A snap infraction is a penalty in football that is called on the center when they move the ball before the snap, but after the offensive linemen have already set up. The center is allowed to move the ball and position it to his liking prior to getting set, but once the team is set, the ball cannot be moved without being penalized. A snap infraction is essentially a false start penalty on the center, and it is a deceptive play thats meant to draw the defense offsides. The penalty for committing a snap infraction is a loss of five yards from the line of scrimmage. The center can be called for an illegal snap if they pick up the ball or push it forward, rotate the ball around end-to-end, or remove both hands. In the NFL, an illegal snap occurs when a center fails to snap the ball in one continuous motion.