3-point stance

A 3-point stance puts one hand on the ground with the feet about shoulder-width and a slight stagger, hips loaded and weight balanced so you can fire out or pull either way. It's the base run-blocking stance for most linemen and the default for defensive linemen who want to explode forward off the snap. The trade-off is that it can tip your intent if your weight or stagger is too obvious — so Coach Jay teaches a balanced, neutral down stance that doesn't tell the defense whether run or pass is coming. The opposite is the 2-point (standing) stance many offensive linemen use in pass-heavy situations.

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

Related trench terms

2-point stanceO-Line

A standing stance with the knees bent, used by O-linemen in pass-heavy situations.

4-point stanceD-Line

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

First stepBoth sides

The initial 6-inch power step. Most plays are decided by the first step.

StaggerBoth sides

How offset your feet are. Heavy stagger = a clear pass/run tell; small stagger = a neutral stance.

Sugar stanceBoth sides

A stance that's lighter on the down hand, designed to disguise pass vs. run intent.

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