Snapping instructor Chris Rubio just updated his new blog with a comprehensive examination of his answer to the question that I am frequently asked, “What Makes a Great Long Snapper?”  Rubio’s post examines this question by breaking down a number of qualities, such as speed, accuracy, consistency, size, athleticism, blocking, spiral and mentality.

Many college snappers often wonder what separates a great college snapper from those few who can snap at the professional level.  While all of the factors Rubio mentions are key to the position, I have found that consistency and blocking are particularly relevant.  As Rubio notes in his post, some high school and college systems do not require the snapper to block after the snap and this can be a key element as to which snappers can succeed at the professional level, where blocking is a must.