Roughing the snapper

[gopher2]

3rd and 40.  The offensive line is getting whooped.  A is playing B with an odd front, nose over C.  A's QB lines up at 4 yards then shifts back to 7 yards prior to the snap.  On the snap B immediately hits the center/snapper while A's QB punts the ball.  Is this roughing the snapper and automatic first down?

[Bobref]

54 minutes ago, gopher2 said:

3rd and 40.  The offensive line is getting whooped.  A is playing B with an odd front, nose over C.  A's QB lines up at 4 yards then shifts back to 7 yards prior to the snap.  On the snap B immediately hits the center/snapper while A's QB punts the ball.  Is this roughing the snapper and automatic first down?

The snapper is afforded protection from immediate forceful contact only when the offense is in “scrimmage kick formation.” The formation you described does not qualify and, therefore, affords the snapper no protection. Here’s the rulebook definition of SKF:

ART. 2 . . . A scrimmage kick formation is one in which no player is in position to receive a hand-to-hand snap from between the snapper's legs, and at the snap, either:

a.A player is in position with a knee on the ground 7 yards or more behind the line of scrimmage, in position to be the holder and receive the long snap and with another player 3 yards or less behind that player in position to attempt a place kick; or

b.A player is 10 yards or more behind the line of scrimmage and in position to receive the long snap.

Edited September 23, 2025 by Bobref

[gopher2]

10 yds, thanks