I did blame the offensive line...now I blame the clap

Oh what wonders a second clap would've done.

"We go on 2, or 3, or 4!" But nope, 1...every time. Kudos to MSU for taking advantage of that.

 
It'sNotAFakeID said:
Oh what wonders a second clap would've done.

"We go on 2, or 3, or 4!" But nope, 1...every time. Kudos to MSU for taking advantage of that.
Click to expand...
Just for everyone's knowledge, generally speaking, the "clap" is a silent count.

A lot like any other form of "silent count" there is most likely only one movement. Leg left, arm extended downward, etc., to notify the center that the QB is ready for the ball. Every now and then they'll change it up to two "claps", "leg lifts" or whatever.

The "count" isn't actually the motion the QB makes for the snap. The count is actually the amount of "head nods" the Center makes. For example, they could determine that they will go on 2. What that means is that the the ball is snapped after 2 "head nods". Count on 3, then it's 3 head nods.

There are many advantages to the "clap". This allows for the Center to be able to look downfield and read the D. The other silent counts require Center to watch the QB during all pre-snap stuff.

Chip Kelly's Eagles used one where Center was still able to look downfield by having the guard watch the QB pre-snap. Then taps the Center when QB is ready.

Disadvantage for all silent counts. Everyone on OL stares at the Center for those nods.

 
cg_8 said:
It'sNotAFakeID said:
Oh what wonders a second clap would've done.

"We go on 2, or 3, or 4!" But nope, 1...every time. Kudos to MSU for taking advantage of that.
Click to expand...
Just for everyone's knowledge, generally speaking, the "clap" is a silent count.
A lot like any other form of "silent count" there is most likely only one movement. Leg left, arm extended downward, etc., to notify the center that the QB is ready for the ball. Every now and then they'll change it up to two "claps".
Click to expand...
Not in the Michigan St. game they didn't.

 
True2tRA said:
cg_8 said:
It'sNotAFakeID said:
Oh what wonders a second clap would've done.

"We go on 2, or 3, or 4!" But nope, 1...every time. Kudos to MSU for taking advantage of that.
Click to expand...
Just for everyone's knowledge, generally speaking, the "clap" is a silent count.
A lot like any other form of "silent count" there is most likely only one movement. Leg left, arm extended downward, etc., to notify the center that the QB is ready for the ball. Every now and then they'll change it up to two "claps".
Click to expand...
Not in the Michigan St. game they didn't.
Click to expand...
Very true.

It makes me sick that we didn't adjust to a different silent count. It should not even be a question once anyone on our sideline notices that it's an issue. Perhaps Beck really wanted the Center reading the field pre-snap so badly that he didn't have another way to utilize silent count without the Center looking downfield. It wasn't worth it.

As much as we think these guys "game plan" there had to be knowledge of MSU's utilization of claps for line movement and how to counter that. It kind of seems like there wasn't. Poor game planning, even worse adjusting.

 
cg_8 said:
It'sNotAFakeID said:
Oh what wonders a second clap would've done.

"We go on 2, or 3, or 4!" But nope, 1...every time. Kudos to MSU for taking advantage of that.
Click to expand...
Just for everyone's knowledge, generally speaking, the "clap" is a silent count.

A lot like any other form of "silent count" there is most likely only one movement. Leg left, arm extended downward, etc., to notify the center that the QB is ready for the ball. Every now and then they'll change it up to two "claps", "leg lifts" or whatever.

The "count" isn't actually the motion the QB makes for the snap. The count is actually the amount of "head nods" the Center makes. For example, they could determine that they will go on 2. What that means is that the the ball is snapped after 2 "head nods". Count on 3, then it's 3 head nods.

There are many advantages to the "clap". This allows for the Center to be able to look downfield and read the D. The other silent counts require Center to watch the QB during all pre-snap stuff.

Chip Kelly's Eagles used one where Center was still able to look downfield by having the guard watch the QB pre-snap. Then taps the Center when QB is ready.

Disadvantage for all silent counts. Everyone on OL stares at the Center for those nods.
Click to expand...
I did not see this in the Mich State game and the announcers did not either. I did see the snap on Armstrong's clap and the defensive ends were in the backfield before our linemen moved. The average reaction time for humans is about 3/4 second. The defensive ends can see Armsstrong start to clap and their 3/4 reaction starts then. The offensive linement cannot see the QBack so they have to wait for the sound or for the center to move his arms. The clap is a very bad method. Our linemen need the advantage of knowing the snap count so they can get their 3/4 reaction started before the defensive line can initiate their reaction. Our linemen need to cross the line of scrimmage and make contact under the defensive linemen's pads to start turning their shoulder as they rise out of their stance. The clap negates the advantage to our linemen.

 
You're going to have to worry about the clap this year. It will take opponents a while to figure out to wait until the play clock hits :01 and go.

 
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