What does the term 'snap' refer to in football rules?

The term 'snap' refers specifically to the action of hiking the ball, which is the process where the center passes the ball back to the quarterback or another player to initiate the play. This is a fundamental aspect of football because it marks the start of each offensive play. The snap is critical as it needs to be executed cleanly and quickly, allowing the quarterback or ball carrier to make their next move.

In contrast, the other options pertain to different aspects of the game. A delayed game penalty involves not starting a play within the time allowed, the act of throwing the ball refers to passing, and a method of scoring pertains to points awarded for plays like touchdowns or field goals, none of which accurately define the snap. Understanding the snap is essential as it sets the stage for every play in football.