| Few attempts were found in the past five decades of football research to quantify measures of long snap biomechanics. The purpose of the study was to compare the joint movements, velocities and body positions used to perform fast and accurate long snaps in high school (HS) and university level (UNI) athletes. Other purposes were to determine the kinematic variables related to greater release velocity within these groups (Pearson product-moment correlation); also to determine which variables are significant predictors of release velocity or total snap time* (TST) for HS, UNI, and both groups combined* (stepwise multiple regression analysis). Ten HS and ten UNI subjects were recruited for filming. The athletes performed snaps at a target with the fastest and most accurate trial selected for analysis. Eighty-three variables were measured using Dartfish TeamPro 4.5.2 digital video analysis software, with Microsoft Excel and SPSS 16.0 being used for statistical analysis. Several significant comparisons to long snapping technique between groups were noted during analysis, however, the body position at critical instant showed the greatest number of significant differences. The UNI athletes had a significantly greater release velocity (l5.l5m/s) and left elbow extension velocity (752°/sec) than the HS group (13.21m/s and 498°/sec). HS athletes had significantly higher release heights and release angles. TST (release time + total flight time) had the strongest correlation to release velocity in HS (r=-0.915) and UNI snappers (r=-0.918). The study suggests high school long snappers may benefit from less elbow flexion and more knee flexion in the backswing (set position) to increase release velocity. University long snappers were found to benefit from increased left elbow extension range of motion (force production) and decreased shoulder flexion at critical instant to increase long snap release velocity. |
