How to Speak to a College Coach

The expression “You never get a second chance to make a first impression” is never more prevalent than when you introduce yourself to a college coach. From the second they see you, they are eyeballing you up and down to see what you are made of from the bottom of your feet to the top of head. You remember that scene in the movie Madagascar (come on, don’t act tough, you know you have watched it) when the lion sees the zebra as just a giant steak?
Welcome to your world of college recruiting. Side note: you aren’t the lion. 
Don’t blame the coaches, I would do the same thing. Their job/pay is based on how they recruit and how well those that they recruited do within their program. If you turn off a coach right off the bat, it is hard to get back into their graces. Here is how to start off on the right foot……
  1. Stand tall. In football, size matters. Plain and simple. When you are about to approach a coach, breathe in. It makes you look taller. Careful, there is a fine line between breathing in to look a tad taller and breathing in and looking like a complete idiot that is trying too hard. Example: look at 99% of the kids in a high school football program and their head shot. You know how they are leaning back and trying to make their neck look fat and thicker? Really, really lame since everyone at the upper levels knows that trick and mocks it.
  2. Look the coach DIRECTLY in their eyes. I mean directly. Almost piercing. Look right through him as though you are in no way intimidated by them. They will respect you for your confidence.
  3. Shake it to break it. A hand shake is one of the things that will immediately separate you from the pack. Coaches are former football players and football players are usually strong. They will not have a weak grip and will judge someone who does. Open your paw, reach out and engulf their hand. Hold it until he relinquishes and keep your eyes on his eyes the entire time. Don’t look down to where it looks like you are surprised you have such a great hand shake. Do the exact same thing to the women you meet on your trips, but just hold off on the pressure a tad. No need to crush their hand but you also don’t want to do the finger grab thing. You aren’t on the set of the Titanic so knock off the pomp and circumstance.
  4. Little on the thin side? Wear thermals on the top and bottom. You won’t look like you have toothpicks for legs and you will look thick throughout your whole frame.
  5. Wear appropriate clothing. A collared shirt is always acceptable. Don’t look sloppy. If you are going for the rahah angle, wear the appropriate school’s gear. For instance, and this may seem like a no-brainer, but, unfortunately it is not, if you are going to visit say Alabama, don’t wear a Auburn sweatshirt. That is just ignorant and shows no respect for the coach or the school.
  6. Don’t fidget. After you gave a good shake and you are standing tall, keep your paws to your side or on your hips. Do not put them in your pockets or pick at your hands. In pockets, conveys you are hiding something and picking is a distraction and will take the coach’s attention away from your whole body and only to your nervous habit. 
  7. Speak slowly. I know you are nervous. They know you are nervous. When someone is nervous, they tend to speak a lot quicker. Slow down and speak clearly. For instance, when you tell them your name and where you are from you need to realize that is something you have said a zillion times and almost have a pattern. They wont know the pattern or be familiar with your distinct name and hometown. To avoid a back and forth game of “huh” and “what” just slow down.

There you go. You are now prepared to speak to a college coach. Now, get focused on your grades, your body and your form to make your dream of getting to the next level a reality. 

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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 New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the USA Today, Deadspin and countless other publications.

Offering the best instruction and most exposure in the world, Rubio Long Snapping can help you to become the best snapper you can be!

In just 14 years, Chris Rubio, President and Owner of Rubio Long Snapping, has become the #1 Long Snapping instructor in the country and the go-to man when a college coach needs a Long Snapper. Colleges from across the country rely on “Rubio’s” word day in and day out on who the best Long Snappers are in the country. Rubio Long Snapping has assisted in over 300 Long Snappers earning FULL SCHOLARSHIPS to major colleges and universities just for Long Snapping and many into the NFL as well.

152

Are You a Rubio Long Snapper?

Often on my Twitter, I will reference someone as a Rubio Long Snapper. One would think a Rubio Long Snapper is someone that simply has attended my camps and/or lessons. Not true at all. There is a criteria and not everyone makes the cut. You think you are a Rubio Long Snapper. Let’s see…..a Rubio Long Snapper is…..
  1. someone that wants to get better. You are not at a camp or a lesson simply to go through the motions. You want to be the best and won’t stop until you get there.
  2. someone that is willing to listen and I mean really listen. I am not talking simply nodding your head when I speak to you. That is ignorant since you won’t even allow yourself to learn and I can spot it a mile away. It is actually insulting and is remembered by me when a coach wants to know what type of person a particular Long Snapper is. A college coach will want to have someone on their team that is coachable and not just going through the motions. I can see it a mile away, they can see it a state away.
  3. someone that will trust me. Getting into a Long Snapping position is not always the easiest, most flattering or most comfortable but it will get you to perfect form. Suck it up. You are fine and it will pay off. Trust me.
  4. someone that is out to have a good time. Don’t get me wrong, I want all of my Long Snappers to get better….and they will. But, they will also have a good time. I am major believer in the fact that an athlete will do better when they are relaxed and not filled with tension as I have previously stated within my blog.Think about it, have you ever noticed that my top Long Snappers are always smiling and having a great time? One has to wonder: are they smiling because they are good OR are they good because they are smiling?
  5. someone that knows when to turn it on and off. This goes for having a good time and being competitive. I want you to win and I want you to dominate but I want to realize our position. One of the best things about being a Long Snapper is that is done within about five seconds. You need to be mentally focused and ready for five seconds. Not hours. We are not playing chess or solving cancer….we are snapping a dead animal fast. This is not rocket science. Do not treat it as such. There is no need to be ultra aggressive and a practice hero all the time. Focus, snap, relax. Focus, snap, relax. Take a deep breath and enjoy life. Things could be worse. You could be a kicker:)
  6. someone who is supportive of other Rubio Long Snappers. Yes, you want to be the best and destroy others for the five seconds you are snapping the ball but as soon as that five seconds is over, you should be supportive of your “opponent.” Long Snapping is an interesting little position because the only person you are really going against is you! Your competitor has literally no affect on you (side note: if he does, you need to stop focusing on him and focus simply on yourself)
Recently, I was uploading all of the videos from the 9th Annual National Kicking and Snapping Spring Event and noticed something very interesting. I must have viewed thousands of clips but it was actually the very last one that really caught my eye and inspired this blog. Within the clip, I saw the epitome of a Rubio Long Snapper. Here is a little background on the one minute and twenty-nine second clip I want you to watch: black shirt is Josh Antol out of CA and green shirt is Kelly Mason out of IL. They both outlasted 100 Long Snappers to get to this point, the Finals Round where the winner earns free camps for one full year! The clip is actually the very last snap of the entire weekend. Watch the film and then continue reading….
The best part about this film is not the wonderful form of both snappers (pat on my back), not the speed (pat), not the accuracy (pat pat), not the crowd, not the cameras clicking like it is going out of style or even the woman yelling in the background.
To me, the best part part of the entire life-changing film is at precisely 1:24. At that exact moment,  you see Josh Antol (the second place finisher) and Scott Daly (sitting down in front, the #1 in the class of 2012 and already committed to Notre Dame) immediately go directly to Kelly to congratulate him with an embrace. Antol could have pouted and stormed off. Daly could have thought he was better than the whole process and not even been there. They listened to get their bodies to this point, the competed, they had fun, they respected one another and they were supportive all within minutes. What Antol and Daly did at 1:24 is, by far, the most impressive thing I saw that entire weekend.
Those are Rubio Long Snappers.

Are you one?

33

How to Choose The Right College

So you finally finish your junior year of high school and are really starting to focus on the next step of your life….college.  Choosing the right college for you (and only you) is a major decision and should not be taken lightly. Like they say, college is “four for forty” meaning it is a four year experience that will affect you for the next forty….better choose wisely.
Here are my thoughts on how to pick the right school for my Long Snappers:

  1. NEVER, ever, ever choose a school based on the coach. Yeah, yeah, yeah I know he loves you and has been so nice to you and his 3rd grade daughter absolutely loves her elementary school and he and his wife just redecorated the house and blah, blah, blah. That coach gets a better offer and he is gone. Gone. I was at UCLA for five years and had only ONE coach finish with me that started with me. Shocking? Actually quite common. With coaches leaving for greener pastures and other issues, stay clear of choosing a school simply for a coach.
  2. Make sure your choice is a school that you could see yourself attending if you did not play football. God forbid you get injured or a coach leaves which makes you sad (refer to #1), you should be able to handle your school sans football. Football only swallows your time for certain months of the year. When season is over, you will need to be able to find yourself on the campus and the community and be happy.
  3. Remember where you are from and what you are used to. Make sure you understand that the USA is a very different place state by state. Whether it be the climate (humidity), types of people (polite or rude), restaurants (Five Guys) or even customs (y’all). America is a vast place and if you are not familiar with your surroundings it can be a shell shock that will make you want to head back home…..which you do not want.
    I am not saying you shouldn’t go out and explore or move away. I embrace something new for my guys. I am just saying you should understand what moving away entails. Think ahead so you don’t have to move back. Yet again, you don’t want that within your college career.

    Take your time with your college decision. It is something that will have a great deal of affect on you for a long, long time. You will meet a ton of interesting people and might even end up working with them. Nah, that couldn’t happen…could it?

Sailer and I at UCLA circa 1997 dominating the kicking and snapping world
Sailer and I at 9th Annual Event in 2011 dominating the kicking and snapping world

46

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.

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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.

 

125

Rubio Long Snapper Reid Ferguson Receives Full Ride Offer

Long time Rubio Long Snapper Reid Ferguson (2012, GA) has been offered a full scholarship from San Diego St! Reid started his career with Rubio Long Snapping at the beginning of his freshman year in high school and has been dominating ever since.

Reid is someone that has worked extremely hard for what he has earned within his football career. His form is darn near flawless and his large frame enables him to snap an absolute rocket. He plays for a powerhouse in Georgia so he is used to the spotlight and definitely seems to be his best when the pressure is on. Here is a clip of him at the 9th Annual Event in Las Vegas:

If Reid decides on San Diego St. he would be taking over for former #1 Rubio Long Snapper Aaron Brewer and would be coached by Tony White who is a former teammate of Rubio from UCLA back in the day.
Congratulations again to Reid Ferguson!UPDATE: Reid has also earned offers from Tennessee and LSU!

NEW UPDATE 6/20: Reid has committed to LSU!

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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.

89

The People I See on My Travels – 5

If you are a regular reader of my blog (well done by the way), you have to be a little bit excited by this post simply by the title. You know that I am about to report on one of the “humans” that I encounter on my travels. This post will be different. I will not be mocking someone that clearly deserves it. Side note: don’t judge me for judging…you know darn well all those people deserved what they got. I will actually be completely embracing someone. Seriously, I will. And, after this post, I bet you do too.
 
Let me introduce you to Mr-I-Am-The-Coolest-Cat-This-Year-And-The-Past-Eighty…(face not blurred because I am hoping someone knows this guy to high five him)

 

Please let the R on the bag mean he is a long lost Rubio
I saw this gentleman (given, he gets that title right off the bat from me) on a flight from Salt Lake to Dallas. We were both in first class. I was upgraded due to the ridiculous amount of flights I embark on and he was undoubtedly begged by the airlines to fly with them due to his coolness. He sits down a row in front and to my left. I stared. I stared some more. Here is what I saw:
  1. A pink/salmon/peach blazer (with matching tie) that was pressed to the highest extent possible. A naval Sargent would have been happy with the smoothness on this thing.
  2. Enough jewelry to make Liberace and Mr. T drool. Somehow, he made it look classy and not gaudy. Fantastic.
  3. Some sort of shiny alligator type shoe that was so polished you could easily see your reflection.
  4. Matching his shoes, of course, an alligator type briefcase that was equally as shiny. My assumption is four bottles of Armor All were used daily on that baby.
  5. A monogram on his sleeve that read “God’s Gift.” I am not even kidding. What a soldier. One has to believe that is a label many a lady has bestowed upon him and that it’s simply his title now.
  6. A fedora. Do I really even need to talk about how cool you are if you are sporting a fedora? Indiana Jones and this guy. Done.

He never made eye contact with me on the three hour flight or I would have made conversation. I would’ve had to spray him to simply tell him just how cool he was.

He strolled off the plane, given he didn’t walk like an average person, and stayed just long enough for me to catch him in action. As you can tell, he is looking right me and probably not even shocked that someone was taking his photo. God knows it is probably a daily occurrence for this cat.

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.

57

You

Why you? Why not you? Do you think you can do it or do you doubt yourself?

There are many reasons the best athletes are the best. One of the key factors is that they know they are. Nothing stops them. Tell them they can’t do something and they will go out of their way to prove you wrong.

How many times has someone told you that you can’t do something?

You are too small.
You are too heavy.
You are too slow.
You can’t get a scholarship.
You can’t snap in the .7s.
You can’t be accurate.
You can’t snap AND block.
You can’t go to college.
You can’t make the pros.
You
don’t have the drive.
You don’t have the flexibility.

You don’t have the grades.
You don’t have the ability.
You don’t have “it”

Or do you?

Prove the world wrong today. Prove….them….wrong. Go out, with confidence, and dominate others. Control your future and do it now.

I KNOW you can do it………………Do you?

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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.

26

Now What?

When I see a Long Snapper go to college & not play, it makes me wonder if they worked as hard when they GOT THERE as they did TO GET THERE

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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.

34

10 Steps to Making a Great Highlight Tape for a Long Snapper

One of the most common questions I get is always about extended highlight tapes. Everyone wants to know about content, length, set up and delivery. Here is my answer in a quick and easy format.
Please note: you could easily just use the highlight tapes that I make for you at all Rubio Long Snapping camps as well if you’d like. Benefit: they are verified by me.
 
1. Your highlight tape should be available online on YouTube. 
  • Reason: YouTube NEVER goes down. It is able to be seen on EVERYTHING (computer, cell, tablet). I know many schools use Hudl but Hudl doesn’t always work on all devices.
2. Your highlight tape should have an intro (you spraying the basics – name, school, contact info, my contact info) and printed contact info on a screen or two.
  • Reason: A coach will want to make sure you are not a moron. Blunt, but completely true. You don’t have to recite a soliloquy but they should be able to tell you have a pulse. They will also want to know who to contact (you, your email, possible cell, my name and info, school, HS coach and his info). That is it. No need to put other nonsense (speeds, maxes and such as you are probably just lying anyway). You will want to put my info so they can you use me as a credible source. Some randoms info is going to be worthless to you as a coach won’t trust them. They will want someone that will be dead honest with them….hint, hint: me. 

3. Your highlight tape should be a heavy majority of punts and NOT pats. 

  • Reason: A monkey can do a pat. They aren’t that big a deal. The speed of the punt is what they are going to want to see. Ratio should be about 95% punts & the views should be from a front/side angle and total side view. They will want to see if there is an arch (arch = usually needs more speed). Please note: put your best snaps first!!! If you don’t catch their interest right off the bat, you are done.

4. Your highlight tape should show live snaps and practice footage. 

  • Reason: Game footage is obvious and I always recommend to have some practice snaps because it lets them see your body without pads. Also, it will allow them to see your form and you blocking (yes, you need to put those) a bit clearer and, if you can do it, you can put running tape on of some snaps. That is a huge win. Plus, if you have been to some quality camps, you are most likely better now than you were during the season. Improvement is a good thing.

5. Your highlight tape should be between three and ten minutes.

  • Reason: Your audience will be males. Males lose focus quickly. You don’t grab their attention pretty quick and you are going to have a huge loss on your plate. The only way I approve of a longer highlight tape if it is just ridiculously good (you’ll see what I mean at the end of this blog).

6. Your highlight tape should have no sound after you speak. NO MUSIC or RANDOM SPRAY

  • Reason: It is incredibly annoying and it just gets muted anyway. Trust me, I see hundreds per year and none of them have had the volume turned up. Please note: no one has actually had the guts to put on some silky smooth sounds of Lou Rawls or Teddy P so that might be the reason for immediate muting. 
  • Reason: No one wants to hear a mom yelling, dad cheering, grandma hitting someone with her cane (sorry, flashback) or any words written (.71 for 15 yards!). They, a coach, won’t even look at it and will just end up calling someone they can trust to get a time.

7. Your highlight tape does NOT need to be done by world class professionals. A couple of the best ones I have viewed were done on pretty cheap standard video cameras.

  • Reason: audience is males and they want a bottom line. It doesn’t have to be Avatar. 

8. Your highlight tape should focus on Long Snapping. Sounds basic enough, but you’d be surprised.

  • Reason: You want them to know how great a Long Snapper you are first and foremost. If you are going to show them highlights of another position or sport, they better be just that…HIGHLIGHTS. You want them to see something extraordinary, not just ordinary and it should be placed after your Long Snapping portion.

9. Your highlight tape should be edited well. Meaning, not a lot of wasted time on it. Example: waiting for thirty seconds on each snap while the punter remembers when to move his hands to be ready for your glorious snap or watching the returner run for a touchdown.

  • Reason: Again, your audience is males and they have short attention sp…..hey, look at that bird….just kidding, but you get my point…I hope.

10. Your highlight tape should be reviewed by someone who knows what the college coaches will want.

  • Reason: Simple, you want them to be pleased right off the bat and not wanting more or less.

Here are examples of a couple great ones….

Hope this helps and I look forward to a plethora of great highlight tapes….finally:)
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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.

699

Rubio Long Snapper Daly Commits!

Rubio Long Snapper Scott Daly (2012, IL) has made his decision and committed to Notre Dame! He was offered this morning by Notre Dame Head Coach Kelly before ND’s Spring Game. Scott committed immediately as Notre Dame has always been his dream school. He was previously offered immediately after the 9th Annual National Event in Las Vegas by Northwestern.

Scott is the youngest Long Snapper to ever be offered (January of his junior year in high school) and commit (April of his junior year in high school). The previous record holder was Christian Yount of UCLA/NFL and Chase Gorham of Arizona who both were offered in May of their junior years.

Scott is a unique story as he originally came out to a Rubio Long Snapping camp as a baseball player that just wanted to sample Long Snapping. After his first camp, I advised him and his mother to trust me and focus on Long Snapping. He had the tools but just had no idea what he was doing. If he was willing to work, he could make a name for himself. Love it when I am right and a kid with potential WORKS his tail off. Daly is a great person, Long Snapper and his success is well deserved.

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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.

 

81

Meet the “TOP 12” Long Snappers!

Going to Vegas in January for underclassmen Long Snappers means several things: seeing what all of the commotion is about, doing your absolute best, getting your ranking solidified, watching in awe at the top seniors that you have read so much about and, of course, making the exclusive TOP 12 list! The TOP 12 is chosen from underclassmen in January and they are simply the best of the best in January. They are the ones that snap the hardest, the most accurate, have the best blocking and are able to handle the pressure of the entire weekend. You make this list and you are on way to greatness….if you keep working as hard as you did to make it. The TOP 12 Long Snappers of January will be listed below and get the most exposure possible. They are invited to exclusive TOP 12 and EVENT ELITE camp this summer. You are only allowed to attend this camp if you prove yourself at one of our Vegas Events (January or May). Therefore, in May, I will be choosing the EVENT ELITE. They will be the best of the best in May and combine with the TOP 12 during the summer for the invite only camp. Some simply aren’t ready for January Vegas and need May to make a name for themselves. This happens. I know it. One particular instance would be Jonathan Weeks. He came in January, was not ready, worked his tail off and came back to dominate May. FYI: Jonathan Weeks in now doing this for his job. Side note: after reading his bio on that page, try to figure out what special teams camp the coach found out about him:) Think about this….come this summer…will you be reading daily about the TOP 12 and EVENT ELITE camp this summer or will you be participating? MAKE IT HAPPEN. ENOUGH EXCUSES. See you in May. PROVE YOURSELF!!! With no further adieu, here are your TOP 12 Long Snappers of 2011….. All information in this article is current as of April, 2011. Click on each individual players names for more information. Chris Fitzpatrick fitzpatrick_chris.jpg High School: Anderson County
State: KY
Graduating Class: 2012
Position: Long Snapper Current National Rubio Long Snapping Ranking: #5
Height: 6-1
Weight:  235
GPA: 3.5
SAT / ACT:
Top 5 Colleges Choices: 1. LSU 2. Purdue 3. Boston College 4. Northwestern 5. Western Kentucky
Hobbies: 1. Weightlifting 2. Fishing 3. Cooking
Chris Says: “My dedication of always trying to improve my long snapping abilities makes me the best Long Snapper in the country.” Chris Rubio Says: “Fitzpatrick  has grown a great deal with his body and his Long Snapping. Has transformed into one of the top Long Snappers in the country. Very, very solid speed that dips into .7s quite often. Very accurate and moves well for being so big. At this pace, he might be a five star by May Vegas. Keep a very close eye on this long time Rubio Long Snapper.” Cory Cheadle cheadle_cory.jpg High School: Hilton Head Christian Academy
State: SC
Graduating Class: 2012
Position: Long Snapper Current National Rubio Long Snapping Ranking: #4
Height: 6-3.5
Weight:  255
GPA: 2.85
SAT / ACT: 1360
Top 5 Colleges Choices: 1. Clemson 2. Auburn 3. Alabama 4. Tennessee 5. Maryland
Hobbies: 1. Fishing 2. Gofing 3. Boating
Cory Says: “My ability to snap well under extreme pressure is what makes me the best Long Snapper in the country.Chris Rubio Says: “Cheadle continues to impress me. Blocks very well, incredible flexibilty, solid personality and body, and he has the ability to snap the ball rocket fast. Cheadle continues to woo me with his overall snapping ability. Even under a bit of pain, he is doing well. Watch this one. I fully expect May Vegas to be his welcome party into the 5 star club.”Grant Meersand meersand_grant.jpg High School: Mira Costa
State: CA
Graduating Class: 2012
Position: Long Snapper Current National Rubio Long Snapping Ranking: #3
Height: 6-1
Weight: 218 GPA: 3.3
SAT / ACT:
Top 5 Colleges Choices: 1. Colorado 2. UCLA 3. Northwestern 4. Arizona St 5. LSU
Hobbies: 1. Playing football 2. Paddle Boarding 3. Hanging at the beach with friends
Grant Says: “I am the most consistent and can handle pressure better than any other person in the country and that makes me the best Long Snapper in the country.Chris Rubio Says: “Grant handles pressure as well as anyone in the country. The bigger and stronger he gets, the better he is. Easily one of the best forms around on a Long Snapper. Darn near flawless and picture perfect. Blocking is very solid. Speed improves every week. Very, very solid Long Snapper right now.”Jeff Overbaugh overbaugh_jeff.jpg
High School: Service
State: AK
Graduating Class: 2012
Position: Long Snapper Current National Rubio Long Snapping Ranking: #6
Height: 6-1
Weight: 235 GPA: 3.5
SAT / ACT:
Top 5 Colleges Choices: 1. Michigan 2. UNLV 3. WSU 4. Oregon St 5. LSU
Hobbies: 1. Downhill Skiing 2. Sea Kayaking 3. River Rafting
Jeff Says: “My proven ability to snap fast and accurately and block well in two Play Off/State Championships as well as the Tanoa Bowl Classic (Alaska vs Washington) makes me the best Long Snapper in the country.”
Chris Rubio Says:  “Overbaugh is very fluid and smooth. Starting to look effortless. Very strong. Blocking and speed of the ball will really bump him up the rankings board. Love his confidence. Definitely looked like a man on a mission in Vegas.  Once he stops thinking and really lets the ball go he will be amazing.” Kyle Ashby ashby_kyle.jpg
High School: Brazoswood
State: TX
Graduating Class: 2012
Position: Long Snapper Current National Rubio Long Snapping Ranking: #8
Height: 6-0
Weight: 240 GPA: 3.7
SAT / ACT:
Top 5 Colleges Choices: 1. Oklahoma 2. Missouri 3. Stanford 4. Texas A&M 5. La Tech
Hobbies: 1. Activiites with Church youth people 2. Hunting/Fishing 3. Working out on Long Snapping
Kyle Says: “My Accuracy, Consistency, Smooth, Tight Spiral, and the best work ethic of anyone in the country makes me the best Long Snapper in the country.”
Chris Rubio Says:  “Ashby is really coming into his own. He has turned himself into a terrific young Long Snapper. Very, very smooth. Love to catch his snaps. Almost fall into your hands. Great spiral and his frame is terrific. One of the most accurate within his class. Once he gets his body really involved and trusts his form, he will be top 5 and move closer to the elusive 5 star rating. Very solid Long Snapper.” Matt Cincotta cincotta_matt.jpg
High School: Charlotte Catholic
State: NC
Graduating Class: 2012
Position: Long Snapper Current National Rubio Long Snapping Ranking: #14
Height: 6-1
Weight: 195 GPA: 3.74
SAT / ACT: 1090
Top 5 Colleges Choices: 1. Notre Dame 2. Duke 3. Wake Forest 4. Va Tech 5. Virginia
Hobbies: 1. Target Shooting 2. Basketball 3. Golf
Matt Says: “I am the best Long Snapping in the country because I offer the combination of a consistent long snapper with the quickness, speed, and athleticism of a linebacker.”
Chris Rubio Says:  “Cincotta is making the turn to greatness. Ball has always been fast and on target but he had an issue with his spiral. Left hand used to move a tad which caused the spiral to disappear. Well that problem is almost completely gone which is great for him and terrible for the other Long Snappers ahead of him. The more size and muscle he gets, the better he will be. Watch this one!” Patrick Gerrits frix_trent.jpg
High School: Wellington
State: FL
Graduating Class: 2012
Position: Long Snapper Current National Rubio Long Snapping Ranking: #9
Height: 6-2
Weight: 222 GPA: 3.3
SAT / ACT:
Top 5 Colleges Choices: 1. Villanova 2. Tennessee 3. Va Tech 4. La Tech 5. Purdue
Hobbies: 1. Building Robotics 2. Traveling 3. Collecting historical swords
Patrick Says: “I am the best Long Snapping in the country because I  am consist, accurate, focused, and always improving are four words that I feel describe myself best. In the last two years I have consistently snapped over 100 times without a single blocked punt in a game.  Under the most pressure situations I stay consistent, accurate and focused. Every day I try to find ways to improve, and every year I find that I Improve in some way, for example my blocking and snapping speed have increased significantly over the past year.”
Chris Rubio Says:  “Patrick is one of the smoothest Long Snappers in the country. Does well under pressure and RARELY misses. The bigger and stronger he gets, the better he will be. Almost looks like he is not even trying when he snaps he is so fluid. Pretty soon he is going to realize how good he and his form are and he is going to just let the ball go and then watch! Great kid and personality. Blocking continues to improve.” Reid Ferguson ferguson_reid.jpg
High School: Buford
State: GA
Graduating Class: 2012
Position: Long Snapper Current National Rubio Long Snapping Ranking: #2
Height: 6-2
Weight: 240 GPA: 3.7
SAT / ACT: 1550
Top 5 Colleges Choices: 1. LSU 2. Tennessee 3. North Carolina 4. Florida St. 5. South Florida
Hobbies: 1. Playing football (preferably Long Snapping) 2. Spending quality time with friends and family 3. Watching movies and eating
Reid Says: “The attribute about me that makes me the best Long Snapper in the Country in my work ethic.  I am willing to do anything to be the best at what I do.  Especially if you give me a challenge, I will go above and beyond to try and reach that goal.”
Chris Rubio Says:  “Reid is ready right now for the next level. Terrific frame, speed and accuracy. Blocks very well. Can’t say enough good things about him. Been a true student of Long Snapping for quite some time and it has paid off.” Scott Daly daly_scott.jpg High School: Downers Grove South
State: IL
Graduating Class: 2012
Position: Long Snapper Current National Rubio Long Snapping Ranking: #1
Height: 6-3
Weight:  235 GPA: 3.0
SAT / ACT:
Top 5 Colleges Choices: 1. Northwestern 2. Notre Dame 3. Stanford 4. Michigan St. 5. Iowa
Hobbies: 1. Working out 2. Golfing 3. Traveling with my family
Scott Says: “I am the best Long Snapper in the country because I have a phenomenal work ethic.  I’m teachable and I never feel I have learned enough.  I always strive to become better and I prepare myself so that I can only get better.”
Chris Rubio Says:  “Daly is a machine. Went from average with potential to the most dominant Long Snapper in his class in one year. Works like a horse and built like one too. Kid is beyond smooth and fast. He is a no brainer scholarship Long Snapper.  Continues to dominate. Ball explodes out of his hands. Beyond fast. Almost shocking. Very, very smooth Long Snapper. Body is excellent. Very athletic.” Scott Sypniewski sypniewski_scott.jpg
High School: Marquette Academy 
State: IL
Graduating Class: 2013
Position: Long Snapper Current National Rubio Long Snapping Ranking: #2
Height: 6-1
Weight: 215 GPA: 3.4
SAT / ACT:
Top 5 Colleges Choices: 1. Michigan 2. Western Michigan 3. Nebraska 4. Illinois 5. Oregon
Hobbies: 1. Working out and becoming better 2. Hanging with friends 3. Playing sports
Scott Says: “I am the best Long Snapper in the country because I dont let anyone out work me.”
Chris Rubio Says:  “Sypniewski is growing with his body and snapping. This Long Snapper is just flat out great…..ALREADY! Very, very smooth and accurate. Needs a tad more pop to really pick up his speed (which is already excellent for his age). Great snapper and person. ” Trent Frix frix_trent.jpg
High School: Calhoun
State: GA
Graduating Class: 2012
Position: Long Snapper Current National Rubio Long Snapping Ranking: #7
Height: 6-0
Weight: 190 GPA: 4.0
SAT / ACT: 1030
Top 5 Colleges Choices: 1. LSU 2. Tennesee 3. Georgia 4. UAB 5. Alabama
Hobbies: 1. Hunting  2. Fishing 3. Hiking
Trent Says: “I believe I am one of the best long snapper in the nation because I have been the starting long snapper on my varsity high school team for the three years I have been in high school. I also started at outside linebacker this past year and have also played receiver and running back during my high school career. During the time I have been in high school  we have went to the Georgia state championship three years in a row and have an overall record of 40-4. I have also started the past two years at center field on our baseball team which won the state championship in 2010. I have also been practicing on my long snapping and competing in camps since I was in the 6th grade. I think that my overall athleticism, experience, and work ethic separates me from the other long snappers and makes me one of the best in the nation.”
Chris Rubio Says:  “Frix is going to be great. He already is beyond good. VERY athletic and strong. Hands are like rockets. Body is solid and getting better by the day. Form needs a couple quick tweeks but looks as though he is definitely headed in the right direction. Blocks well and runs even better. Watch this one.” William Eads eads_william.jpg
High School: Hoover
State: AL
Graduating Class: 2012
Position: Long Snapper Current National Rubio Long Snapping Ranking: #13
Height: 6-0
Weight:  202 GPA: 3.65
SAT / ACT: 23
Top 5 Colleges Choices: 1. Alabama 2. Ole Miss 3. Mississippi St 4. Wake Forest 5. Florida St
Hobbies: 1. Fishing  2. Golfing 3. Hanging out with friends
William Says: “I believe I am one of the best long snapper in the nation because I have experience blocking in games and I came through for my team in many clutch situations throughout the last season.”
Chris Rubio Says:  “Eads has really grown into his body. Oozing confidence, which I love, and is snapping is benefiting. Body is getting bigger and stronger and his snaps are quick. Blocking is coming along. His form is absolutely fantastic. When he gets all the way back and lets it go, he is amazing. The bigger he gets, the better he is going to be simply because his form is so darn solid.”    
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 32162805_1690368751039248_6661371560290418688_o.jpg
Rubio Long Snapping is, by far, the biggest and best resource for Long Snappers in the country. Rubio has been featured in the Washington Post, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the USA Today, Deadspin and countless other publications. Offering the best instruction and most exposure in the world, Rubio Long Snapping can help you to become the best snapper you can be! In just 14 years, Chris Rubio, President and Owner of Rubio Long Snapping, has become the #1 Long Snapping instructor in the country and the go-to man when a college coach needs a Long Snapper. Colleges from across the country rely on “Rubio’s” word day in and day out on who the best Long Snappers are in the country. Rubio Long Snapping has assisted in over 1,000 Long Snappers earning full scholarships and preferred walk-on opportunities to major colleges and universities just for Long Snapping and many into the NFL as well.

93

How Can Twitter Benefit You?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 32162805_1690368751039248_6661371560290418688_o.jpg

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

Offering the best instruction and most exposure in the world, Rubio Long Snapping can help you to become the best snapper you can be!

In just 14 years, Chris Rubio, President and Owner of Rubio Long Snapping, has become the #1 Long Snapping instructor in the country and the go-to man when a college coach needs a Long Snapper. Colleges from across the country rely on “Rubio’s” word day in and day out on who the best Long Snappers are in the country. Rubio Long Snapping has assisted in over 1,000 Long Snappers earning full scholarships and preferred walk-on opportunities to major colleges and universities just for Long Snapping and many into the NFL as well.

 

56

Only So Many Days….

You only have so many seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and years to make things happen in your life. Whether it’s traveling the world, writing a book, finding that right job or even meeting that perfect someone…your time is limited. If you are looking to be an elite athlete, Long Snapper of course, you’re time frame has just dropped significantly. Your window is considerably less and the time needs to be taken much more seriously. In the drive of life, you will be rolling by that window of opportunity at 100 mph and you need to make sure you open your eyes, heart and mind fully to take full advantage of it. Today is a day. A Tuesday to be exact. Just like many others. But I have to ask…..
How are you going to make it different?
How are you going to improve?
How are you going to show the coach there is NO DOUBT you deserve that starting spot in the Fall?
How are you going to separate yourself from those clawing at your heels in the rankings?
How are you going to improve to catch that Long Snapper ahead of you that you think you are better than BUT have not proven it to me yet? How are you getting ready for the Spring Event in Vegas this May? How are you getting mentally ready for the challenges of Vegas to ensure you grab a TOP 12/EVENT ELITE spot? Please notice how I have used the word you so frequently. This piece is about you getting up and making yourself better. Not mommy or daddy. Not your coach. Not your tutor. Not even me. YOU need to pick yourself up and get the work done. Like I always say, you will be the one snapping the ball. Focus up and let’s go. Now pause. I want you to picture yourself getting better, making yourself better, leaving no doubt…dominating. Now make it happen.    
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 32162805_1690368751039248_6661371560290418688_o.jpg
Rubio Long Snapping is, by far, the biggest and best resource for Long Snappers in the country. Rubio has been featured in the Washington Post, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the USA Today, Deadspin and countless other publications. Offering the best instruction and most exposure in the world, Rubio Long Snapping can help you to become the best snapper you can be! In just 14 years, Chris Rubio, President and Owner of Rubio Long Snapping, has become the #1 Long Snapping instructor in the country and the go-to man when a college coach needs a Long Snapper. Colleges from across the country rely on “Rubio’s” word day in and day out on who the best Long Snappers are in the country. Rubio Long Snapping has assisted in over 1,000 Long Snappers earning full scholarships and preferred walk-on opportunities to major colleges and universities just for Long Snapping and many into the NFL as well.  

24

What is Grayshirting?

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

117

What to do…What to do…..

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

_________________________________________________________________

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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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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The Beginning……..

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

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

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

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

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

Rubio Long Snapping is, by far, the biggest and best resource for Long Snappers in the country. Offering the best instruction and most exposure in the world. Rubio Long Snapping can help you to become the best snapper you can be! In just 12 years, Chris Rubio, President and Owner of Rubio Long Snapping, has become the #1 Long Snapping instructor in the country and the go-to man when a college coach needs a Long Snapper. Colleges from across the country rely on “Rubio’s” word day in and day out on who the best Long Snappers are in the country. Rubio Long Snapping has assisted in over 300 Long Snappers earning FULL SCHOLARSHIPS to major colleges and universities just for Long Snapping and many into the NFL as well.

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