From “Functional Football”
By John DaGrosa

W.B. Saunders Company, Publishers
1936

CHAPTER II

Individual Offensive Backfield Fundamentals

Backfield Stances
The backfield stance is a relaxed crouch or semistanding position, behind the line of scrimmage, on balls of both feet, feet being parallel or one behind the other, with comfortable spread of legs to start quickly for blocking and receiving ball, for pass, run or kick. Every backfield should adopt the same stance from the beginning to the end of a game to avoid “telegraphing” — giving their movement or play away. It is important that a perfect stance be obtained at all times in order to obtain speed, power, and drive, which are the objectives of perfect starting.

Whatever type of stance is adopted, the following posture and physical elements are absolutely necessary:
1. Feet spread apart.
2. Weight balanced on balls of feet.
3. Both hands completely relaxed.
4. Ability to move fast in any direction.
5. Quick starts.
6. Split vision.

Types of Stances
Each type of stance has its strong and weak points, advantages and disadvantages. The most popular types follow, with explanations of each:

A. Upright Stance — Back stands erect with hands on hips or extended downward with fingers completely relaxed, weight balanced on balls of foot, or with both hands resting on knees, arms straight and head up.

B. Semi-upright Stance — Back has both knees bent, both parallel to the line of scrimmage and about two feet apart, and both forearms resting across the thighs, with hands and fingers relaxed, weight balanced on balls of feet.

C. Crouch Stance — Back has both knees bent, one hand on ground, other forearm across thigh. Either foot may be slightly back and the weight balanced on balls of feet, rump low.

D. Modified Sprint Stance — Back has both knees bent, right leg back, right hand down, left forearm across left thigh. Rump low, weight balanced on balls of feet.

E. Squat Stance — Used only by a back who squats directly behind the center, both hands on respective thighs or on the center’s rump.

Modern football requires backs to work on tackles and ends, and they should therefore, assume a crouch or modified sprint stance to give them the necessary drive, quick starting, and power to take tackles or ends. Backs who are deep enough to be able to receive the ball should use an upright or semi-upright stance, so as to make handling of the ball and running right, left, or forward much easier.

Advantages of the crouch and modified sprint stances are: They force the center to make a low pass which is well hidden and also tend to hide the backs from the secondary, and at the same time produce good drive and a quick start forward.

Disadvantages of the crouch and modified sprint stances are: They make it hard for a back to start fast laterally and also make it much harder to receive and handle the ball. A back is also thrown off balance by the tendency to throw too much weight on the hand that is down. Back, likewise, cannot get a clear view of situation.

All backs should assume perfect stances, observing the following “don’ts”:
1. DON’T lean.
2. DON’T point feet.
3. DON’T look at hole.
4. DON’T look in direction play will go.
5. DON’T take eyes off ball.
6. DON’T change position.
7. DON’T wet fingers to make passes.
8. DON’T concentrate on man to be blocked.
9. DON’T hitch pants when about to receive ball.
10. DON’T dry hands on jersey when about to receive ball.

The advantages of the upright and semi-upright stances are: They give more balance, safer ball handling, faster starting to left or right, more complete relaxation, more ease to pivot on deception plays, better view of teams.

Disadvantages are: Slower starts for backs, secondary gets clear view of backs, passes come up higher.

Snap & Go!
Adam
adam_wesoloski at yahoo.com