Stance ( American football ) 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 . ) . Overview . In the National Football League ( NFL ) , the average amount of plays per game is over 60 per team . 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 . 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 . Variations . Commonly used stances are the two - point , three - point , and four - point . Two - point stance . The two - point variation is the most upright 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 . 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 . 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 o - lineman this will be the foot away from the ball ; for a d - 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 lineman will use it to keep this push from happening . Technique . 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 . Proposed bans . 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 .