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All-American Team

June 20, 2013 By

Starting this year, Rubio Long Snapping and Chris Sailer Kicking will be choosing an All-American Team!

We will be choosing 4 High School and 4 College All-Americans. We will also be choosing a Most Improved Kicker, Punter and Long Snapper for the year as well.

One of the best parts about these awards, besides the honor itself, is that they will be announced on Friday, January 17th in Las Vegas. Yup, that is the day before the world’s largest kicking, punting and Long Snapping event and everyone will be on hand for the ceremony.

Also, in Vegas on that same night, Herbalife 24 will be announcing the Chris Rubio Award and Chris Sailer Award for top High School Long Snapper and Kicker of the Year!

Therefore, instead of just a handful of lucky families being able to see the Chris Rubio and Chris Sailer Award presentations, there will now be hundreds. The awards ceremony will take place in a ballroom at the JW Marriott with the front tables being reserved for the finalists and their families, while the rest of the ballroom will be open seating and free to the public. Imagine the NFL draft in your head….that is what this will look like in Vegas.

With no further adieu, here are the Rubio Long Snapping and Chris Sailer Kicking Pre-Season All-Americans….

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Filed Under: Article Archives, College, Deep Snapper, High School, Long Snapper, Motivation, Recruiting Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

All-American List FILLED with Rubio Long Snappers

June 5, 2013 By

All four Long Snappers named to the Pre-Season All-American List put out by the heralded Phil Steele publication are Rubio Long Snappers!

The publication put out by Phil Steele is widely known as the number one resource for college athletics and highly respected throughout the world.

This is a huge honor for these Long Snappers, all of which were TOP 12 member, and Rubio Long Snapping. Having one nominated is good, having all four is PHENOMENAL!

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1st Team All-American Scotty Thompson

First Team – Scotty Thompson (NC State)

Second Team – Drew Howell (Oregon)

Third Team – Matt Dooley (Indiana)

Fourth Team – Reid Ferguson (LSU)

Congratulations once again to these fine Long Snappers!

 

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Filed Under: Article Archives, Deep Snapper, Long Snapper, Motivation, Recruiting, Relationships Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Rubio Long Snapping Academic Excellence Award WINNER!

April 1, 2013 By

After receiving, reviewing and evaluating the applications of a number of very qualified candidates, we are pleased and honored to announce that the winner of the first annual Rubio Long Snapping Academic Excellence Award, sponsored by Terry Thompson and family, is Clayton Jackson!

Clayton is from Cottonwood Falls, Kansas and is a junior at Chase County Junior-Senior High School. He has maintained a 4.0 non-weighted academic GPA in high school. In fact, he has had straight A’s in all of his classes so far in high school. Beyond his impressive academic record, Clayton is a leader with outstanding character and integrity. Amongst his many accomplishments, he has been the Class President each year he has been in high school, has numerous hours and endeavors that he has volunteered to his community and operates his own business. One of Clayton’s teachers remarked, “Clayton’s character is beyond reproach. He is known for making good decisions even when they are not the most popular ones. As a student-athlete, the example he sets for his peers as well as younger students both on the field and in the classroom is an asset that our school is lucky to have.”

Clayton has been a Rubio Long Snapper since 2011 and is currently the 30th ranked Rubio Long Snapper in the Class of 2014. When Clayton’s long snapping and football days are over with he has aspirations to serve his rural community as a doctor with the goal of bringing more modern healthcare awareness to his community while improving the overall health of the people he serves. Based on his impressive credentials, character and motivation, we have no doubt that Clayton will be successful in any endeavor he sets his mind and heart to.

With this, we are very proud and honored to award the 1st Annual Rubio Long Snapping Academic Excellence Award to Clayton Jackson. Congratulations Clayton!

We would also like to sincerely thank all of the other Rubio Long Snappers who took the time and effort to submit applications for consideration for this award. Each and every candidate demonstrated an excellent academic record with outstanding leadership, character and integrity. Each and every applicant should be proud of their achievements as well as their goals and aspirations for the future.

Clayton Jackson and Rubio

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Filed Under: Article Archives, Deep Snapper, High School, Long Snapper, Motivation Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Rubio Long Snapping Academic Excellence Award

February 19, 2013 By

Terry Thompson, father of Rubio Long Snapper’s Scotty and Erik, approached me with an idea. Terry wanted to give back to Rubio Long Snapping for all that it has done for both of his sons. He wanted to donate to a Rubio Long Snapper for this year, and year’s to come, but he wanted it to be based heavily on academics.

According to Terry, “Due in part to the mentoring and influence of Rubio, both of my sons learned the value and importance of their education and academic discipline beyond their athletic goals and aspirations. With this in mind, on behalf of my sons, Rubio Long Snappers Scotty Thompson and Erik Thompson, I wanted to give back to all that Rubio and Rubio Long Snapping has done and continues to do outside of long snapping for my sons and Rubio Long Snappers everywhere. It is in this spirit that I am donating this year and for years to come the following award to Rubio Long Snapping. This award will emphasize the importance of academic discipline and performance as part of what a Rubio Long Snapper ought to be doing as routinely as he practices Rubio Long Snapping drills and techniques. As a specialist, whether you get the privilege of earning a scholarship or a preferred walk-on or if you don’t even get the opportunity to play college football, it is education and academic performance that will open up opportunities to their lives…Success of/as a Rubio Long Snapper goes far beyond long snapping…The purpose and essence of this award is meant to emphasize and embrace this concept.”

Needless to say, I fully embraced this terrific idea so I present to you the….

Rubio Long Snapping Academic Excellence Award

This award will be given to the Rubio Long Snapper who, in addition to demonstrating excellent skill and performance as a Rubio Long Snapper, possesses outstanding character and work ethic as a student and has an outstanding academic record. This award will be awarded to a high school junior after completion of his first semester of his junior year and will pay for his Las Vegas camp registration fee for the following Spring (May) and Winter (January) camps. Only Long Snappers from the class of 2014 need to apply if they meet the criteria for the award.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • A minimum academic GPA of 3.6
    • Academic GPA takes into account core college prep minimum education classes only, such as Math, English, Social Studies and Science.
    • The 3.60 GPA will need to be a cumulative academic GPA from first semester of a candidate’s 9th grade year through the 1st semester of the candidate’s 11th grade year.
    • Active 2014 Rubio Long Snapper (must have participated in at least one Rubio Long Snapper camp and/or currently signed up for an upcoming camp)

Submittals for Consideration:

  • Sealed official high school transcript that includes all academic grades and performance from 1st semester of 9th grade year through 1st semester of 11th grade year.
  • 1,000 word or less hand written essay on what a candidate wants to do with/for his life after his long snapping career is over.
  • Honors and Achievements that would include, but are not limited to, community service, extra-curricular activities, leadership roles, etc.
  • Two Letters of Recommendation from a non-coach core academic teacher describing your work ethic as a student.
  • All applications must be received by March 15. No applications will be even considered if received after March 15.
  • The winner will be announced on April 1.

Award:

  • Pays for the Rubio Long Snapping Las Vegas Camp costs for the following Spring Camp (May) and following Winter Camp (January). Estimated Award Value: $800
  • Award winner will be announced on April 1.

How to Enter:

Application should include and be in the following order:

  • Cover Letter to include:

Name, High School, High School Address, Principal’s Name, Principal’s E-Mail, Guidance Counselor’s Name, Guidance Counselor’s E-mail, Home Mailing Address, Applicant’s Cell Number, Applicant’s E-mail Address

  • Sealed official high school transcript that includes all academic grades and performance from 1st semester of 9th grade year through 1st semester of 11th grade year.
  • 1,000 word or less hand written essay on what a candidate wants to do with/for his life after his long snapping career is over.
  • Typed list and explanation of honors and achievements that would include, but are not limited to, community service, extra-curricular activities, leadership roles, etc.
  • Two Letters of Recommendation from a non-coach core academic teacher describing your work ethic as a student (no more than three, please)
  • Nothing else should be included and there is no lobbying allowed for an applicant. Therefore, no videos posted to YouTube or any other social media outlet to gain attention.

Put all of the above into an envelope/box and mail to the following TWO addresses. Yes, you will be sending out two copies and they need to be at the locations by no later than March 15th.

Rubio Long Snapping Academic Excellence Award
c/o RUBIO
1104 Richardson Ave.
Lewiston, ID 83501

Rubio Long Snapping Academic Excellence Award
c/o Terry Thompson
10 Oak View Dr. Suite 100
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

Best of luck and please forward all questions to Rubio@RubioLongSnapping.com

Erik Thompson, Terry Thompson and Scotty Thompson

Erik, Terry and Scotty Thompson

 

 

 

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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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Filed Under: Article Archives, College, Contest, Deep Snapper, High School, Long Snapper, Maturity, Motivation Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Rubio Long Snappers in College Bowl Games

December 15, 2012 By

Here is your official guide to embracing Rubio Long Snappers in this season’s college football bowl games. Enjoy….

Gildan New Mexico Bowl – Chase Gorham, Brian Chacon and Tim Johnston of Arizona

Famous Idaho Bowl – Stone Monarch of Toledo vs Mark Hutchinson of Utah State

Rubio Long Snapper Jeff Overbaugh of San Diego St in the finals in Vegas!

S.D. County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl – Jeff Overbaugh and Brandon Koletsky of San Diego St.

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s St. Petersburg Bowl – Nick Traub of Ball St vs Scott Teal of UCF

R + L Carriers New Orleans Bowl – Charlie Coggins of East Carolina vs Jake Guidry of Louisiana Lafayette

MAACO Las Vegas Bowl – Ryan Masel of Washington vs Chris Roberson and Kevin Keane of Boise St.

Little Caesars Pizza Bowl – Nolan Dowling of Western Kentucky

Military Bowl Presented by Northrop Grumman Bowl – Ryan DiSalvo and Art Gilbreath of San Jose St vs Greg Hohenstein of Bowling Green

Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl – Marcus Santa Cruz of Baylor vs Chris Longo and Jay Weneta of UCLA

Russell Athletic Bowl – Joe St. Germain of Virginia Tech

Meineke Car Care of Texas Bowl – Alex Chester of Texas Tech

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl – Trevor Gillette of Rice vs Harrison Elliott and Kevin Carrington of Air Force

New Era Pinstripe Bowl – John DePalma of West Virginia vs Sam Rodgers of Syracuse

Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl – Joe Cardona and Josh Antol of Navy vs Easton Wahlstrom of Arizona St.

Valero Alamo Bowl – Kyle Ashby of Texas vs Michael Morovick  and Harrison Linsky of Oregon St.

Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl – Taybor Pepper or Michigan St.

Rubio Long Snapper Scotty Thompson of NC State on staff in Vegas

Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl– Scott Thompson NC State vs Andrew East of Vanderbilt

Hyundai Sun Bowl – Peter McBride of USC

AutoZone Liberty Bowl – Luke Sims of Iowa St vs Jake Compton and Rey Higuera of Tulsa

Chic-fil-A Bowl – Reid Ferguson of LSU vs Jim Brown of Clemson

TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl – Winston Chapman and Reed Gordon of Mississippi St vs Chris Fitzpatrick of Northwestern

Heart of Dallas Bowl – Andrew Suter of Oklahoma St. and Connor Sinko of Oklahoma St

Outback Bowl – Curt Graman of Michigan

Capital One Bowl – Ty Frix of Georgia

Rose Bowl Game presented by Vizio – Reed Miler and Austin Tubbs of Stanford

Discover Orange Bowl– Dax Dellenbach and Philip Doumar of Florida St.

Rubio Long Snapper Reid Ferguson of LSU on staff in Vegas

Allstate Sugar Bowl – Grant Donovan of Louisville vs Drew Ferris of Florida

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl – Drew Howell and Jeff Palmer of Oregon vs Dalton Converse of Kansas St.

AT&T Cotton Bowl – Alex Freeman and Nick Brown of Texas A&M

BBVA Compass Bowl – David Murphy of Pitt vs Will Denny and Will Few of Ole Miss

GoDaddy.com Bowl – Cade Oliver and Ryan Eustace of Arkansas St.

Discover BCS National Championship Bowl – Jordan Cowart and Scott Daly of Notre Dame vs Carson Tinker, MK Taylor and Matt Wilkinson of Alabama

Rubio Long Snapper Carson Tinker of Alabama with last year’s National Championship trophy

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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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Filed Under: Article Archives, Athletics, College, Deep Snapper, Exposure, Football, Long Snapper, Motivation, Recruiting Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Making Sure You Are Ready for College

October 30, 2012 By

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

GO SPEAK TO YOUR COUNSELOR 
One of the biggest issues high school students have is believing they can get into a specific college simply because they are graduating from high school. There is nothing that can be farther from the truth. You actually can graduate from high school, even with honors, and still not get into specific schools. You MUST make sure your counselor knows which particular schools you are interested in so you are able to plan to take the specific classes that each school requires. If they (your counselor) brushes you off and gives you a “trust me, you are definitely on course to graduate” type of answer, you need to insist they double check that you have the right classes for the school(s) you are shooting for after high school.
For instance, some schools require four years of English or extra Fine Arts classes. Nothing against electives, but imagine if you missed out on getting into a college simply because you forgot to take an art, cooking or ceramics class? Don’t roll your eyes, I have seen it happen…several times. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

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

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

In just 15 years, Chris Rubio, President and Owner of Rubio Long Snapping, has become the #1 Long Snapping instructor in the country and the go-to man when a college coach needs a Long Snapper. Colleges from across the country rely on “Rubio’s” word day in and day out on who the best Long Snappers are in the country. Rubio Long Snapping has assisted in over 1,000 Long Snappers earning full scholarships and preferred walk-on opportunities to major colleges and universities just for Long Snapping and many into the NFL as well.

 

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Filed Under: A.C.T., Athlete, College, Eligibility, Graduating, Graduation, High School, Long Snapper, N.C.A.A., Recruiting, S.A.T. Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

What Makes a Long Snapper Great?

March 3, 2011 By

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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


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

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

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

Told you I could answer the question:)

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

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

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