The three-point stance is one of the basic building blocks for young players. Good coaches will teach stance technique over and over, until a player instinctively starts from a correct stance. The 3-Point Stance is typically used by: on offense - the guards, tackles, tight-ends, and fullback; on defense - the nose guard, and defensive tackles.
Defensive lineman should be in their three-point stance as soon as the offensive center gets over the ball. When the center moves the ball on the snap, the defensive should spring into action.
Offensive lineman will break the huddle, hustle to the line of scrimmage and get their feet set, elbows resting on thighs. They will get into their three-point stance when the quarterback calls, "Ready!" Offensive players will remain in their stance until the snap count called in the huddle. For example, if the cadence is Ready Set Go, and the call is "On Set", the center will snap the ball and the lineman will fire out on "Set".
Proper Stance
- Place feet shoulder-width apart, in a heel-to-instep relationship, with the dominant foot back.
- The down hand can be either side. I prefer the same side as the dominate foot, although the picture above (of a North Carolina Tarheel) is the opposite. Put very little weight on the down hand to allow for quick forward, backward, and lateral movement.
- You should be ON YOUR TOES, not your heels. Feet should be pointed straight up the field.
- Place your up elbow loosely across the thigh.
- Keep your back straight, with your head cocked slightly up to see what is in front of you. If you can't see, slightly bend your legs and arch your neck.
Improper Stance
- The Frog – Your head is up, but you are squatting like a frog. This means your back is tilted downward. Take some bend out of your knees and straighten your back to level.
- Lazy-heel – You're sitting back on your heels. This also means you do not have any weight on your down hand and probably won't be going anywhere fast. Put a little more weight on your hand, and rise up onto your toes. Remember, there is NO PART OF FOOTBALL played on your heels. Stay on your toes!
- Sprinter's stance – Your back is flat, head is up, but you are stretched out like Michael Johnson in racing blocks. One foot it up, one is far back. If you had racing blocks, this might enable fast movement in ONE direction – forward, but for football, this will not work. Bring your feet closer together, but stay shoulder width apart. It should feel comfortable. Take a little weight off your down hand. The first step in football is always quick and short in the direction you are going.
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