Trench Lab · O-Line · Fundamentals · Coach Jay Freeman
Offensive line stance: 2-point vs 3-point, and how to set it
A good offensive line stance has a flat back, knees bent around 120°, eyes up, and a slight foot stagger (about 4 inches). Coach Jay Freeman has run the 2-point stance as his default since 2018 because it lets you see the whole front and fire off the ball; the 3-point stance puts a hand down with about 60/40 weight for short-yardage and base run blocking.
By Coach Jay Freeman · 32 years coaching the line · Updated May 31, 2026
The 2-point stance — the modern default
Coach Jay Freeman has made the 2-point stance his default since 2018. With no hand on the ground, you can see the entire front, you're already in pass-pro posture, and you can still fire off the ball in the run game. Set a flat back, bend the knees to about 120°, keep your eyes up, stagger your feet about 4 inches, and load your hands ready at the thighs.
The 3-point stance — base run blocking and short yardage
The 3-point stance puts a hand down on the ground under your shoulder with roughly 60/40 weight (back to hand). The down-side thigh is near parallel to the ground, the back stays flat, and the eyes stay up. It gives you more forward power off the ball, which is why it still belongs in short-yardage and downhill run schemes.
Universal stance rules
Whichever you use: flat back so power transfers, eyes up so you see the picture and protect your neck, weight on the balls of your feet (never the heels), and a stagger that matches your job. Too much weight forward and you get pulled; too much back and you can't fire. The stance is the foundation — every good rep starts here.
"Two-point since 2018. You see the whole front, you're already in your pass set, and you can still knock people off the ball. Flat back, eyes up, weight on the balls of your feet." — Coach Jay Freeman
Common questions
- Is a 2-point or 3-point stance better for offensive linemen?
- Coach Jay Freeman uses the 2-point stance as his default since 2018 — it lets you see the whole front and is already in pass-pro posture while still allowing you to fire off the ball. The 3-point stance offers more forward power and is best for short-yardage and downhill run schemes.
- How much knee bend should a lineman have in his stance?
- About 120° of knee bend, with a flat back and eyes up. That angle keeps you loaded to fire out while staying balanced enough to react in pass protection.