Six Official ClinicSix Official ClinicSpring 2012 Spring 2012

The Importance of The Importance of Pre-Snap RoutinePre-Snap Routine

Murray Drinkwalter #96

““Before everything else, Before everything else, getting ready is the secret to getting ready is the secret to success” ………… Henry Fordsuccess” ………… Henry Ford

Why are pre-snap Why are pre-snap routines so important?routines so important?Keeps your head in the game and Keeps your head in the game and

helps to maintain focushelps to maintain focusEnsures that you don’t miss Ensures that you don’t miss

anythinganythingEnsures consistency from play to Ensures consistency from play to

playplayFollowing the routine in blow-out Following the routine in blow-out

games helps you stay focusedgames helps you stay focused

When does the pre-When does the pre-snap routine begin?snap routine begin?

After the ball is ready for playAfter the ball is ready for playPrior to that you are dead ball Prior to that you are dead ball

officiatingofficiatingIn cases of hurry-up or no-huddle In cases of hurry-up or no-huddle

offences the pre-snap routine offences the pre-snap routine may run concurrent to dead ball may run concurrent to dead ball officiating officiating

Pre-Snap: RefereePre-Snap: RefereeClock StatusClock StatusDown, Distance, Yard Line, Sticks setDown, Distance, Yard Line, Sticks setSubs in/out and first count of offenseSubs in/out and first count of offenseEnsure crew is setEnsure crew is setSubs in/out and signal ready for playSubs in/out and signal ready for play If possible listen to huddleIf possible listen to huddle

Pre-Snap: RefereePre-Snap: RefereeUpon huddle break, check formation Upon huddle break, check formation

and second countand second countConfirm count with Line UmpireConfirm count with Line UmpireEnsure own positioningEnsure own positioningWho is ‘in the box’ for BBW? Who is ‘in the box’ for BBW? Crew Communication!Crew Communication!

Pre-Snap Keys: Pre-Snap Keys: RefereeReferee

Is Q.B. under centre or shotgun?Is Q.B. under centre or shotgun?Formation - Backs in or out/tight Formation - Backs in or out/tight

ends?ends?Centre, guard, tackle on your sideCentre, guard, tackle on your sideTackles don’t lie! Is their weight Tackles don’t lie! Is their weight

forward or on their heels?forward or on their heels?Listen for communication from both Listen for communication from both

teams.teams.

Pre-Snap: Line UmpirePre-Snap: Line UmpireClock StatusClock StatusDown, Distance, Yard Line, Sticks setDown, Distance, Yard Line, Sticks setPosition ball and first count, face Position ball and first count, face

offenseoffenseRemind referee of timing (hold or go)Remind referee of timing (hold or go)Stay over ball until directed to leave Stay over ball until directed to leave

by referee by referee

Pre-Snap: Line UmpirePre-Snap: Line UmpireUpon huddle break, check formation Upon huddle break, check formation

and second countand second countConfirm count with RefereeConfirm count with RefereeEnsure own positioningEnsure own positioningCheck for eligible receivers on the Check for eligible receivers on the

inside and point if required (5 interior inside and point if required (5 interior lineman)lineman)

Crew Communication!Crew Communication!

Pre-Snap Keys: L.U.Pre-Snap Keys: L.U.Centre, guard, tackle on your side Centre, guard, tackle on your side Formation Formation Listen for communication from both Listen for communication from both

teamsteams

Pre-Snap: Head Pre-Snap: Head Linesman Linesman

Clock StatusClock StatusDown, Distance, Yard LineDown, Distance, Yard LineSticks set? Proper down? Clip?Sticks set? Proper down? Clip?Subs in/out, sideline clearSubs in/out, sideline clearCheck downfield - determine hold or Check downfield - determine hold or

free and signalfree and signalCountCount

Pre-Snap: Head Pre-Snap: Head Linesman Linesman

Upon huddle break, gates up, proper Upon huddle break, gates up, proper positioning, sideline clear positioning, sideline clear

Eligible receiver on end/try and make Eligible receiver on end/try and make it legal it legal

Full yard by defenseFull yard by defenseBe prepared to rule on a pre-snap Be prepared to rule on a pre-snap

L.O.S. foul and blow play dead L.O.S. foul and blow play dead Crew Communication!Crew Communication!

Pre-Snap Keys: H.L.Pre-Snap Keys: H.L.Formation determines your Formation determines your

receiver(s) keyreceiver(s) keyPeek at the tackle on your sidePeek at the tackle on your sideNumber of receivers on your sideNumber of receivers on your sideListen for communication from both Listen for communication from both

teamsteams

Pre-Snap: Line JudgePre-Snap: Line JudgeClock StatusClock StatusDown, Distance, Yard LineDown, Distance, Yard LineSubs in/out, sideline clearSubs in/out, sideline clearCheck downfield - determine hold or Check downfield - determine hold or

free and signalfree and signalCountCountUpon huddle break, gates up, proper Upon huddle break, gates up, proper

positioning, sideline clear positioning, sideline clear

Pre-Snap: Line JudgePre-Snap: Line JudgeEligible receiver on end/try and make Eligible receiver on end/try and make

it legal it legal Full yard by defenseFull yard by defenseBe prepared to rule on a L.O.S. foul Be prepared to rule on a L.O.S. foul

and blow play deadand blow play deadCrew Communication!Crew Communication!

Pre-Snap Keys: L.J.Pre-Snap Keys: L.J.Formation determines your Formation determines your

receiver(s) keyreceiver(s) keyPeek at the tackle on your sidePeek at the tackle on your sideNumber of receivers on your sideNumber of receivers on your sideListen for communication from both Listen for communication from both

teamsteams

Pre-Snap: Back Judge Pre-Snap: Back Judge Clock StatusClock StatusDown, Distance, Yard LineDown, Distance, Yard LineCount and check off with partnerCount and check off with partnerPositioning Positioning Listen for communication from both Listen for communication from both

teamsteamsCrew Communication!Crew Communication!

Pre-Snap Keys: B.J.Pre-Snap Keys: B.J.FormationFormationWhere is the strength?Where is the strength?EligiblesEligiblesPick up your receiver(s)Pick up your receiver(s)

Pre-Snap: Back UmpirePre-Snap: Back UmpireClock StatusClock StatusDown, Distance, Yard LineDown, Distance, Yard LineCount and check off with partnerCount and check off with partnerSet/signal deep positioning Set/signal deep positioning Listen for communication from both Listen for communication from both

teamsteamsCrew Communication!Crew Communication!

Pre-Snap Keys: B.U.Pre-Snap Keys: B.U.FormationFormationWhere is the strength?Where is the strength?EligiblesEligiblesPick up your receiver(s)Pick up your receiver(s)

Common ThemesCommon ThemesCLOCK STATUSCLOCK STATUSDOWN, DISTANCE, YARD LINEDOWN, DISTANCE, YARD LINECOUNTINGCOUNTINGPROPER POSITIONINGPROPER POSITIONINGREADING YOUR KEYSREADING YOUR KEYSCREW COMMUNICATION !CREW COMMUNICATION !

What does this all What does this all mean?mean?

If we all establish a pre-snap routine, If we all establish a pre-snap routine, work with our natural partners and do it work with our natural partners and do it every play we will establish consistency every play we will establish consistency both as individuals and as crews.both as individuals and as crews.

Once that consistency is established, Once that consistency is established, the pre-snap routine will become the pre-snap routine will become second nature and will be done without second nature and will be done without thought.thought.

What does this all What does this all mean?mean?

We can then anticipate the action of We can then anticipate the action of the play, but not the result. This will the play, but not the result. This will allow us to read and react to each allow us to read and react to each and every play and complete our job and every play and complete our job successfully.successfully.