Making Sure You Are Ready for College

I recently posted a blog about being a freshman that spoke about how to handle yourself in the first year of college. After speaking to college coaches and national sports writers, I felt that I better write a new blog about actually making sure you are ready to graduate high school first, in order to be that freshman.

GO SPEAK TO YOUR COUNSELOR 

One of the biggest issues high school students have is believing they can get into a specific college simply because they are graduating from high school. There is nothing that can be farther from the truth. You actually can graduate from high school, even with honors, and still not get into specific schools. You MUST make sure your counselor knows which particular schools you are interested in so you are able to plan to take the specific classes that each school requires. If they (your counselor) brushes you off and gives you a “trust me, you are definitely on course to graduate” type of answer, you need to insist they double check that you have the right classes for the school(s) you are shooting for after high school.

For instance, some schools require four years of English or extra Fine Arts classes. Nothing against electives, but imagine if you missed out on getting into a college simply because you forgot to take an art, cooking or ceramics class? Don’t roll your eyes, I have seen it happen…several times. 

TAKE BOTH THE ACT & SAT TESTS
If you are planning on going to college, you know of the SAT and ACT tests. Some regions of the country lean more towards one test over the other. The best advice I can give is to take them both and take them both twice.

Let’s face it, the first time you do anything, you are caught a little off-guard and are not really sure of what you are doing. The first time you take the ACT & SAT is simply to become familiar with it and know what to expect the second time. If you end up doing very well the first time, that’s great! Now, just think how much better you will be able to do the second time.

The reason for taking them both (even though, as I stated, one may be more common in your region of the country) is simple: you may do better on one over the other. True, they are both similar in nature but, for some reason, I have seen many athletes do average on one and dominate the other. For example, I had one athlete that scored approximately 1,900 out of 2,400 on the SAT. Very respectable score but nothing to write home about in the long run. He proceeded to take the ACT and scored an amazing 35 out of 36! People at NASA score in that zone 🙂 Had he not taken both tests, he would never had known how high a score he could have achieved to impress the colleges and make his entry, as an athlete, that much easier.

Rubio Long Snapper Scotty Thompson
made sure he was all set in high school
and earned a full scholarship to NC State

GET CLEARED BY THE NCAA
When you have fully decided that you are headed to college after high school, you want to make sure you register with the NCAA. Once you are registered (not the easiest process but it will pay off in the end) and have shown you are taking the right classes, you will be cleared by the NCAA. Being “cleared” basically means you are now eligible to play sports at the NCAA level (college). It does NOT mean that you necessarily will be admitted to the college of your choice, but it does mean you are eligible to play IF you do get in.

This is huge for coaches and recruiters as it shows that you are ready to go and they won’t have to jump through a ton of hopes in order to get you to play. Think of it as being pre-qualified to buy a car or home.

To cut questions off at the pass, YES, even if you are 100% sure you are attending a JC (Junior College), you should take the ACT, SAT and get cleared by the NCAA in high school. The reason is, if you are cleared, you will be able to leave your JC early without having to stay and complete your A.A. degree. You would be able to enroll at a four year college for Spring Ball instead of having to wait until the Fall to start with the team. This can be huge for recruiting purposes and you don’t want to miss out on any opportunities that may come up for you.

Be sure to spread this blog out to as many high school athletes as possible so they don’t have to miss out on an opportunity and wonder what if?

 

 

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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 15 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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How to get Exposure as a High School Athlete

One of the most common questions I receive is “Rubio, how can I get exposure to the college coaches?” Great question that is easily answered once and for all here….

1. Get yourself to a reputable camp that actually has connections to the colleges. 

It is very easy to make a nice looking website and claim things on the website. The problem is that many sites are simply smoke and mirrors with tons of claims and no actual facts. Do your homework, talk to coaches to see who they recommend, check testimonial pages and speak to others that have attended the camp to see if it is worth your time and, more importantly, your hard earned dollar. You should go to a camp because you know it will be good and worth it, not because it might be good and worth it. 

2.  Make sure your high school coach knows that you are serious about your position and getting to the next level.

Once you have decided that you will stop at nothing to make it to college, you must let your coach know. Tell them that you are going to camps, you work on your position year round and are wiling to do what ever it takes to make your dream a reality. This will impress the coach (as long as you are truly doing what you are saying) and make your name stick in his head when the colleges come knocking on his door. Please note: take your coach’s advice on recruiting to a certain extent. This becomes an issue if a coach pushes someone too high. To clarify, unless your coach is VERY familiar with your particular position, take Long Snapper for instance, don’t rely on his word too much. What this means is that quite often a high school coach will tell a player “You are the best Long Snapper I have ever coached! You are definitely going to college for snapping!” This is fantastic if the coach has actually coached several college Long Snappers. If he hasn’t, you just might be the best of the worst and yet another reason you need to attend quality camps (see #1).

3. Always be in the right place at the right time. 

Let’s say you have a top tier running back on your team and college coaches are always on campus to see if he passes the eye ball test at practice. You have essentially hit the jackpot. ANYTIME a college coach is at your practice, you need to MAKE SURE you just happen to showcase your talent in front of them. If you are a Long Snapper, you should just happen to be snapping 15 yard bullets so they can see you. If you are a lineman, you should be working on your stance and steps. Make them notice you. This is your chance, do not let it pass you by simply because you were shy. You don’t want any opportunity to pass you by. 

4. Create a YouTube channel.

First of all, I like the YouTube channels over other film sharing services for a couple reasons. A) You don’t need an account to view a YouTube channel and B) YouTube is such a large company there is rarely issues with their server(s). The last thing you want is to send your coach a link and either he can’t access it, it is broken or takes way too long to load. With YouTube, you are relatively safe in these matters.

Creating a YouTube channel for yourself is very easy to do, save you tons of time in the long run and always will give you a base to send coaches to see you and your improvement. To make your own YouTube channel simply…

  • Go to YouTube. com 
  • Click create a YouTube account. If you already have a gmail account, you can simply use that. If you are starting fresh with this process it literally takes one minute.
  • Once your account is created, there is blueish profile silhouette of a person in the upper right hand corner…click on it.
  • A drop down menu will appear….click on MY CHANNEL and then press OK, I’M READY TO CONTINUE
  • You will now see a very basic version of what your page will look like. You can fluff this up anyway you want and I would recommend a solid action shot of you in uniform to show how great you are in your sport right off the bat.
  • At the top, just to the left of your name, click on UPLOAD and let the games begin!

You should upload practice and game footage once a week during season and approximately once per month in the off-season. If you are below average at first, that is ok and, don’t erase those videos in the end. Leave them, it shows how much you have improved over time. 

5. Associate yourself with a reputable recruiting service. 

Similar to #1, there are tons of services out there that create flashy websites and claim tons of things when, in actuality, they just take your money and do nothing for you. You want to find a service that can be a one stop shop for you. They should be able to  do research for you about coaches and ways to contact them, send out mass email blasts for you, create a page for you, create a video for you, and have it all go to the right people. If you are true D1 athlete, that is the direction they should send your information. If you are more of a D2-D3 athlete, the majority of your blasts should be sent in that direction. You don’t want to waste your’s or the coach’s time by sending them info if you are not at their level. (Please note: I have encountered many of these companies and one of the best I have seen is NCSA).

6. Create a Twitter account and Facebook page to keep in contact.
 

Most already have one, if not both, of the above mentioned social media monsters and they should. The NCAA has not banned college coaches from using them yet, so it is a loop hole that should be utilized. When you begin to make contact with coaches/recruiting coordinators, let them see your personality, keep your pages clean (yes, parents feel free to monitor them as well) and be sure to send them links to your newly created YouTube channel. 

 

Follow these six steps and you should get all of the exposure you could ever imagine. Now, the ball is in your court to put all of the exposure you will be getting to good use.

_________________________________________________________________

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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678

Rubio’s Tips to Traveling

If you know me and what I do at all, you know I travel a ton. I have taken to this blog to let you know about some interesting chaps I have been a witness to in the past (reminder ONE, TWOTHREE and FOUR) and will vent yet again today.

In June and July, I was on approximately 50 flights, had been in 20 states and countless hotels. Pretty amazing if I do say so myself:) In all of my travels, I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly. You would be absolutely shocked at many of the things that I have encountered in airports, hotels and on the road. I have created a list of things people need to work on to make traveling a tad easier on all. Some/All of them will seem a bit basic but are all things I have encountered (seriously) and should be worked on. Since I like to keep this blog to roughy five minutes for the reader, I will have to break it down into segments (this will be part one of possible 900) and please feel free to contribute.

Here we go…
 
When you are getting on a flight, check out the paper they give you.
All of these people are waiting for people
to find their seats. This shouldn’t be that difficult.
  • When you are getting on a plane, they give you a ticket. On that ticket, they have information for you. One of the biggest bits on there is a number and letter that tells you what row and seat you are located on the flight. It is astonishing to me how often people don’t get this right or how many times I have had to tell someone they are in my seat (the best is when they argue with me about it) or how many times I have seen people stare at their ticket in amazement as they proceed down the aisle holding up every single person getting on the flight. Quick hint, the numbers go up. So, row one is one, row two is two and it just keeps on going.  Need some help, ask the flight attendant and let’s get movin’ people.
 
When you are getting off your flight, so is everyone else.
  • Last time I checked, no one lives on a Delta airplane. Therefore, everyone is getting off. Just like you got on and found your seat, when you land, it is time to relinquish your seat and depart. Now, to make it easy, everyone should exit from the front to back. Seems easy enough, right? Wrong. For some reason, there is an epidemic of people that love to rush past you and not allow a person out of their row. Got a tight connection? So does everyone else. Want to get back home? So does everyone else. What I like to do to combat the “rushers” (people that rush the aisle) is just stick my hoof out so they know that I also am leaving the plane. The best part is people get mad at me for wanting to exit. Check it out, you will notice this epidemic. Together, we can stop it!
 
When you are attempting to get into an elevator, you should let the people out of the elevator first.
  • One would think it would be quite obvious, and basically a third grade science lesson (if an object is full, you will need to remove items before adding more), but for some reason this is tricky to many people in the world. I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I would walk to the edge of the elevator, on my way out, and have a stare down with someone as they tried to bull me over to get in. At this point in my “travelness,” I simply stand my ground and wait. My theory is at some point they will have to let me out or they will never be able to get in.   
 

I am going to halt right here before I throw my computer against the wall from being so fired up and sparking so many bad memories:) As stated, this will, undoubtedly, have to be a possible 900 part segment to the blog as I continue to travel. Don’t hesitate to comment if you feel the need. Together, we can enlighten the world!

Click HERE to have me read this blog to you

_________________________________________________________________

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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48

Which One Are You?

There are several different types of people in the world, but I tend to break it down into two categories: givers and takers.

Now, before you fly off the handle and think of me as an intensely greedy person, let me explain. I don’t mean “give” in the literal sense. I am not talking about the person actually giving me something tangible. I am talking about how they give me something. The provide me with something. They enlighten me with something. That something could be an open ear, a laugh, a story, a wink, a nod, a hug, or maybe even some confidence. Those are the people you want to surround yourself with AND the person you want to be. You want people to be around you because you can provide them with something that you can’t even put a price tag on. That is when you know you are a success. 

 
On the flip side, you have those in your life that tend to simply always need something from you, the takers. Yet again, I am not speaking of only tangible items that you can hold onto (but they tend to want those, too). I am speaking of people that always want you to listen to them or want your time or want you to hear about their day or want you to help them, but, for one reason or another, never have anytime for you. At times, those that take are not only people, they can be jobs, situations, sites, or companies. 
 
Now, think about your circle of friends, teammates, co-workers, businesses you associate with, your job and your family members. Which ones are givers and which ones are takers? 
 
Look at yourself.  Are you yourself, a giver or taker? Is it time to re-evaluate others and yourself? Well, what are you waiting for? You are not getting any younger and life is too short to surround yourself with and/or be a “taker.” Like they say, the time is now. 
 
Do the world, and yourself, a favor….surround yourself with, and be, a giver.
 
So, what is it…….are you a giver or a taker?_________________________________________________________________

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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28

11th Annual Contest!

If you have been following me on Twitter and Facebook for the past couple years, you know I always start the day with an inspirational quote to get the day going in a positive direction.



You also know that I love pictures and will use them to motivate you. Bottom line, I love a good quote and pics and I want you to incorporate one of them into earning a free trip to Vegas.

Your assignment(s), if you choose to accept one, is to either…

CREATE an inspirational quote and tell me how it relates to you and your long snapping

or

Print a picture that has motivated you in your Long Snapping and fully explain to me why it has motivated you (No, You can’t use the one below)

Please note for essay: I have said CREATE a quote. That does not mean searching the internet to find one. I want you to be creative (get it) and use your head and what motivates you. On that note, if you know someone personally (family, friend, etc.) that has created one, you can embrace theirs if you choose to for this contest. If you do use someone else’s, you need to give them credit. 

 
RULES…. 
1. You have to be a Long Snapper to enter.

2. You may enter if you range from 8th grader to 2nd year of Junior College. 

3. You may only use one quote or pic. No you may not do both contests. Choose one and go full speed. 

4. Your answer must be handwritten/printed and not typed. Remember, I used to be teacher so I know when mommy and daddy do work for their child. Don’t even try it. 

5. Your answer (essay for quote or pic) cannot be more than 300 words 

6. It must legible. If I can’t read it, it doesn’t get read. Plain and simple 

7. Grammar and spelling count. You are a Long Snapper, therefore you are highly
intelligent….prove it to me. 

8. All entries (quote and the essay or pic and the essay) must be to me by no later than October 19th with the winner being announced on November 1st. I know that doesn’t give you a lot of time but I also know the more time I give you, the more time you will just procrastinate.

9. Turn in on October 19th doesn’t mean postmarked by that day. It means in my hand by that day. So, unless you live next door to me, I would mail it at least a week prior to ensure I get your masterpiece. Let’s just say, I don’t live in a big city and mail takes some time. You cannot email, fax it, scan it or lazer it to me. Needs to be standard postal mail.

10. All entries will need to be sent to the following address: 
RUBIO
 
1104 Richardson Ave. 
 
Lewiston, ID. USA 83501

11. If you are the winner and you have already registered for the 11th Annual Event, you can forward your victory to a future Rubio Long Snapping camp. 
 
Any questions should be sent to Rubio@RubioLongSnapping.com

Winner of the Rubio Long Snapping essay contest wins a FREE admission to the 11th Annual National Snapping Event sponsored by Nike in Las Vegas on January 19-20, 2013. (accommodations and travel are not covered) The winner of the contest will also have their entry displayed within the packet each long snapper receives upon checking in at the 11th Annual National Event.

Good luck!

Click HERE to have this contest read to you by me.

 
_________________________________________________________________

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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53

How to BE a Freshman – Part 2

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
– Mark Twain

_________________________________________________________________

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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47

How to BE a Freshman

BE Quiet – You should be extremely proud of all that you accomplished in high school, but remember just that…it was in high school. If you are lucky enough to play a college sport, you will be surrounded by All-Americans. Get over yourself and keep what you did in the past, in the past. Strive for new accomplishments and dominate.

BE on Time – You should always be at least fifteen minutes early to everything. Be late once and a coach will never, ever forget it. My motto is if you can’t be on time, be early.

BE Responsible – You should know that you are now officially a role model and many people are looking up to you and will want to emulate you. Whether it be the child that wants to be you or the parent that wants their child to be like you, you have a major responsibility to not let them down. Think before you do anything (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram). One slip up can hurt you for the rest of your life.

BE Nice – Whether it’s to the equipment guy, kids wanting an autograph, your parents, your tutors or academic advisor, you need to be nice. There is no doubt that all those involved in your life will speak to one another and if you are rude to one, they will all know and begin to look at you in a different light.

BE Assertive – It is very common for the upperclassmen to try and pick on you. It is what they do so get over it. They are simply testing you to see if you belong on “their” team. Advice: stick up for yourself but don’t start anything. IF, and the key word is if,  someone at practice attempts to push you around, push them back. Don’t take any crap or you will immediately be know as someone with no backbone that they (the team) won’t be able to rely on in a time of need. I repeat, stick up for yourself but don’t start anything.

BE Willing and Able to Adapt – When you go off to college, that is your new home. Accept and embrace it. Know that you are making a change and go in with an open mind. It is a new stage in your life and you need to go into it with wide open arms and not continuously talk about, think about or want to be home. If you are obsessing about the past, you can’t live in the present and make your future.

_________________________________________________________________

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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580

A Parent’s Role in Recruiting

 

1. Don’t speak to a college coach when they are recruiting your son/daughter.
I have said this one countless times on my Twitter (@TheChrisRubio) and even within this blog, but for some reason, parents still aren’t grasping the concept. The coach will want minimal contact with you. They are recruiting your son or daughter,  NOT YOU! Be cordial and answer their questions IF they are addressing you, otherwise butt out. Like I have spoken in the past, when you were dating your husband or wife, did you want go out on dates with them or their parents? Same thing.
 
2. Don’t speak for your son/daughter amongst adults. 
If a coach, or any adult with some authority, asks your child a question, let the child answer. Nothing worse than when I ask an athlete their height and weight and they either look at mom or dad for them to speak OR the child doesn’t even have the chance to speak before the parent chimes in. In doing this, it shows that the parent is overbearing and the athlete relies way too much on them. This is a red flag for a coach since they immediately begin to wonder if the athlete will be handle real life when mommy and daddy are not around. This one can completely crush your child’s recruit-ability, especially if you are looking at a school that isn’t located on the same block as the athlete’s home.
 
3. Be Supportive Mentally
This one shocks me, but it is a reality. Many parents simply aren’t supportive at all with their kids and can be downright negative. Very hard for an athlete to believe in themselves if their own parent doesn’t believe in them. You would be surprised at how much an athlete can improve PHYSICALLY when they are encouraged in a positive manner MENTALLY
 
If you feel this may just be you (little too negative at times), try the Oreo approach. Oreos are a simple food with two black cookies surrounding a frosting center. Think of the cookies as positive statements and the frosting as a negative one. Therefore, if your son didn’t have the greatest snap you would say “Your form is looking good. You had a bit of an issue with not getting your eyes all they way through, but that snap was definitely coming back quick!” You got your criticism in, but sandwiched it in between two positives. Trust me, it works and it works well. 
 
4. Don’t be overbearing 
You didn’t really think I would leave this one off the list did you?  If you want something and your kid doesn’t, it simply won’t work out. Going to college or the pros is a wonderful thing, but if both the athlete and the parent aren’t on board, it will never work out or be a train wreck if it does. It has to be a united front or the child will end up despising the parent and the sport. Any positive that once came from the sport will now be looked as a negative. Remember, it is just a game. Instead of really riding your kid before a game and stressing them out, how about just trying a simple phrase like “Have fun out there and try your hardest!”
 
Being overbearing doesn’t just pertain to parent and child. It can mean flat out harassing coaches, writers and recruiting services. There is very fine line between being persistent and being annoying. You cross it and your child could very easily be blackballed. If your child is that good, they will already know of them and won’t need to be told…over and over again.

To listen to this blog as a podcast, please go HERE_________________________________________________________________

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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119

Athletes and Dating

High School can be an amazing time for an athlete. They can experience the challenges of some difficult classes, bonding with teammates that will become great friends, playing under the “Friday night lights” and, finally, dating, and possibly, locking into a steady significant other.

Depending on your point of view, the last three words of the above paragraph can either put an enormous smile on your face or make you want to cringe and kick a butterfly. The whole “my son, who is a tremendous athlete, just got a girlfriend and……..” is as old as athletics itself. The issue is how to deal with it.

Now, there are two ways to look at this and I have spoken to coaches about it as well….

  1. One side can be excited for an athlete that locks into a significant other as it can control and tame them a bit. If you have a significant other, you are less likely to be hitting the streets raging with your friends and get into mischief that way. An athlete that is tied down tends to be a bit more subdued on the weekend and, therefore, can get into less trouble.
  2. The other side is not a fan of an athlete having a significant other as it usually means more drama. And, with more drama, comes more mental anguish. The last thing a coach wants is their prized recruit wondering what he did wrong and how he can fix it with his date. The coach wants you focused. And, to clarify, that means focus on school and football.
So, the issue for the athlete is whether or not to get a significant other?  Let’s be honest, it is going to happen. Athletes tend to not have too big of an issue obtaining dates. Not sure if it is the confidence, the dashing good looks, the potential for a ground breaking hug or the ability to be a party trick, but Long Snappers always seem to be with a date(s). Part of the job if you will. Therefore, it’s going to happen.

Then, the issue for the parents of said athletes is whether to let it (flock of dates/locking down to a significant other) happen or “attempt” to put the brakes on it with their parental powers.

 
I say let them experience life and do what they are going to do. Let them have fun. Let them see what the bad ones are like so they know how to hold on to the good ones. They may even be that one in a million case that ends up with their high school sweetheart. Bless their heart if they are and more power to them. Plus, if you (the parental figure) try to halt it, they will push back harder. Remember, you jumped from birth to parenting without going through the high school years so you don’t know what they are going through at this stage in their lives.
 
I may sound cold-hearted but it is reality and I have seen it countless times with my Long Snappers throughout the years so I am tad biased. Too many times I have seen this happen…
  • a phenomenal athlete locks into a significant other
  • said athlete “knows” it is the real thing
  • said athlete becomes obsessed with their partner
  • they end up letting it consume too much time in their lives
  • they become distracted from their studies, their sport and lose focus
  • they get passed up on the depth chart and continually make excuses as to why they aren’t playing more or at all. 
  • they graduate (sometimes they don’t)  and, for the rest of their lives, wonder what if?

Bottom line, you (the athlete) are young and you should go out and have some fun. Date, enjoy life, lock in if you feel the need BUT remember that unless that significant other is paying your way through college, you might have to cut the strings and live your own life a lot sooner than later.

Chris-Rubio-2

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 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 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.

1225

The Mentality of a Long Snapper

 

To be the best Long Snapper, you have to have several physical qualities that I have laid in a very clear fashion in a previous blog. It is straight-forward, easy to understand and, one would think, the obvious way to be the perfect Long Snapper. 
 
Not true.
 
More and more, I am seeing that being able to snap a ball really fast and accurate is great for being a “practice hero” but to be a true great one, you have to have the proper mentality of a Long Snapper. You have to have something I call “Lazy Confidence.”
 
“Lazy Confidence” is having an extreme amount of confidence in yourself, but, not needing it turned on continuously. Most football players listen to some pretty intense music prior to the game. I don’t believe a Long Snapper should. I believe they don’t need to be that hyped and, if they are, it would end up hurting them, their beautiful craft and their time in the game. Long Snappers with too much adrenaline often have the ball fly over the punter and/or holder. While a Long Snapper with too much rage, often has the ball go low or wobble since they grip too hard and hurt the ball. A Long Snapper must remain calm. Hold in their emotions. Dominate their feelings and know that they will be ready when their time comes in the game. A Long Snapper must ease into the game. Be relaxed, be calm. Have the confidence within themselves to KNOW they will do their job once their time has come. (In case you are wondering, this would be a song that I used to listen to prior to Sailer and I dominating)
 
I heard a college coach refer to Long Snappers as a sniper. That is beyond true. You sit, you wait, you have one job, one shot. You take your shot. You are done. You sit and wait again for your next shot. This is where “Lazy Confidence” comes in. Unlike a linebacker, who must be “on” throughout the whole game, a Long Snapper can have upwards of 40 minutes without even stepping on the field. You simply can’t have that much bravado flowing and heart pounding without doing something to release it. Hence, all other positions can be filled with rage and anger throughout the game as they always have another play waiting to release it. A Long Snapper  doesn’t.
 
A Long Snapper must bottle up their confidence, corral it, KNOW it is there and release it as they stroll on the field to dominate their one very specific job. They know they must approach the ball, grab the ball, look upside down and backwards, take a deep breath, start the beautiful chain of events called their form to create the snap. At this point, their confidence is exploding at the seems. A great Long Snapper KNOWS the process is going to run smoothly as they have harnessed all their confidence for this one particular moment.  They have a great snap, walk of the field and let it all build back up for that one particular play they will be back in the game. Could be in five minutes or it could be in an hour. Doesn’t matter. What does matter is their Lazy Confidence will peak at just the right time each and every snap.
 
Lazy Confidence is why I actually like to see my Long Snappers smile, have a good time and enjoy their time snapping. A great Long Snapper can be amongst friends at a camp, lesson or event and be jovial, yet still let their confidence peak as they approach the ball. The best Long Snappers have this ability. They have the skill level to be smiling and talking one second, to trying to put a ball through the punter the next. This is Lazy Confidence and I love when my Long Snappers achieve this status.
 
A great Long Snapper, with the perfect form AND with the right attitude, knows there is simply no way they can even have a bad snap, so there is no reason to even let it creep into their mind.

Click HERE to download and/or listen to this blog._________________________________________________________________

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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271

It’s Coming Back Around….

 

Age 1 – I’m a mover and a shaker. The world is mine and I will
experience it all.  NOW!

Age 2 –  I’m into everything and I’m starting to grasp it all…I think


Age 3 – You can’t catch me! The world is mine…and I’m getting there faster now

Age 4 – I know what I know. I know what’s mine is mine and what’s yours is mine.

Age 5 –  I’m about to start a new stage of my life

Age 6 – My body is beginning to change. Not sure what is happening.

Age 7 – I really don’t like girls, but I kinda want to be around them.

Age 8 – Starting to make some good friends.  I bet they will be around forever.

Age 9 – People are changing. Where do I fit in?

Age 10 – Times are changing. Where do I fit in?

Age 11 – Starting to make some good friends.  I bet they will be around forever.

Age 12 – I really don’t like girls, but I kinda want to be around them.

Age 13 – My body is beginning to change. Not sure what is happening.

Age 14 – I’m about to start a new stage of my life.

Age 15 – I know what I know. I know what’s mine is mine and what’s yours is mine.

Age 16 –  You can’t catch me! The world is mine…and I’m getting
there faster now

Age 17 – I’m into everything and I’m starting to grasp it all…I think

Age 18 – I’m a mover and a shaker. The world is mine and I will
experience it all.  NOW!

Happy High School graduation to my Long Snappers.

The world is yours but never forget how you started out in life. Not much has changed and everything ends up coming back around:)

Click HERE to have this blog read to you by me in a podcast_________________________________________________________________

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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36

I heard, I saw, I know

I heard oohs and ahhs at the pro demo when young Long Snappers saw the vets in action.

I heard parents wish their child luck as he was called for his group.

I heard camera shutters continuously clicking throughout the weekend.

I heard the clank of the finals round target when a ball just barely missed the chained hole.

I heard a siren go off on Sunday any time a new high score was hit

I saw Long Snappers from all around the country come together on one field to learn and compete.

I saw parents battle the heat and sit in any scrap of shade to support their son.

I saw Long Snappers fully embrace one another as long time friends, yet still be able to turn on their competitive side when they needed to.

I saw a Long Snapper, who got beat in one of the finals rounds, have his eyes swell up and become wet with tears immediately get a hug from his father who, perfectly, let his son know it wasn’t the end of the world.

I saw countless Long Snappers and families taking photos, creating memories and not wanting the moments to end.

I know many young Long Snappers were overwhelmed by the weekend and will dominate next time as they now know what to expect.

I know I will have some new 5 Star Long Snappers.

I know the TOP 12 & Event Elite camp will be absurd with the amount of talent that will be on hand.

I know that was the biggest and best Spring Event we have ever had.

I know we will be back to Vegas in just over seven months and the countdown begins now!

_________________________________________________________________

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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67

Two Trees

In the forest stand two trees. They are identical in shape, size and color. In no way, would you ever be able to differentiate between the two.

 
One day, one of the trees is cut down while the other is left standing. They are trees, so there is no emotion at this point for either of them.  One has been taken, while one has been left. They are trees.
 
The trees had lived identical lives up until this point. They shared the same sun, encountered the same winds, lived in the same soil and drank the same water. They were identical trees that lived the identical life. Now, they were about to be as different as possible.
 
The tree that was cut down was taken to a mini man made forest. People would come to admire the tree and it’s new counterparts. One by one, trees would be analyzed, touched, analyzed some more and then chosen by exuberant families. It was exciting but it didn’t stop the tree from beginning to feel weak. After all, it had been cut down and taken from it’s life source. It was no longer living. 
 
While this was occurring, the tree that was not cut was living it’s life in it’s home. Soaking up the sun, feeling the wind, drinking the water and spreading it’s roots among the soil. Everyday was the same. Everything remained as it always had. Nothing. Ever. Changed.
 
The cut down tree ended up in a house overflowing with excitement. It was getting weaker, but definitely fed off the energy. It was propped up, positioned just so, decorated with the utmost care, stared at for countless hours and even photographed with dozens and dozens of people. It would be remembered forever in photographs by the family that took it into to cherish for a month. It was Christmas time and this tree was the center of attention. It was on a pedestal. It was experiencing it’s fifteen minutes of fame. 
 
The tree that was not cut down continued to live it’s life. The same way it always had. Undisturbed. Unchanged. It lived. Nothing. Ever. Changed. Each day was exactly the same. 
 
The cut down tree was eventually disrobed, taken to the trash, forgotten about and gone. It was no longer around and only thought of when pictures were looked at every so often. It was gone. Done. Over.
 
The other tree lived in the same place, the same way, for a very long time. It never experienced anything new or exciting, but it lived. It’s life never altered, never any new experiences and no one will ever remember it and, it’s possible, no one will ever see it or even know it existed. But, it lived a very, very long time.
 
Now, I want you to think about the two trees as a person’s life. Your life to be exact. Would you rather be the tree that lives for a great deal of time, in the same situation where nothing ever changes but you are living OR would you rather be the tree that was absolutely adored, cherished and made the center of attention for a quick amount of time but’s life was cut short? They both definitely have their advantages and disadvantages. There is no correct answer. Everyone tends to see this one differently and has arguments for both sides.
 
Think about it. Live your life but make sure it is worth living and that you know what living actually means to you
 
By the way, I do know which tree I would prefer and, it is, undoubtedly, the …….. 🙂

(Click HERE to have me read you this blog)_________________________________________________________________

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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24

So, You’re an Over Thinker

Are you a Long Snapper? If you are reading this, the answer would tend to lean towards yes or you are someone that knows of one. Being a Long Snapper usually entails being smarter than the average (hence why you have chosen to be a Long Snapper) and over thinking even the most basic functions. 
 
People have told you over and over to stop thinking and just do what comes naturally to you. To let your form take over. If you have been taught properly (wink, wink…Rubio), this shouldn’t be an issue and you need to trust your body and let it do what it has been trained to do. 
 
All around you, people will tell you over and over to not over think things, but you are who you are and it just sort of happens. You tell them (coaches, parents, friends, teammates, even me) that you will stop analyzing every single little thing but, inevitably, you keep stressing. Talk is just talk. You must walk the walk. You must work countless hours the RIGHT way and not just work hard to establish the comfort of knowing you will dominate. 
 
Days ago, I put out a Twitter message (remember, I protest the word Tweet and this doesn’t count so shoosh) that was a Rubio Tip that read “snap the ball with your eyes closed throughout the entire process in practice. If you can do that, snapping with them open will be simple.” I used to do this all the time at UCLA to get myself comfortable and know how good I really was in the whole aspect of snapping. I figured, if I could do it with my eyes closed, doing it with my eyes open would be easy….and it was.
 
Extra snapping will not necessarily make you a better snapper or less of an over thinker. I believe it may cause the opposite. Snapping is not a hard process. Like I always say, we aren’t working for NASA or curing cancer. We are snapping a dead animal really fast backwards. This is not rocket science. Everyone can do it and do it well IF they work right, not just hard and, almost most importantly, simply just _________________ 🙂

……for the blank, take the second letter of the first word in each paragraph_________________________________________________________________

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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57

Social Media for Athletes: To Embrace or Not To Embrace

Today’s teen athletes are actually very similar to those in the past couple decades. They make good decisions and they make bad decisions. The difference is, now, those decisions are amplified a billion times and spread faster than anything the previous generations could even fathom. An athlete can make a slip up on a social media site and it can be shot around the world with a single click on a smart phone in less than a second.

So, the question arises….should an athlete be involved with social media?

My answer is….ABSOLUTELY….but they should be monitored!

There are several types of social media formats out there. However, I am going only going to discuss only the two head honchos at this point along with the goods and bads of each, for a soon-to-be college athlete.

Facebook and Twitter
– Obviously, Facebook is the big dog of the group but Twitter is gaining steam. Pretty much the entire student body of any high school and college has a Facebook account….and they should. It is a tremendous way to stay connected with one another. If you don’t have an account, I am not even going to explain it to you because you are not reading this and you are currently in a coma.


Facebook Positives
– Keeps people connected. You always get to see what people are up to regardless of geographic location. I live in Northern Idaho, but am easily connected with people in Los Angeles, Chicago, Lousiana, Georgia, Maryland…you get the point. Facebook is a tremendous way to keep up with people. I was speaking to some good friends of mine about how Facebook basically is going to wipe out the High School Reunion market. Why even go? Who doesn’t know what is happening with someone simply through their Facebook account?

Facebook Negatives – Imagine your high school hallway, add that group of really annoying girls/guys that are waaaaay too into themselves and amplify that all over the world. That is what Facebook can be. It is a drama-filled machine, if you let it be. The trick is not let yourself get involved. Don’t comment on someone’s post and you will not be involved. If you have a problem with someone, deal with them directly. Don’t just walk outside and scream it. That would be pointless….side note: that is what making a statement or subtweet (sent out to all, but directed at one) is actually doing. You are making yourself look worse than the person you are attempting to ridicule.

Twitter Positives – You can find out information INSTANTLY and you can spread information INSTANTLY. One click and it is gone, to anyone, in the world, that is following you.

Twitter Negatives – Again, y
ou can find out information INSTANTLY and you can spread information INSTANTLY. One click and it is gone, to anyone, in the world, that is following you. Therefore, you say something ignorant and press “tweet” it is out there. Even if you delete it later, someone will have it on their Twitter account.

Facebook Recruit Advantage
– Still pretty much under the radar from the NCAA so college coaches can use it to contact you without penalty. And, if they can’t, they can have assistants (people that work for the program but usually are not getting paid) contact you as somewhat of a “middle” man.

Facebook Recruit Disadvantage – You take a trip to a school or show some interest. Within a couple days, a beautiful student of that campus “friends” you on Facebook. You are amazed and almost break your keyboard clicking “accept!” Not to burst your bubble, but she doesn’t find you attractive…at all. She is on the athletic staff to “friend” you, then search through your account for any incriminating posts, messages, likes and especially photos. She will report everything you have done back to the coaches. Why don’t you take some time and go clean up your account now:)   Don’t want to or think I’m wrong? Check out this excerpt from an interview with Houston Head Coach Tony Levine (thanks M.F.)

Q: How  do coaches monitor social networks when it comes to recruiting? TL: “We monitor it for all of our recruits in more ways than one: position coaches, recruiting coaches, our recruiting coordinator, I do as well. Two things that come to mind: number one, if they’re taking other visits, it’s a great way to find out. When a kid posts a picture of himself at another school on a Saturday with a jersey on, you know he’s on a visit. The second thing is, what they’re posting. The same kid that we dropped because he took two other visits, on his Facebook page, and obviously I was friends with him — posted things nightly that we’re not looking for in our program”

Q: So a recruit can hurt himself by what he posts on his social media pages? TL: “Without question. And he did. In that respect, I think social media has changed (recruiting) for a number of reasons.”

Twitter Recruit Advantage – Still pretty much under the radar from the NCAA so college coaches can use it to contact you without penalty. And, if they can’t, they can have assistants (people that work for the program but usually are not getting paid) contact you as somewhat of a middle man. Easy way to follow your favorite coach or team and feel like you are part of them. Easy way to find other people in your situation, ie: Long Snappers.

Twitter Recruit Disadvantage Anything you say, anyone you follow and/or retweet represents you. You say something asinine, you look asinine. You follow morons, you look like a moron. You retweet something ignorant, you look ignorant. Remember, whatever you put out there, EVERYONE will see. Someone bad mouths your lady, speak to them directly. You post on Twitter and everyone sees it….NOW! You don’t look like a chivalrous man, you look like someone airing their dirty laundry and no one cares. 

Trust me, I get it, there are tons of VERY funny things out there that I would love to retweet, but I don’t…because I am using my brain. Have common sense. You may get the funny line from a movie or inside joke, but just stop and think if the older football coach might not. Even if there is the slightest possibility that something could go wrong with a message or someone could decipher it wrong, don’t do it!


Would I Let My Kid(s) Have an Account
– Yup, but as stated earlier, I would monitor it. It is the old theory of when a teen learns to drive. You are worried about how they will drive but almost more worried about the other drivers out there. Same difference here.

I would insist that I was their “friend” on Facebook or followed them on Twitter. If they put up a stink about that one because they are still at the “it isn’t cool to be friends with your parents on Facebook and/or Twitter,”  I would say “Ok. No problem. I won’t be your ‘friend’ on Facebook or follow you on Twitter, but then I have to have your accounts password to make sure everything is Ok.” If they still rage, then it is simple. They lose their computer, cell phone or any other way they can access their Facebook and/or Twitter account. You most likely bought them and/or pay their bills (yup, electricity counts) so the upper hand is yours.

Parents, I repeat, you have the upper hand AND you are just trying to help your child for the future. If they don’t get that, there isn’t much they will get.

_________________________________________________________________

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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182

Not Again

(Click HERE to listen to this blog as a podcast)


No.

Not again. Please. Not again. Please. Please. Please. Not again. Stop. Pleeeeease.

Please stop looking at me like that. Look away. Please. Back up. Stop walking towards me. Come on seriously. Stop. Enough! Back up. That’s enough. You are scaring me. I am not doing this again. BACK UP!

Put your hand away. Not again. Please no! Don’t grab me so hard. Ouch!

Not the other one, too. Oh wait, this is the one I like. Go ahead. I actually like how gentile you are with this one. Why can’t the other one be so nice to me?

Wait. Can’t we just stop right here? Please. Come on. Please!

Don’t look at me. Please stop looking at me like that. Please. I know what happens after you look at me. I am not ready. I can hear you breathing. I can see your chest going up and down. Just let me be. Why are you squeezing me? What are you looking at back there? Not again. I am not ready for this. I never am. Stop. Please.

Oh no. It is coming. I know it. I feel it. STOP!!! PLEASE!!! I hate not knowing when this all starts. It is about to happen. I know it. It’s coming. Stop. I am not ready. Stop. I am not ready. Please, please don’t. Just let me lay here. Please. PLEASE! I am not……….

POOOOOOOF! down, side, up, side, down, side, up, side, down, I HATE THIS, side, up, side, downup, side, down, Why couldn’t you just be nice and hold me? side, up, side, down, up, side, down, up, side, I’m getting sick. I hate that you do this to me,  down, up, side, down, up, side, down, side, up, side, I am going to throw up, down, side, up, side, down, I see them, side, up, side, down, they are getting closer, side, up, side, down, closer, closer, side, up, side, down, side, up, closer, closer, closer, side, down, side, here it comes, I ABSOLUTELY HATE THIS PART, up, side, down, side……

SMACK!!!!!

It’s over.

Please let me be. I can’t do it again. Please give me a break. Just lay me down and let me be. Please.

Wait. Not you, too! Come on. PLEASE. I can’t do it again. No. Noooooooo.

I absolutely hate being a football for Rubio’s Long Snappers! 🙂

_________________________________________________________________

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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488

Rewind

Right when you released the ball, you knew it was bad. The worst thing that could have happened, happened. You launched the ball over the punter’s head to give the other team a safety, the victory, and the state championship, as time expired on the clock. Your heart was pounding. The team was looking at you. You felt as though every single set of eyes on the home side bleachers was piercing your skin. You attempted to not look up. You had one job and you didn’t do it. You failed. Your team lost. All….eyes….were….on….you….

Rewind 15 minutes….

The crowd looks great. It was a huge game for the school and the city. Everyone was there. The usual spot where all the good looking girls hung out was overflowing. A couple times during the night, you had actually made eye-contact with some of the finer ones. It was a good night. Football was secondary at this point and long snapping was even lower on the list. The game would take care of itself. No need to stay focused, loose or get some snaps in. You knew what to do. It was just snapping. You are, as people reminded you, only the long snapper.

Rewind 20 hours…..

Nothing like a meeting of the minds on the night before the biggest game of the year. By “meeting of the minds” everyone knew it meant a get together at a buddies house. By “get together” everyone knew it meant house party turning into a full blow out! You were just going to stay a bit. Ride the wave of excitement and popularity one gets from being a member of the top team in the land. It didn’t matter that you were just a long snapper. You were a member of the team and would be wearing a championship ring after your team won the next night. All was great. You would stay a bit longer. No worries. You were just the long snapper. The season was in cruise control. It was ok to stay out later. You are just the long snapper. It won’t come down to you. The game, championship and rings are a lock. No worries.

Rewind 30 days….

Your coach actually believed that you were going to go in to watch some film and get some drill work in. What an idiot! Seriously, who watches film on just a long snapper or really does drills to get better? Like it is hard or something. You bend over, grab the ball, look back and throw the ball. Anyone could do it and you were the best on the team so what was the worry? There was none. Nothing could go wrong.

Rewind two months….

You just weren’t feeling it yesterday. It was your first Rubio Long Snapping camp and it was a bit overwhelming. There was some excellent long snappers there. Guys that had been to many of Rubio’s camps and listened to his every word. Even the parents were involved. You had been to other guy’s camps but this was night and day different. Everyone was involved. The guy talked about Long Snapping like it was the greatest thing in the world. Didn’t this guy know it was just long snapping? Didn’t he get that anyone could do it? All of the drills were actually pretty amazing and got the job done, but who needs those? It is just long snapping and what could go wrong? This Rubio guy needs to relax. You don’t need to listen to him. What does he know? It is just long snapping! What could go wrong?

(Click HERE to listen to this blog as a podcast)

_________________________________________________________________

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.

Rubio_Card_frontMAGNET

28

How Recruiting is Like the Prom

Year in and year out, I go through a lot of recruiting. My job makes me a bit of a middleman, so I get to hear all sides. I see and hear an absolute ton of information from the coaches, the parents, sports writers and the athletes. At times, it is almost bizarre. I have essentially gone through the recruiting process well over a 1,000 times. Think about it….say a Long Snapper gets recruited by about five to ten different schools, now say this happens to an average of about fifty Long Snappers per year, over ten years and it can really add up. Bottom line, I am more and more beginning to know about what recruiting is really like and I have come to the conclusion that it is just like the prom!

Let me explain…..

1. The first offer always means the most –  True at the prom and true in recruiting
–  A person, well a Long Snapper, might get asked many times to be someone’s date to the prom but they can only choose one. Many a time, they go with the first person that asked because they simply were the first that took a chance on them and saw what others didn’t. 
– The college that offers first, usually make a huge statement with an athlete. The athlete looks at them in favor because said college took a chance on them in the beginning when no one else would. They saw first what others took awhile to see.  A first offer always sits well and in favor, in an athletes, and their parent’s heart. I have witnessed many an athlete commit to their first offer even after much “bigger” schools came knocking at the door. 


2. Once one asks, usually others will follow – 
True for the prom and true in recruiting.
– 
A person waits and waits to be asked to the prom (not Long Snappers of course), someone asks, you are all pumped and then, boom, more offers come in, or you find out that others are about to ask you. What to do, what to do? Odds are you end up going with your first offer since they took a chance on you when others would not. 
– This is easily one of the most common things in recruiting. It is rare, very rare, that a top athlete gets one, and only one, offer. I seriously think schools simply wait, watch, see what happens and then just offer the same guy because others did it and they don’t want to be the ones that didn’t. This is so common that I have actually read articles from sports writers stating, “_________ was just offered by ___________, so you can fully expect _____, _____ and _____ to offer within a couple days.”


3. So much depends on how you are dressed – 
True for the prom and true in recruiting.
Dress like a slob and you will end up with a slob. Dress for success and you will end up with success. This is so true for the prom. Dress appropriately prior to the prom and you will be going with the right person, you will look like a stallion and the photos will turn out great at the prom. Dress like a slacker (forgive me, just saw Back to the Future again) and you will be rolling with a slacker. Like I always say, you are who you hang out with.
– 
Now, I am not saying on a recruiting trip (official or non-official) that you have to be dressed in a three piece suit, but have some common sense. Wear some good clothing that is clean and makes you look the part (THIS blog might help to refresh your memory). Dress appropriately when you are on your visits and you will immediately impress the coaches.

4. Wait too long and your offer is gone – True for the prom and true in recruiting.
Someone asks you to prom. You are pumped. You, unless they are your permanent significant other, usually will tell them “thank you so much and I just have to check some things” before you answer them. Standard and you should do that. You will need to check cost, times, approval from parents/guardians (yes, you will). Issue: if you wait too long, the person that asked you is going to get nervous and go someplace else and, inevitably, with someone else.
– Same thing happens with a college. They throw an offer your way, whether it is a full ride or a preferred walk-on, and they want an answer….sooner than later. Some schools will give you a timeline, “We need an answer within one week”, while others leave it open-ended. Think about it though, if you were the school would you wait around for the answer and hope for a positive one or would you continue to recruit? You wait too long and your offer is gone.


5. Sometimes it isn’t what you expect, but if you embrace once you get there, it always turns out great
True for the prom and true in recruiting and beyond.
I have talked down many an athlete from transferring because they weren’t at “the right place for them” or their college was “not what they expected.” Recruiting is a wild journey and it takes a long time and a lot of thought. If you went through all the proper steps and really made your decision based on solid factors, you can’t go wrong with your decision.

When you finally do make your decision and are at your school of choice, things will be difficult. They are for everyone. Anyone that says they were a thousand percent happy in college from the get-go is a flat out liar. Everyone has issues. It is a big change. Huge. But everyone goes through it and has done it. The trick is to stick it out. Understand what is really happening. College is more about the people than what you are learning. It is figuring out that it isn’t what you know, it is who you know and how well you know them. The same exact thing is true for prom. You may not want to go, but once you go and fully embrace, you end up having a great time with memories to last a lifetime….kinda like college:)

_________________________________________________________________

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.

336

Meet The TOP 12

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 and smart as you did to make it. 
 
The TOP 12 Long Snappers of January will be listed below. 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 and feel free to click on their name for the profile page from the website.

Name:  Matthew Boggs                            

School:  Benton High School       
Grad Year:  2013
Ht:  6’1”
Wt:  200
GPA:  4.0
SAT/ACT:  27 ACT, SAT to be taken
Top 5 College Choices:
1.     TCU
2.     Vanderbilt
3.     Rice
4.     Baylor
5.     Tulane
Hobbies:  Hunting, fishing, and water sports.
Other sports in high school:  Tennis (sophomore, junior), basketball (freshman, sophomore), track (freshman)
Favorite food:  Lasagna
Favorite movie:  Shooter
Favorite inspirational quote: 
“It’s not the will to win, but the will to prepare that makes the difference” – Bear Bryant
If you could have dinner with one person who would it be and why?
Benjamin Franklin because he was influential in the United States’ creation, and he created many unique inventions that have helped shape the world today.
What makes you the best long snapper in the country?
I believe that my work ethic makes me the best Long Snapper in the country.  I am a big believer in the saying, “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”  To me, this quote means you can be better than someone by outworking them, which I try to do.  I believe that my dedication and hard work puts me ahead of everyone else.
What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know about?
I am a history enthusiast.  I enjoy going to museums, watching documentaries, and reading about history.
 
 
Name: Reed Buce
School: Centennial High School (Peoria, AZ)
Grad Year: 2013
Ht: 6’1
Wt: 240
GPA: 3.71
SAT/ACT: Scheduled for March.
Top 5 College Choices:
    1. UCLA
    2. ASU
    3. Oregon St.
    4. Alabama
    5. Oregon
Hobbies (name only three please):
Snow boarding, Hunting, Drawing 
Other sports you play in HS:
  None
Favorite Food:
 Im a long snapper they are all my favorite. (pizza)
Favorite Movie:
 Tommy Boy
Favorite Inspirational Quote:
 Don’t let someones perspective become your reality. 
If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
 Lance Armstrong, that man has the drive that no one else on this earth has. He’s dealt with mounds of adversity and has blown through them as if they didn’t exist, I want to know his story and what was going on through his mind when things weren’t going his way.
What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country?
  Plain and simple, I put in the work. First one in, last one out, that’s always the way I’ve been. I compete against myself and strive to be better every single day. I set goals and will sacrifice everything to obtain what I want. 
What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know about?

  I’ve always wanted to be a dentist.

 

 
Name: Matthew Cota
School: Eagle High School
Graduation Year: 2013
HT: 6’2″
WT: 215
GPA: 3.750
ACT/ SAT: Will be taking the SAT in April 2012
TOP FIVE COLLEGE:
1. Boise State
2. Oklahoma State
3. University of Wyoming
4. Washington State
5. Arizona State
HOBBIES
– fishing/ hunting
– snow boarding
– paintballing
OTHER SPORTS
– Track and Field
– Lacrosse
FAVORITE FOOD
Anything BBQ
FAVORITE MOVIE
Tie between The Fighter and The Eagle
FAVORITE QUOTE
“We do not take counsel of our fears, our naysayers or the unknown.” – Chris Peterson Boise State Head Football Coach
DINNER WITH WHO AND WHY
I would have dinner with Georges St. Pierre. He is a mix martial artist who is very mentaly strong. I would like to have dinner with him to ask him how he gets his mind right before a competition.
WHAT MAKES ME THE BEST LONG SNAPPER IN THE NATION
I am the best long snapper in the nation because of my excellent work ethic and my ability to overcome adversity. I have never or never will leave my practice regiment with a bad snap.
MY UNIQUE QUALITY
I Raced Go-Karts competitively for 7 years and won many championships.
 
 
 
– Orange Lutheran High School
– 2013
– Ht: 6’4
– Wt: 180
– GPA: 3.7
– SAT: taking it in March of 2012
– Top 5 College Choices: 1. Oregon 2. Texas 3. USC 4. Colorado Boulder 5. Arizona
– Hobbies: going to the beach with friends, watching movies, playing football
– Other sports played in HS: Volleyball
– Favorite Food: Filet Mignon
– Favorite Movie: Stepbrothers
Favorite Quote: “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
– Dinner with one person and why: I would have dinner with George Washington because I think that he was the best president we have had run this country and he set the bar for every other president to follow.
– I believe that I am the best long snapper in the country because I work very hard and I am always trying to improve my snapping technique, I am also a very coachable player.

– One unique thing: I have an identical twin brother, him and I are almost exactly the same.

 

School:  Blessed Trinity High School
Grad Year: 2013
Ht:  5’11
Wt:   225
GPA: overall    3.2
SAT/ACT:  Taking it March 10
Top 5 College Choices:
    1. Alabama
    2. Vanderbilt
    3. Ole Miss
    4. Auburn
    5. Appalachian State
Hobbies (name only three please): Fishing, Golf, Weightlifting
Other sports you play in HS:  None  
Favorite Food: Chicken Parmesan
Favorite Movie: Saving Private Ryan
Favorite Inspirational Quote: “First, I prepare. Then, I have faith.” – Joe Namath
If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
I would like to have dinner with Bear Bryant to learn more about the character traits that led to his success as a football coach.  I’m interested in his ability to motivate others while teaching them self-discipline, his perseverance in preparing the team physically and mentally, and how he balanced being a really tough coach with being a kind and generous man.   
What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country? My ability to snap under pressure and to snap consistently are what make me the best long snapper in the country.
What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know about? I have the perfect snapping partner – my identical twin brother is a punter and a holder.
School: Pinnacle High School
Grad Year: 2013
Ht: 6ft
Wt: 225
GPA: 3.41
SAT/ACT: January 28th, 2012
Top 5 College Choices: 
    1. Wisconsin
    2. Oklahoma
    3. Mississippi
    4. Arizona
    5. Duke
Hobbies (name only three please): Working out, long snapping,
Other sports you play in HS: None
Favorite Food: Italian
Favorite Movie: Valkyrie
Favorite Inspirational Quote: “Success is getting up one more time then your knocked down”
If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Abe Lincoln because he stayed on course and never wavered. 
What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country?
No one out works me. I do not fold under pressure. And even on my worst days I deliver.
What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know about?

I have owned multiple businesses.

 

School: Liberty High School
Grad Year: 2013
Ht: 6’1
Wt: 240
GPA: overall 3.6
SAT/ACT: Took it Saturday January 28
Top 5 College Choices:
    1. Alabama 
    2. Oregon
    3. Georgia
    4. Tennessee 
    5. Washington
Hobbies (name only three please): playing basketball with friends, hanging out with friends, and working out. 
Other sports you play in HS: none 
Favorite Food: authentic Italian food
Favorite Movie: Friday Night Lights
Favorite Inspirational Quote: “Ability can take you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.”
If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why? I would want to have dinner with Seth Rogan because he is the funniest actor I know and I love to be around people who can make me laugh really hard. 
What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country? I work harder and smarter then any other person out there and I want to be the best more then any other person out there. 
What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know about? I like to volunteer at the homeless center because it keeps me humble and makes me appreciate what I have. 
 
Name:  Gabriel Miller
School:  Penn High School
Grad Year:  2013
Ht: 6′ 1″
Wt: 240
GPA: 3.875
SAT/ACT: 1540  (I will be taking it again at the end of my Junior year)
Top 5 College Choices:
1. Boston College
2. Alabama
3. Virginia Tech
4. Illinois
5. Vanderbilt
Hobbies: Weight lifting, Running, Spending time with my family
Other sports you play in HS: Wrestling, track, and I also run with the Cross Country team during the summer.
Favorite Food: Barbecue Ribs
Favorite Movie: Remember the Titans
Favorite Inspirational Quote: “Winning is not a some time thing it is an all the time thing.  You don’t do things right once in a while… you do them right all the time.”  Vince Lombardi
If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?  Vince Lombardi – I would like to listen to all of his great stories and gain some knowledge from the greatest football coach of all time.
What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country?  I am the best long snapper in the country because of my focus, drive, confidence and determination.  I have the discipline, passion, mental toughness,  and spirit to outwork everyone.  I have the will to excel and the will to win.  

What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know about?  My name is Gabriel, which means God is my might, and Hero of God.  I try to live up to this in every aspect of my life.  I hope that when people see me, and everything that I represent, they will see that I am different.  I don’t just follow the crowd, I am a leader.

 

 
 
School: Cathedral High School of Indianapolis Indiana
Grad Year: 2013
Ht: 6’1″
Wt: 245
GPA: 3.0
SAT/ACT: Not yet taken
Top 5 College Choices:
1. Michigan
2. Penn State
3.West Virginia
4.Georgia Tech
5.Purdue
Hobbies (name only three please): Weight Training, listening to music, and long snapping
Other sports you play in HS: none
Favorite Food: Spaghetti
Favorite Movie: Transformers 2
Favorite Inspirational Quote: Everything is okay in the end, if it’s not ok, it’s not the end.
If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why? President Obama. We need to talk.
What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country? My size, strength, my consistantly accurate ball, my quick hands, and my blocking ability.
What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know about? I only wear one contact (Sharp-Shooter Swag)
 
 
School: Whitefish Bay High School 
Grad Year: 2013
Ht: 6’1’’
Wt: 230 lbs.
GPA: 3.824
SAT/ACT: SAT- March, ACT- April
Top 5 College Choices:
    1. Harvard
    2. Yale
    3. Stanford           
    4. Wisconsin
    5. Washington University St. Louis
Hobbies (name only three please): Reading, weightlifting, playing Clarinet
Other sports you play in HS: track and baseball
Favorite Food: Steak Frites with Béarnaise sauce
Favorite Movie: Young Frankenstein
Favorite Inspirational Quote: What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us. And when we bring what is within us out into the world, miracles happen. 
If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why? If I could have dinner with one person it would be Albert Einstein because of his contributions to the world of modern physics, theory of general relativity and the photoelectric effect during a chaotic time in the world.
What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country? Everyone in the Top 12 can long snap with accuracy and consistency.   What differentiates me from the others is that I best exemplify the student athlete.  I am currently enrolled in AP Biology, AP American History and am registered for four AP classes next semester including English, French, Chemistry and Calculus.  I take care of business in the classroom and on the field.

What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know about? I Irish danced competitively for several years and medaled at the Mid American Championships.

 

Marquette Academy
Ottawa, IL
2013
6’1″
225 
3.3 GPA
ACT– will take in April 2012
Top 5 Colleges
1. Michigan
2. Iowa
3. Tenneesee
4. Nebraska
5. Western Michigan
Hobbies: working out, traveling, being with friends and family
Food: Lasagna
Movie: Miracle On Ice
Quote: “Hard work beats talent, when talent doesnt work hard.” 
Dinner with one person: My grandma. She never had the chance to see snap. Also she loved Vegas.
Why am I the best Long Snapper in the country: I continue to train and improve every day.  I realize that long snapping is a selfless position.  It requires self- motivation and dedication.  I work countless hours on my snapping technique.  In college, I know how special it is to have the opportunity to be a long snapper.  Most times, during practice, we are left alone to practice while the rest of the team goes through their offensive and defensive practice.  I understand this responsibility and embrace it.  I will be the hardest worker on the team.

What is one unique quality about myself: I have dedicated myself to training.  During the week, I snap at 5:15am at Off the Bench (an indoor training center in Ottawa, IL) for 45 minutes.  After school, I drive 50 miles, each way and work out 60-90 minutes at Extreme Speed.  Extreme Speed is an elite training center owned and operated by 2 former College/NFL players, Tavian Banks and Kevin Kasper.

 

School: Arcadia High School
Grad Year: 2013
Ht: 6′ 2″
Wt: 240
GPA: 3.1
SAT/ACT: have not recieved results yet
Top 5 College Choices:
   1. Miami FL
   2. TCU
   3. Baylor
   4. Oregon
   5. Nebraska
Hobbies (name only three please): ping pong, teaching my dogs tricks,
online shopping
Other sports you play in HS: used to play basketball but quit to focus
on long snapping
Favorite Food: fish tacos
Favorite Movie: Step Brothers
Favorite Inspirational Quote: I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my
career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to
take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and
over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.
If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it
be and why? Ghandi, we would talk about his mind set and inner
strength when he was going through all the hate
What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country? consistency and
dedication to long snapping. all the friday nights and weekends i have
missed for training and competitions is completely
What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know

about? i collect shoes and watches_________________________________________________________________

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.

Rubio_Card_frontMAGNET

426

Dear Vegas,

Dear Vegas,
 
I just wanted to send you a quick note to thank you for your hospitality this weekend. I know you have a lot going on with concerts, conventions and shows but I really don’t think you truly understand what occurred within the last 96 hours. Allow me to explain….
 
You housed the largest Long Snapping Event that the world has ever encountered. That’s right, you had over 160 Long Snappers representing almost 40 states, two countries and ranging in ages from 13 to 20 in your city on Saturday and Sunday. They all came to your city to learn and compete against one another. I am pretty confident you noticed who they were as they tend to spend more time upside down than right side up and often can snap a ball faster than they can actually throw it the “normal” way. I also heard that many fully embraced your 24 hour buffet pass (great idea by the way), several were spotted actually stopping traffic with an impromptu flash mob and one Long Snapper with a plethora of personality actually proposed to a random woman! Given, she said yes as she obviously knew Long Snappers are a handsome bunch with hearts of gold. (breathe parents, the proposal, although actually acted out, was just a joke by the Long Snapper).
 
It was truly a tremendous weekend with several firsts. For the first time, there was a Long Snapper that stood closer to 7′ tall than 6′. He was a fine young man that ended up winning the whole event. For the first time, I had two high school Long Snappers snap a ball 15 yards under .60 seconds! I know your city is used to seeing amazing things, but let me explain just how rare that is…..really, really rare:) Even more impressive, one of the Long Snappers is just a junior! For the first time, there was 13 college and pro instructors (usual number is 6-9) that were outstanding in all aspects and made my job a lot easier.
 
With all the staggering numbers, you would think the actual snapping was the top “thing” of the weekend. Hardly. As you probably noticed, I had my sunglasses on for a heavy majority of the weekend. Two reasons: 1) my eyes are very sensitive to light and 2) I don’t want anyone to know where I am actually looking. In being hidden with my viewing, I was able to spy out many things. I saw great snaps from all over the field (given). I saw push up bets with participants and instructors about getting perfect laces on pats. I saw Long Snappers fully embracing one another when seeing each other for the first time after a long hiatus. I saw parents catching up with old friends that they have met through the Long Snapping world. I saw parents holding their breath while their son was testing on The Target. I saw veteran Long Snappers ooze with confidence. I saw college and pro Long Snappers go from being shy about the pro demo to fighting over reps. I saw two thirds of The Triplets telling stories and sporting, shockingly, all black. I saw, and continue to see, Facebook and Twitter literally blowing up with updates from your city. I saw countless texts from college Long Snappers who wished they were back in your city for this Event. 
 
The final thing I saw was the most powerful. I saw parents and Long Snappers not wanting to leave when the weekend was over. I stood back. Watched. Observed. Tons of Long Snappers and parents congregating on the field well after the last ball was snapped trying to find an excuse to not leave. It was like a party that you simply didn’t want to end. I loved it. My heart was full.
 
As I write this, I almost get a bit sad thinking that the weekend is over and we must move on. But, then I stop and realize we will do it all again soon. 
 
See you in May, Vegas! You have fair warning. Be ready for the Long Snappers. They are a unique group………and they don’t like it too hot, so see if you can work on that for them:)
 
With Much Appreciation, 
 
Rubio

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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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