What is an illegal snap in football?

An illegal snap in football occurs when the center snaps the ball before the referee has given approval to start the play. This can happen if the center snaps the ball before the quarterback is ready or before the referee has blown the whistle to signal the start of the play.

Illegal snaps can result in penalties for the offensive team, typically a false start penalty, which results in a 5-yard penalty being assessed against the offense. This can put the offense in a difficult position, as they will now have to gain more yards to convert a first down or score a touchdown.

Illegal snaps can also disrupt the timing and flow of the offense, as the quarterback may not be expecting the snap to come so soon, leading to a botched play or turnover. It is important for the center to wait for the referee's signal before snapping the ball to avoid penalties and maintain proper execution of the play.