What Is a Silent Count in Football?

by Bobby R. Goldsmith

Football is a game of timing. Nearly every aspect of the game depends on timely execution of a particular play. For the offense, the moments leading up to the snap of the ball are crucial to success, and each of the 11 players on the field must react in unison to ensure a successful play. Any player that jumps into action too soon will receive a false-start penalty, and the team will lose 5 yards. Often a quarterback will use a counting system so that none of the players spring into action before the ball is snapped. A silent count is one effective method used to keep the offensive on the same page in noisy, adverse situations.

Snap Count Basics

The snap count begins when the quarterback yells “Set!” to freeze the offense in place in preparation of beginning the play. Typically, once the quarterback declares “Set,” offensive players must not move until the ball is snapped. The snap count is a set amount of time between the set declaration and the snap. This may be as little as half a second, or it may be several seconds. The quarterback will tell the offense what the count will be while in the huddle. The count may be an audible, with the quarterback yelling a series of code words to the offense in a sort of countdown, or the count may be silent, taking place in the heads of each offensive player.


Silent snap counts are necessary when the opponent’s defense has figured out the code words, or when the offense is likely to snap the ball based on gestures or previously executed plays. Defensive players who can successfully anticipate the snap count can get an effective jump and more easily break through the offensive line to disrupt the play before it materializes. The silent count helps remove audible and gestural cues that tip off defenders before the snap. Silent counts are especially effective in close-yardage situations near the goal line, or during pivotal third- or fourth-down conversion plays.


Silent counts come with several drawbacks. Primarily, no matter how well a coach scripts it, and no matter how thoroughly an offense practices it, the silent count depends on each of 11 players to count down silently in their own heads at the exact same rate. In the heat of the game, a player may easily lose focus and count down too quickly and react too soon, causing a penalty. Also, if an offense uses a silent count too often, the opponent’s defensive will acclimate to that count, and develop the ability to anticipate how many beats before the ball is snapped.

Special Plays

Silent counts are also effective for executing special plays, such as quarterback draws and sneaks, as well as trick plays and gadgets such as direct snaps to a running back, flea flickers, Statue of Liberty plays and others. Used sparingly for specific situations and plays, the silent snap count can keep a defense from adequately anticipating the snap. For close fourth-down conversions of less than 5 yards, silent snap counts combined with meaningless audible cues can cause a defender to jump offsides and secure the offense a 5-yard gain.

About the Author


Photo Credits

  • Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
Suggest an Article Correction