Sentence:  In a harness belay, the <WSD>stance</WSD> itself is the belayer's first line of defense, reducing the load the anchor must hold. The anchor in this case serves as little more than a backup (albeit a critical one) to the <WSD>stance</WSD>. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  A foothold or ledge on which to set up a belay.