THE CENTER’S TECHNIQUE in conducting the snap is a skill few coaches pay much attention to. Developing this skill can make an average center good and a good center great.

Centers cannot be treated like all other offensive linemen. There is an entire set of situations and positions that confront a player who starts every play with one hand between his legs. Very few centers have developed good fundamental techniques.

There are three areas that your center should focus on to find success:

1. Off-hand technique.
2. The snap-hand technique.
3. Coordination of the snap and first step.

Using The Off-Hand
All linemen need to be aggressive. A team who puts passive players on their offensive line will struggle to move the football. With the size and speed of defensive linemen, changing defensive schemes and increased blitzing, a center needs to utilize every advantage he can get.

All offensive linemen need to attack defenders with a hard, physical blow with the hands. The center cannot deliver a two-handed punch because of his exchange responsibilities. This makes the use of the off-hand punch a must. The blow must be delivered quick and forcefully, so the off-hand must be cocked and ready, not limp and resting on the thigh pad.

Your center should never have to wait until the ball is snapped before he can execute his block. Contact with the center’s off-hand to the middle of the defender and the snap into the QB’s hands should be simultaneous.

The off-hand punch is also used to keep separation between the center and the defensive lineman at the line of scrimmage. We call this a stabilizer. In conjunction with the punch, good posture will help your center maintain balance on initial contact. Too often, you will see a young player lunge forward to make shoulder contact after the snap, and the defender uses the center’s lack of balance to his advantage.

Increased separation, with the chest up in a balanced position, prevents players from falling down. Better balance will allow your center to maintain contact. Pad level, footwork and desire will not be a factor if your player is on the ground.

After The Snap
Once the ball has been snapped, attention must be paid to the snap-hand. Many centers are lackadaisical and sloppy with the snap-hand, bringing it back to the defender in a wide sweeping-type motion. This is highly ineffective and allows the defender to win the leverage battle by placing his hands on the center’s chestplate.

Teach your center to re-trace the path of the snap to gain aggressive, two-handed contact with the opponent. The follow-through of the snap-hand finishes the contact phase of the block and ensures the separation initiated with the off-hand. At this point, the center will now be in a traditional blocking position and can use the same skills as his linemates.

A player who is diligent with hand placement can overcome physical limitations of size, strength and speed by using superior technique.

First Few Steps
Stress to centers the importance of not waiting for the exchange to occur before beginning the block. A center must snap and step in unison so he isn’t a step behind the defender he is trying to block.

Countless players make the mistake of raising their hips and taking a false step before starting the block. Some players do this to increase the velocity of the snap, while others find their base is too wide for their stance. In either case, small movement of the hips can severely limit a player’s explosion and power out of the stance.

The best centers are masters of transforming all of these techniques into one fluid movement. For this reason, I have always felt the center should be one of your team’s best athletes.

You’ll be amazed at how quickly your centers master these skills when they realize how valuable these techniques are to success. They will feel more comfortable and feel as if they aren’t starting every play at a disadvantage.