As long as he moves the ball back slightly, could the centre pick the ball up and run? They can recover fumbles (not catch passes obviously) so is that allowed?
Hamilton could be in the shotgun, and the centre would barely move it back and barrel through the opposing line with the ball! I think that would be fun!
No,Center must let go of the ball, even if qb is not in shotgun, there must be a complete exchange of the ball, But the QB can hand the ball back to the Center. then Center could advance forward.
Also , play starts at the snap (hyke)of the ball, the tap play where the Qb tap the center and the ball is put in play without a snap count, qb then follows the center(in right situation these plays do work :thup: