Taking the long view of long-snapping

This article was originally posted in the Lewiston Tribune, on Tuesday, December 11th. I was given permission by the editor to cut and paste, so now you can embrace:)

By THEO LAWSON OF THE TRIBUNE

When Chris Rubio considered the idea of forgoing his middle-school teaching profession to teach something that would offer him less initial job security and financial support, he thought long and hard.

Instead of educating 12- and 13-year-olds about the events of the Civil War, he would be instructing them in the fine art of long-snapping, one of football’s most unfamiliar and underrated skills.

That decision, still one Rubio reminisces about, undoubtedly paid off.

The Mr. Rubio who once taught junior-high history and English in Southern California is now Chris Rubio, long-snapping guru.

In a recent speech he gave at Lewis-Clark State College, Rubio voiced the motive that led him to managing a nationally renowned long-snapping “fraternity,” as the expert labels it.

“If I was in that class at 18 or 19 and said, ‘I’m going to start a long-snapping company and I’m going to teach people how to snap a ball 15 yards really, really fast and I’m going to get rid of my teaching job which has good union, good salary, good insurance. And I’m going to throw it all away and let it ride on this,’ I would’ve flunked myself.”

Based in Lewiston, Rubio Long Snapping has become a national brand. Such a national brand that the National High School Player of the Year awards banquet has dedicated the Herbalife 24 Chris Rubio Award in his name. The award annually recognizes the nation’s elite high-school long-snapper.

To add to his reputation, both starting long-snappers that will feature in the forthcoming BCS national championship game between Alabama and Notre Dame were Rubio-taught.

The teacher-turned-snapping expert is debating on whether to attend the national championship game, but if he does, two of the nation’s most historic programs colliding on college football’s most prestigious stage won’t mesmerize Rubio.

Even before a back injury derailed any hope of snapping professionally, Rubio claimed he wasn’t very “footbally” and for the specialist who has worked with five active NFL snappers, that hasn’t changed.

“Even to this day, I’ll ‘TiVo’ some games that have my snappers in them just so I can fast forward to see them. I could care less who wins and loses. I watch a little more football than I used to,” he said.

Rubio is part of a select group of position coaches invited to instruct high-school players at annual camps staged by the nation’s most decorated programs – Oregon, Alabama and LSU, to name a few.

His first experience at LSU was eye-opening, Rubio recalls.

“I remember the first time I went to LSU six years ago or something like that, they were giving us a tour of their facilities and the trophy room and I’m looking and I go, ‘Wow this is a lot of trophies, this is pretty big time.’ And my buddy goes, ‘You know they won the national championship three months ago, right?’ And I go, ‘I had no idea.’ ”

Ironically enough, Les Miles’ program at LSU has picked up a Rubio long-snapper twice in the past three years.

Since 2001, when Rubio received an invitation to assist his former UCLA teammate Chris Sailer at a kicker/punter-specific camp in Las Vegas, the ex-Bruin long-snapper has now instructed more than 175 players.

This year alone, 75 Rubio-trained snappers have either received scholarships or walked on to play football at the collegiate level. The topanked snapper in Rubio’s 2013 class, Cole Mazza, is poised to become the first player ever at his position to receive a scholarship from Alabama’s Nick Saban.

The accolades keep building up for Rubio, yet his prestige and reputation amongst the long-snapping fraternity haven’t outweighed the lives he’s touched, from a nonfootball standpoint.

One of those lives is that of ex-Kansas long-snapper Tanner Gibas, who is more familiar with Chris Rubio the man than Chris Rubio the long-snapping expert.

A product of Rubio Long Snapping and a native of Rubio’s hometown in Covina, Calif., Gibas still works side-by-side with his former middle-school teacher, but not necessarily from a long-snapping perspective.

Rubio’s background is one that few are familiar with. Gibas, 19, has known Rubio for 15 years and felt that his longtime coach’s life story, in addition to his long-snapping business, was something that could be best portrayed through film.

A film studies major at the University of Kansas where he formerly served as the Jayhawks’ starting snapper, Gibas is making a film entitled “The Rubio Project” that is expected to reach various film festivals by May 2014.

“When I first originally thought about doing this, everyone obviously wants to see the long-snapping coach Chris Rubio because he’s doing a remarkable thing,” Gibas said. “And then I thought this needs to be more about him and who he is as a person and how that has shaped him to be the man that he is today.”

While Rubio has sent Tanner and his brother Corey (formerly of Texas A&M) to college to long-snap, Tanner Gibas has been more appreciative of the lessons that don’t involve a pigskin and a football field.

“I think the biggest thing he’s taught me is confidence, whether that’s through life or long-snapping. As long as you know you can do it, you usually end up doing it through the power of confidence,” Gibas said.

And of course the film will highlight the prestige Rubio has gained as the nation’s No. 1 long-snapping instructor – how he’s influenced the evolution of a position that didn’t offer full college scholarships not that long ago.

With the growth of his business, Rubio has raised awareness amongst college coaches who are now eager to recruit the perfect snapper. As more and more games rely on last-ditch field goals, the demand for long-snappers has seen an exponential increase.

Matt Fortin, the starting long-snapper for the University of Virginia, credits a vast majority of that to the exposure Rubio has given to the position.

“I didn’t ever think it would get this big . I think it really was Rubio growing his business and marketing it, showing coaches how important specialists are,” Fortin said. “Even at the professional level how many games come down to field goals and you want a guy who you know is going to get the job done?”

Now an assistant to Rubio Long Snapping, Fortin appeared in all 12 of Virginia’s 2012 games and snapped on every field-goal attempt and punt.

The recruiting process didn’t go so swimmingly for Fortin, who at 5-feet-9 is classified as undersized in the long-snapping world.

“The biggest thing for me was my size . The special-teams coach (at Virginia) called Rubio and Rubio was kind of the one that gave him word that I could compete at the next level, so Virginia took a shot at me with my size,” Fortin said.

Rubio’s inspiration isn’t limited to the long-snappers he’s taken in. Players, parents and filmmakers have contributed to “The Rubio Project,” and 123 donors have given $22,110, which will help fund the production and shooting of the documentary.

The support Rubio has received still leaves him in awe.

“There’s one parent, her kid is a sixth-grader, they’ve been to two camps . She donated $1,000,” he said.

The man who has instructed hundreds of the nation’s elite long-snappers since 2001 lives a reserved life in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley, an area he appreciates for its serenity and natural beauty.

The million-dollar question that he receives more frequently than any other, “Why Lewiston?” is one that he guarantees will be answered in “The Rubio Project.”

But the Southern California native still has one wish – to live in an even less populated area.

 

Lawson may be contacted at sports@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2268.

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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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Rubio Long Snapper Evan Jacobsen of New Mexico chosen for the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl!

Long, and I mean long, time Rubio Long Snapper Evan Jacobsen of New Mexico has been chosen to play in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl in Los Angeles on January 19th!

This bowl will give “100 NFL prospects the opportunity to showcase their talent in front of 25,000 football fans. Former NFL coaches and players unite to engage and educate top players”

Evan has been with Rubio Long Snapping since 2007 and finished his high school career as the #1 Long Snapper for his class. He is a terrific Long Snapper that exerts a ton of energy on each snap.

_________________________________________________________________

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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If you are a kicker that does an interview….

and doesn’t immediately, AND continuously, praise your Long Snapper throughout the interview, you should be forced to take 25 snaps from your Long Snapper…
at no more than 5 yards away…
with your hands behind your back…
while blind folded…
with gale force winds increasing the speed…
in the cold!!

That is all:)

_________________________________________________________________

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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51

2012 Herbalife 24 High School Football Awards

This past weekend was the Herbalife 24 Chris Sailer and Chris Rubio Awards for top high school Placekicker and Long Snapper. Three kickers and three long snappers were brought into L.A. Live for the awards show. The three finalists for the Chris Sailer Award for top Placekicker were Austin Rehkow (WA, ’13), Kevin Robledo (CA, ’15) and Wyatt Schmidt (MN, ’13). The three finalists for the Chris Rubio Award for top Long Snapper were Cole Mazza (CA, ’13), Gabriel Miller (IN, ’13) and Scott Sypniewski (IL, ’13).

Wyatt Schmidt & Cole MazzaThe weekend started off with the finalists that were flown into LAX being picked up in limos and driven to the JW Marriott. Once there, they, and a guest of their choice, relaxed in their rooms and waited for dinner at the ESPN Zone. The first night’s dinner was casual with everyone getting to know one another and to finally see the trophies they worked so hard to hopefully take home the next day.

Saturday started off with a breakfast at the Herbalife building with a presentation on nutrition and supplements. Following the breakfast, the finalists, along with Chris Sailer and Chris Rubio, were driven in a limo to Saddle Ranch restaurant on Sunset Blvd. Needless to say, they ate and ate and ate some more. At 6:00 pm, the Awards show officially started in the Herbalife building at L.A. Live. Everyone in attendance was formally dressed, looking sharp as the tension filled the air.

Master of Ceremonies Wayne Cook of Fox Sports West did a tremendous job as he brought up guest speakers and conducted interviews with the finalists on stage. After much adieu, the winner of the Chris Rubio Award for top high school Long Snapper in the country was presented to Cole Mazza and the winner of the top high school Placekicker in the country was presented to Wyatt Schmidt!

_________________________________________________________________

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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Rubio Long Snapper Trey Lamastus commits to the University of Alabama at Birmingham!

Long time Rubio Long Snapper and TOP 12er Trey Lamastus (LA, ’13) has committed to the UAB as a preferred walk-on!

Lamastus is known for his incredible drive, always improving and terrific flowing hair. He is built well, has a solid frame and is expected to start his first year on campus.

When I was notified of his commitment, Lamastus said to me “Thank you for everything. Without you I wouldn’t even know how to pick up a ball. Thanks Rubio. Really wouldn’t know where I’d be without you right now. Not even as a snapper but a person also. You’ve always been there for me!!”

Love it…absolutely love it!

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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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118

Rubio Long Snapper Daniel LaMontagne picks up Award

Long time Rubio Long Snapper Daniel LaMontagne of Furman University has been named to the All-Freshman Team for the Southern Conference! This is a massive honor and couldn’t happen to a better person.

LaMontagne has been with Rubio Long Snapping for over two years and just continues to improve with each showing at a camp. Originally, his form was a tad off and he was little undersized. He worked right and hard to achieve greatness. He is now, obviously, one of the best Long Snappers in his class. Tremendous attitude and work ethic make him an excellent snapper and person for Furman University to have on their roster.

LaMontagne will be on the Rubio Long Snapping staff this January at the 11th Annual National Snapping Event in Las Vegas. See you there.

_________________________________________________________________

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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Look for Chase Dominguez to Excel at the Next Level!

Rubio Long snapper Chase Dominguez recently earned a scholarship to play football at the University of Utah to become their Long Snapper. As far as Rubio Long Snapping goes, Dominguez is virtually flawless in all aspects of the position. Chase is long and athletic and has the frame to become a fantastic blocker. Chase is smooth under pressure, concentrating on the mechanics of snapping in the toughest situations. There is no doubt that Dominguez will be a huge asset to the University of Utah’s college football program as a Long Snapper, as long as he stays healthy and continues to practice. His size, intelligence and talent makes him a player to watch in the future.

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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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88

Rubio Long Snapper Jeff Overbaugh dominating at SDSU

Dominating Rubio Long Snapper, Jeff Overbaugh is a five star long snapper for the class of 2012.  Jeff is originally from Anchorage, Alaska where he made ESPN’s high school all-Alaska team, helping his team, the Robert Service High School Cougars to a 10-0-1 overall record in 2011.  Ranked #3 overall in the country by Rubio Long Snapping, The true freshman starter, now playing for San Diego State, heated up in summer camp and didn’t cool off. With twelve regular season games in the books, freshman Jeff Overbaugh is 105 for 105 in all snap attempts.

Jeff is my third Rubio Long Snapper in a row to get picked up by and dominate at San Diego State.  Tyler Schmitt was my first, who has now gone on to be drafted by the Seahawks, and Aaron Brewer was second, who currently is with the Broncos.  Rivals.com said, “Instructor Chris Rubio who rated Jeff a five star D1 ready long snapper must be smiling knowing he got it right.”  Yes, yes I am smiling!  The success of my students is what drives me.

Watch the clip and see for yourself!

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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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122

An Unfair-y Tale

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there lived a person named Frank. Frank was just like any other person his age, he spent a great deal of time day-dreaming. Thoughts would pierce Frank’s mind like a knife and he would be forced to wrestle them into either the real world or let them float on by.
 
One day, a particular vision came into Frank’s head about being someone and doing something very few people in the world could do. Frank thought about being a top athlete and knew it was the thing for him. Frank told his good buddy, Dan, and they both proceeded to devour any bit of information they could about the subject and decided it really wasn’t that hard. They both could definitely do it and would go full speed into the process. They had the means and the desire. Nothing would stop them in fulfilling their dream to be a great athlete.
 
They started with a lesson. They both enjoyed the time with the instructor. The instructor was personable, made everyone feel welcome and definitely made sure everyone acquired some knowledge about the sport. Unfortunately, Dan was not so into it as Frank was, but that did not stop Frank and the lessons continued for both. Frank had a goal and they would achieve it.
 
Day after day, month after month, year after year, Frank would summon Dan to do the drills. To focus with him. To read with him. To stretch with him. To eat with him. To watch videos with him. To go to camps and combines with him. Dan did exactly what Frank wanted, if for any reason, to keep the relationship alive. After awhile, Frank could feel that Dan was drifting away from their dream and decided to look the other way and pretend it simply was not true. Hear no evil, see no evil was Franks’s motto. If they were this close, there is no way they could stop!
 
Camp after camp, Dan became less and less interested and it became more and more like work instead of fun. Dan even contemplated telling Frank he was burnt out and done, but did not want to hurt Frank’s feelings and/or lose the relationship. You see, at one point, they were actually the best of friends. But now, they were almost enemies. Frank didn’t even notice since he was so focused on the goal of being a top tier athlete.
 
Finally, after several years of lessons, camps, combines, events, films, trainers, stretching, eating, working out and countless hours of drills, Dan had had enough. Dan was not feeling well mentally or physically and was done. Done. He wanted no more. It was not fun anymore. It was not even tolerable. It was treacherous and was something that became dreaded. This thing that was once exciting and new, was now bland and exhausting. It was becoming obvious to all around, especially the instructor, that Dan simply was not into it anymore.
 
Something needed to be said and it needed to be said now. After one particular camp, the instructor pulled Dan to the side and asked Dan if he would like him to say something to Frank. Dan looked down, paused for quite some time, rose up with tears in his eyes and said, “No, that’s ok. I will speak to him. He’s my dad.”
 
 

Please note: this is a fictional story that I have made up. However, it could be very true and I don’t want to ever see it happen. This is why I always keep my lessons, camps and events fun and loose yet still extremely productive. I am firm believer in a happy athlete will be a good, if not great, athlete. Like I have stated before, one must wonder if my top kids are smiling because they are the best or are they the best because they are smiling?

Parents, please make sure your kids are happy with their athletic endeavors. Yes, you must push them and keep on them, but you must also support them and make sure they are following their own dreams and not yours.

_________________________________________________________________

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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269

Are You Helping or Hindering Your Athlete?

There is a very simple, tiny little factor that can make a terrific athlete (Long Snapper in this case) an absolute disaster. It isn’t something you can touch, buy or even give to someone. It is a feeling and it is often brought about by a person that loves the athlete the most. The feeling is TENSION and the person(s) often inflicting it are the PARENTS.

Athletes can be tense from self inflicted pressure (rarely) or, more often than not, from an outside source (parent/guardian).

An athlete that is working, truly working (camps, lessons, doing drills on their own, watching film, etc) to become the best KNOWS what rides with each “step” they take in life. They know the implications, they know the ramifications and they know the factors that will enable them to reach their goals within their sport. They got it. Trust me, they know. They do need a little motivation now and again (notice I say motivation which means being positive and not negative) but they do not need to be harassed.

When a parent rides an athlete and nags them, they will make them tense. Very tense. Being tense is not the same as pressure. Pressure is something that every athlete, and person, will have to deal with in life. It is a given. Whether it is a game winning snap, a public speech, a deadline or making your paycheck stretch, you will experience some sort of pressure….so why would you want to add on to that pressure for your son/daughter with tension?

So, how do you know if your athlete is tense? How do you know if your athlete is really into his/her sport and doing it because THEY want to or because YOU want them to? Here are the two biggest ways I have noticed…..
1. Sit back and see who approaches who to get some practice in to get better. Are you asking THEM to get some work in or are they asking YOU? If you find yourself pressing the issue, you might want to pull back a bit. Odds are they are doing it for you, are stressed out and are filled with tension.
2. After each particular key play (a snap in this case) do they focus on what they are doing or do the immediately look up to see your reaction? If an athlete tends to look up immediately for approval from a parent, they are usually running very tense and will never be fully happy or succeed to their fullest extent.

So, what should you (a parent) do? Watch your kid in sports, let them see you NODDING in approval, let them hear you giving them PRAISE and being POSITIVE.

Or don’t.

The choice is yours.

I have been working with top athletes for over a decade and I have NEVER seen one perform better when they are tense. If you simply don’t have the ability to nod (side note: you seriously might want to work on that) I recommend just staying back a bit. Definitely come and support your child but just keep a good distance. Instead of watching from the sideline, watch from the top of the bleachers. Don’t even let your kid know where you are sitting. Spread out. You’ll still be able to see what is happening and relay back to them what you saw.

An athlete will ALWAYS excel at a higher level when they are confident and relaxed. There is enough pressure on them at the camps, competitions, events and games without someone else adding tension to the equation. Be supportive, not suffocating and watch the results skyrocket. No matter how independent a non-adult athlete feels they are,  they will always follow your lead and feed off of you.  Be worth following.

_________________________________________________________________

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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What Makes a Long Snapper Great?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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


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

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

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

Told you I could answer the question:)

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Chris-Rubio-2

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

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

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