The QB School Show: Episode 27 - Why Do Quarterbacks Clap for the Snap Count?

The QB School studio equipment:

[MikaeIe]

Here’s my guess before watching the video:

QB’s clap for the snap count so that the vibrations from the clap travel to the center’s crotch, thus elevating their reaction time to snapping the ball to the QB.

[allenmitchell]

Hey JT, I know you played with the riders for a bit, and I thought it might be interesting to do a video on differences between CFL and NFL schemes, and if there was anything worth borrowing from the CFL for US offenses or vice versa. I know the freeze or stop count would be one thing that I don't see NFL teams use much. The NFL game is starting to resemble the CFL more and more with more shovel/option plays, and 4 and 5 receiver sets.

[ryan.andersen]

Been using a clap cadence for six years and I can count the number of false starts we've had on one hand. As long as your center doesn't get too repetitive with when he snaps the ball it's an easy way to keep the defense a little off balance.

[lukeruff]

What kind of vocal training/exercises to quarterbacks use so their offenses can hear them in loud stadiums?

[skaoaooakkzkksnowpack]

1:37 don’t forget about Arrowhead, THE LOUDEST STADIUM IN THE WORLD. #chiefskingdom

[Bomberfootball]

What’s awesome is that you can even use a clap as a silent count in a place like Death Valley. Qb claps to let most of offense (that can maybe hear) that ball will be snapped imminently. Center who can most likely hear, looks back for the signal. However, Oklahoma and Michigan had to stop using this method at Neyland and Happy Valley respectively because it gets up to 116 DB

[nickvoelker]

I tried to teach the clap to my youth QBs. Guess who can't clap loud enough to be heard? 10y/o kids, haha. That said, I prefer the clap from the gun, it seems to work better and is less complex than other techniques. Plus the D really keys in on the clap, and you can pick up one or two offsides penalties a game using the fake clap.

[luisnewton]

I play Quarterback in Germany and my offense coordinator once told me he doesnt want me to clap. He didnt tell me why but otherwise he doesnt care about my snap count or cadance so I just do whatever I feel like.

[TheBurninator]

They're just feeling the beat, JT!

[nobelpeaceprizeloser]

Lol at my boy clowning Arizona like that! You did em dirty haha!

[raymondchu]

Hey, J.T.! If it's possible, could you please go over in a video about leadership books that you would recommend? Also, what advice would you give to young people who are looking to develop their leadership abilities, but may not have much leadership experience?

[nnaas]

I‘m „just“ a Fan watching football and I hate the clapping thing 😂 the vocal snapcount is a nice part of watching football, I think. So I hope that this doesn‘t prevail.

[alvinolamar]

When gameplanning against zone pattern match defenses do OC’s try to learn each defender’s rules to a coverage? It essentially ends up being man coverage at the top of the routes with a couple of double teams and some one on one matchups too. Can offenses treat quarters as traditional spot drop cover 4 and rip/liz match as traditional cover 3. etc?

[jorge_]

Before watching, I’m guessing they do it because maybe the stadium is too loud and they players don’t hear them yelling

[chuck]

I know a few female Seahawk fans, and it is not that hard of a time getting away with the clap, it's almost certain

[michaelgorrell]

@JT ever have problems with the Defense clapping? Would that be a penalty?

[curtmastor]

Clap snap count takes the reaction time advantage away from the offensive line.

[codyfullmer]

How you tell when it's the qb clapping or if the defense starts clapping to get you to jump or snap the ball early?

[apocalypse]

Can't believe I'm so early in here

[abuibu]

Can a defender clap to fool the Center into snapping early?