2-point stance

A 2-point stance is a standing stance — no hand on the ground — with the knees bent, weight balanced, and the hands ready. Coach Jay has taught the 2-point as his default pass-protection stance since 2018: it's faster out of the snap into a pass set and it removes the false-start and run/pass tells that a heavy 3-point stance can give away. You give up a little first-step run-blocking power, which is why many linemen still drop into a 3-point in obvious run downs. For modern, pass-heavy offenses the 2-point is the answer most often — it lets you Play Long with your hands and get to your spot without telegraphing anything.

Defined by Coach Jay Freeman — 32 years coaching the offensive and defensive line.

Related trench terms

3-point stanceBoth sides

One hand on the ground, both feet shoulder-width, hips loaded. The standard lineman stance.

Pass proO-Line

Pass protection — the O-line’s job of keeping rushers off the quarterback.

45° setO-Line

Coach Jay's default pass set — kick on a 45° angle to close the rusher's path and meet him square at your spot, instead of dropping straight back (the vertical set).

Play Long / Play CondensedBoth sides

Play with your hands out in front and long (a long strike radius means your feet move less); keep your body condensed and knees bent (little steps, never straighten up).

4-point stanceD-Line

Both hands on the ground. Used by some D-linemen in short-yardage situations for maximum get-off.

Go deeper

• Coach Jay’s lineman training library — the technique behind the term →
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