Stance is the position an American football player adopts when a play begins. There are three common stances used by linemen: two-point, three-point, and four-point. The stance names reference the number of points where a player's body is touching the ground while down in the stance. Each technique has its own strengths and weaknesses; therefore, each one is used accordingly in different situations. Furthermore, stances are taught and used differently depending on the level of competition (little league football, high school football, college football, etc.).
In the National Football League (NFL), the average amount of plays per game is over 60 per team.[1] This means that, in one game, a lineman playing the entire time could enter a stance more than 60 times. However, it is not likely to be the same stance every time. Furthermore, it is important to remember that the offensive team must remain still for one second prior to the ball being snapped. This means that once an offensive player has become set in a stance, he must stay in it until the ball is snapped and the play begins. Additional motion can result in a false start penalty.[2] Defensive players, on the other hand, are permitted to shift as much as they want before a play. It is possible for a defensive lineman to line up in one stance and then change to another just before the play begins. He can even shift his body to another place.
Two-point stanceedit
The two-point variation is the most upright stance. Another name for the stance is the universal stance. The two-point is used by offensive linemen to facilitate better pass blocking because it increases their initial field of vision and gives more reaction time (to stay in front of a rushing player). Consequently, it is usually only used in a situation that will require passing.[3] Some defensive linemen employ this stance to pass rush because they naturally obtain more quickness and agility out of it (particularly the defensive ends).
Techniqueedit
The "two-points" on the ground in this stance are just the feet. They are placed shoulder width apart pointing forward. One of the feet is staggered back, for an offensive-lineman this will be the foot away from the ball; for a defensive-lineman it will be the foot towards the ball. While in this stance the player's center of gravity will be slightly lowered by bending at the knees and waist. Weight is kept away from the heels to promote quickness and agility out of the stance in any direction.[3]
The most common variation is the three-point stance. The purpose of this stance is to give the player leverage and allow more of their legs' power to be used. This is the offensive lineman's most used stance. It allows them to easily stay low and move in any direction at the snap of the ball. The interior defensive lineman use this stance for the same reason; however, it is usually slightly adjusted.
Techniqueedit
The added "point" is the player's strong hand on the ground (the down-hand). In higher divisions of play, ambidexterity between down-hands is required. A player entering the stance begins in a two-point stance; the player's staggered foot will be on the same side as the down-hand. The player then bends the knees and waist until the thighs and back are nearly parallel to the ground. The down-hand is merely an anchoring point for offensive linemen; typically, very little weight is put onto it. Offensive linemen may have to move in any direction so it is counterproductive to put weight on their down-hand (this only facilitates forward movement.) However, defensive players usually put more weight on their down-hand to have a more explosive start as they almost always go forward. This gives them the power of their legs coupled with forward momentum for a stronger push.
Four-point stanceedit
The least common variation is the four-point stance. This stance is used for maximum explosion and leverage in one direction (straight ahead of the player). Offensive linemen will typically only use it if they need to force the line forward only inches. Interior defensive linemen will use it to keep this push from happening.[3]
Techniqueedit
The added "point" in this stance is the other arm. It is simply a three-point with the other hand put down. However, the hands in this case are allowed as much of the body's weight as the feet.[3]
Proposed bansedit
The three-point stance has become a staple in every football game. However, this has drawn attention to the danger it puts players in. The NFL has gained bad reputation because of the players' long-term and sometimes life-threatening complications brought about by head injuries. The NFL's commissioner, Roger Goodell, has stated the possibility of banning the three-point stance because it makes linemen more likely to initiate head-to-head contact.[4]
Referencesedit
^Rankings, Predictions, Picks and Odds for NBA, NCAAB, NFL, NCAAF and MLB, TeamRankings.com, 26 January 2011.
^Rule Book: Position of Players at Snap, NFL.com, 26 January 2011.
^ abcdHutchison, Coach. "The 3 Stances of Offensive Linemen", 24 January 2011.
^"Roger Goodell: Ban on 3-point Stance Possible". Boston Herald. Associated Press. 8 February 2010. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
January 01, 1970
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Stance is the position an American football player adopts when a play begins There are three common stances used by linemen two point three point and four point The stance names reference the number of points where a player s body is touching the ground while down in the stance Each technique has its own strengths and weaknesses therefore each one is used accordingly in different situations Furthermore stances are taught and used differently depending on the level of competition little league football high school football college football etc Donald R Deskins in a three point stance Contents 1 Overview 2 Two point stance 2 1 Technique 3 Three point stance 3 1 Technique 4 Four point stance 4 1 Technique 5 Proposed bans 6 ReferencesOverview editIn the National Football League NFL the average amount of plays per game is over 60 per team 1 This means that in one game a lineman playing the entire time could enter a stance more than 60 times However it is not likely to be the same stance every time Furthermore it is important to remember that the offensive team must remain still for one second prior to the ball being snapped This means that once an offensive player has become set in a stance he must stay in it until the ball is snapped and the play begins Additional motion can result in a false start penalty 2 Defensive players on the other hand are permitted to shift as much as they want before a play It is possible for a defensive lineman to line up in one stance and then change to another just before the play begins He can even shift his body to another place Two point stance editThe two point variation is the most upright stance Another name for the stance is the universal stance The two point is used by offensive linemen to facilitate better pass blocking because it increases their initial field of vision and gives more reaction time to stay in front of a rushing player Consequently it is usually only used in a situation that will require passing 3 Some defensive linemen employ this stance to pass rush because they naturally obtain more quickness and agility out of it particularly the defensive ends Technique edit The two points on the ground in this stance are just the feet They are placed shoulder width apart pointing forward One of the feet is staggered back for an offensive lineman this will be the foot away from the ball for a defensive lineman it will be the foot towards the ball While in this stance the player s center of gravity will be slightly lowered by bending at the knees and waist Weight is kept away from the heels to promote quickness and agility out of the stance in any direction 3 Three point stance editMain article Three point stance The most common variation is the three point stance The purpose of this stance is to give the player leverage and allow more of their legs power to be used This is the offensive lineman s most used stance It allows them to easily stay low and move in any direction at the snap of the ball The interior defensive lineman use this stance for the same reason however it is usually slightly adjusted Technique edit The added point is the player s strong hand on the ground the down hand In higher divisions of play ambidexterity between down hands is required A player entering the stance begins in a two point stance the player s staggered foot will be on the same side as the down hand The player then bends the knees and waist until the thighs and back are nearly parallel to the ground The down hand is merely an anchoring point for offensive linemen typically very little weight is put onto it Offensive linemen may have to move in any direction so it is counterproductive to put weight on their down hand this only facilitates forward movement However defensive players usually put more weight on their down hand to have a more explosive start as they almost always go forward This gives them the power of their legs coupled with forward momentum for a stronger push Four point stance editThe least common variation is the four point stance This stance is used for maximum explosion and leverage in one direction straight ahead of the player Offensive linemen will typically only use it if they need to force the line forward only inches Interior defensive linemen will use it to keep this push from happening 3 Technique edit The added point in this stance is the other arm It is simply a three point with the other hand put down However the hands in this case are allowed as much of the body s weight as the feet 3 Proposed bans editThe three point stance has become a staple in every football game However this has drawn attention to the danger it puts players in The NFL has gained bad reputation because of the players long term and sometimes life threatening complications brought about by head injuries The NFL s commissioner Roger Goodell has stated the possibility of banning the three point stance because it makes linemen more likely to initiate head to head contact 4 References edit Rankings Predictions Picks and Odds for NBA NCAAB NFL NCAAF and MLB TeamRankings com 26 January 2011 Rule Book Position of Players at Snap NFL com 26 January 2011 a b c d Hutchison Coach The 3 Stances of Offensive Linemen 24 January 2011 Roger Goodell Ban on 3 point Stance Possible Boston Herald Associated Press 8 February 2010 Retrieved 24 January 2011 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Stance American football amp oldid 1177110800 Two point stance, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
