would like and you won’t equal what was sprayed to me). I heard him, took a quick breath and snapped the ball. The ball wobbled a tad, but was still money. My first college play was over. I had snapped a good ball and learned a very valuable lesson….do NOT over think when snapping. My long-haired buddy yelled at me but was dead on. I just needed to snap the ball. No thinking, just snapping.
From this point on, I knew to not over think any of my snapping. And, in turn, why I am always telling all of my Long Snappers to let me think for them and have them just snap the ball. Like I say, we are not working for NASA, it is simply a dead animal that I need you to snap really hard.

Chris-Rubio-2Rubio 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.

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Filed Under: Article Archives, College, Football, Long Snapper Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

The Beginning……..

January 5, 2011 By
I am creating this blog to be able to go into a great deal of depth for my Long Snappers (always will be capitalized as they deserve it) and their parents. Imagine my Twitter on steroids. I will try to keep it up weekly. Instead of just jumping into a random topic about Long Snapping, I decided the first one will be in response to how I got started in Long Snapping. It is one of the most common questions I get and a pretty good story, so here we go…
Rubio – 7th Grade

Growing up I was always a bit heavy for my age. How big you might ask? Put it this way, elastic and I were very good friends from about second grade on. I was a big kid and a solid athlete. I did well at all sports that involved hand eye coordination and I enjoyed being in charge on teams. Pitcher, point guard, quarterback…those were my positions. I was a big kid and used my weight very well to my advantage.

Organized football began for me and it was “banished” to flag football. Oh, I could have played tackle but it would have been with kids at least four years older due to my extra bit of weight I was toting around. So, I played flag and was the quarterback. I loved it. I could throw the ball a mile (probably twenty yards) and football was one of my favorite sports. Years passed and I got to my freshman year in high school. Finally, I would be able to play tackle football without weight restrictions. I was beyond ready, or so I thought.
First day of freshman football and the coach says, “Rubio, what position do you want to play.” Given, I say “quarterback” and smile. This moment is one of the times in your life that you never forget. The coach looks at me and says, “Rubio, you are way too big for quarterback and you will NEVER touch the football.” I was sent to the offensive line and was set up with a coach who insisted on yelling every single thing. Let me clarify something pretty quickly here, I am not someone who enjoys being yelled at (hence why you will never, ever see me yell at my Long Snappers). I consider myself not too shabby in the brains department and can follow instructions pretty well. Tell me to do something and consider it done. Show me and it is really done. Yell at me and you are now Charlie Brown’s teacher to me.
Needless to say, I loathed freshman football. Fourth string everything, the pads were annoying, never played and was way out of shape. I was done with football. After season (yes, I made it through and did NOT quit….also a pretty substantial moment in my life) I told myself I wasn’t going to play again and would focus on grades and other sports. All that changed pretty quickly in about a year’s time.
Over the summer between my sophomore and junior year, a good friend of mine and I were throwing a football around at his house when he decided to snap it to me. He was the starting Long Snapper for the varsity team. I literally had never even paid attention to that position (who would) and never had seen someone do it up close (again, who would). Immediately, being competitive at that age, I told him I could do that. I grabbed the ball like I was throwing it and just tossed it, one handed, upside down to him. He was astounded and said, “Rubio, you know that snap was really good?!?” I had no idea what I had even done or how I did it. To me it was just throwing a ball upside down and backwards. It was easy for me and I was hooked. Here was my chance to touch the football and be somewhat in charge. I was essentially a more exclusive quarterback.
Rubio – 11th Grade

Junior year comes around and I am ready for football. Grew into my body a bit (still much closer to three clicks on the scale then to two but was over six feet tall) and knew what to expect. Plus, I had a niche. I ended up starting at Long Snapper and offensive lineman. I was very average at lineman but solid at Long Snapper. Junior year was finished and I got more and more focused on Long Snapping. I would set up a tire on a tree in my backyard and just let it rain. Remember, I used to be a quarterback and could throw the ball very well. Since I was a one handed snapper, it was the same thing to me as a quarterback. I just happened to me upside and aiming the wrong way. I got down, got set and threw it as hard as I could. I had no idea what I was actually doing, but I could do it and I did it well.

During my senior year of football, I began to get letters from universities across the country simply for Long Snapping. I thought it was a joke. Even though I was a Long Snapper, I still didn’t really focus on others and/or even watch a ton of football to see other Long Snappers doing it. I guess I never even realized if you did it in high school, you would essentially be able to do it in college. It turns out colleges really appreciate someone with solid grades, was well rounded with school activities, had a good frame and can snap a ball pretty darn quick.
Ended up narrowing my decision down to three schools: Columbia, Pitzer and UCLA. Columbia ended up being eliminated when the coach heard my mother yell while I was on the phone that there was no way in hell I was going all the way to New York (seriously happened). Pitzer got knocked out when I visited the school and just couldn’t see myself there. UCLA was the winner. It was a place I had always wanted to go and now I had the opportunity. Decision was done. I was off to the school of my dreams and the doors opened to that school in part because of Long Snapping.
What happened at UCLA? Maybe that story will be told on another blog:)

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.

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