Can the Center Run the Ball Instead of Snapping It?
If you’ve ever watched a football game and thought, What if the center just kept the ball and ran with it instead of snapping?, you’re not alone. It’s one of those questions that seems simple but quickly opens up a rabbit hole of rules, strategy, and football logic.
So, can the center legally run the ball instead of snapping it? The short answer is technically yes, but practically no—and here’s why.
The Role of the Center in the Snap
The center’s primary job is to snap the ball—either handing it off in a direct snap (like in the shotgun formation) or sending it between his legs to the quarterback under center. This is what officially starts the play.
But here’s the catch: the snap must be clean and legal. According to the rulebooks of most football leagues (NFL, NCAA, high school), the center must release the ball in a way that constitutes a proper snap. That means he can’t just hold onto it and take off running like a running back.
What If the Center Tries to Run the Ball?
If a center picks up the ball and runs forward before legally snapping it, several things can happen:
- Penalty for an illegal snap – The officials will blow the play dead, and the offense will likely be penalized (usually a 5-yard penalty).
- Play doesn’t count – Even if he manages to run forward, the refs won’t let it slide. The snap is a required part of starting the play.
However, if the center executes a legal snap (meaning the ball leaves his hands in a controlled way) and then somehow regains possession, he could run with it. But that’s a completely different scenario than just refusing to snap in the first place.
Can a Trick Play Make This Happen?
While a center can’t simply run the ball off the snap, creative play-calling can lead to trick plays where the center gets a chance to handle the ball. Some possible scenarios:
- Fumblerooski (now mostly illegal) – This was a legendary trick play where the center would legally snap the ball but immediately place it on the ground for a teammate (often a guard or running back) to pick up and run with. While the direct Fumblerooski is banned in the NFL and NCAA, variations of the concept still exist.
- A lateral or backward pass after the snap – The center could legally snap the ball, then receive a lateral or backward pass from the quarterback, making him an eligible ball carrier.
- Fake punt or field goal plays – In special teams situations, a center might snap the ball and then recover a fumble or take a lateral to advance the ball.
Has a Center Ever Scored a Touchdown?
It’s rare, but it has happened! Most of the time, a center will only get to carry the ball if there’s a fumble recovery or a trick play designed to confuse the defense. There are a handful of famous plays where centers have ended up in the end zone, but these are usually the result of chaos rather than design.
Final Verdict: Fun Idea, But Not Legal
While the thought of a center snapping the ball straight to himself and bulldozing downfield like a fullback is entertaining, it just doesn’t work under the rules of the game. The snap is a required, structured part of the play, and skipping it results in a penalty.
That said, if you ever see a center running with the ball in a game, pay close attention—because something unusual (and probably hilarious) just happened.
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Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
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