Does the qb have to say something before the ball is snapped?

Question

example: ~silence~ *ball is snapped*

Answer 1

He absolutely can do that. Its called a silent count, or silent snap. Typically, if the QB is under center, he will flick the center, who will snap the ball to him. Remember, the play starts with the Snap of the ball, not when the QB says go. What you see in the NFL at loud stadiums when the QB raises his leg, is a silent count. He will raise his leg, and the center counts to three, and then snaps the ball. The whole team then goes on the snap.

Its also a good way to catch a defense napping. If you say "Down, Red, Set, GO!" every time for 30 straight plays, then all of a sudden, go silent, the defense doesn't know what to expect.

Answer 2

d_a_n_06 is exactly right. There is no penalty for snapping the ball without saying anything. Also the center can snap the ball when he sees a defender jump into the neutral zone. In a noisy stadium it is impossible for the outer linemen and receivers to hear the QB.

Answer 3

Hike or what they say is the signal to the center to release the ball into the quarterback's hands.  They don't technically have to say anything, but they need a signal.

Answer 4

not necessarily... the Bills used to imploy a "silent hike" where the center determined when to snap the ball to the QB, usually while in the shotgun formation.  

the guy you played with probably just wanted you to do a cadence so he could get a headstart on his assignment.... forget that.  hike the ball however you feel.  go silent.  go on "go", or "ready".  there are no hard rules when to snap the ball.

Answer 5

Yea dude..he looks around to make sure he doesn't need to call an audible or something and of course he says hike.... :)

Answer 6

Hike or Hut etc. otherwise its an offensive false start.

Answer 7

NO.

The quarterback does not have to utter a single sound.

The ball must be exchanged between the Center and the QB and there's no required stance for either...

One of the goals of a QB is to communicate with his team...

audibles change plays, change direction, cancel plays, and can confuse the defense. Having the initiative on the hike is also an important function of the "cadence"...

But no, theres no law or rule that requires the QB to say a thing.

Answer 8

Hike or Hut some time a tap or a word peyton manning some time taps the guy

Answer 9

It's a common misconception that the Quarterback has to call hike or hut before a snap. As long as the Linemen are in their proper down position for at least 1 full second the ball can be snapped. Often the snap is made when the QB taps the Centers Butt.

Answer 10

only if he wants to call an audible or rotate linesmen

sometimes stars like brady or manning will call useless babble rying to intimitate/confuse their opponents

Answer 11

are you kidding me, he says hike

Answer 12

i dont think u have to but it would be a good idea to say somehting... my team goes of set.

Answer 13

You can go with a tap to the center, or in the gun you can tell everybody to go get set, then lift your leg or signal some other way with your hand or something when everybody is set, then the center can snap when he's ready. It's a variation on what most every punt/placekick team does, except the upback/holder will usually say "set" to tell the center to snap when he's ready. People on the line just need to watch the person inside of them, and go when they go.

Whether he talks or signals, the qb is the one who decides when everybody is set. That cuts out on the timing issue.

Answer 14

my team goes on silent counts all time u just cant move until the ball is snapped