what is an illegal snap in football

An illegal snap is a penalty in football that occurs when the center fails to snap the ball in one continuous motion. Legally snapping the ball is handing or passing it backward from its position on the ground with a quick and continuous motion of the hand or hands. An illegal snap can only be called on the offensive team since they are the only players that can snap the ball. The result of an illegal snap penalty is a loss of five yards. In other words, an illegal snap is a snap that doesnt directly leave the center's hand or doesn't go to a back. Essentially, it's a false start penalty on the center, who is allowed to move the ball and position it to their liking prior to the snap.