should be on the balls of the feet not the heels.
2. Butt Down!
Having your butt down I feel is the most important part of the ready
position...if your butt is down the knees bend and the hands go
down with them. This gives balance, and allows those hands to get down
and keep those ground balls from rolling under the glove. If you see
a ball roll between a kids legs under his glove it is because the glove
wasnt down. I know you have heard or will hear coaches yell "get
your glove down!", Getting your "butt" down will help solve this.
4. Hands in Front
Two hands-Its not always possible but the ball should try and be fielded in
front of the body. Its easier to stop a ball you can see in front of you and
your body will also act as a barrier for any missed balls, thus keeping the
ball in front to easily be picked up and a play still being made or extra
bases not given up.
5.Eyes on the Ball
Its very difficult to catch what you cant see. Catch the ball in front with
two hands.
Its for safety too. I have seen several kids, and a few coaches get hurt
because of not simply paying attention to the ball.
6. Creep
As the ball is being pitched your players can take a couple of tiny steps to
get there body in motion. This will get them off their heels and it just is
easier to react once in motion. Watch a pro game sometime and you will
see what I mean.
Diamond Training Secrets! -
Click here to learn how to improve performance
Shortstop Ready Position Drill - a simple ready position drill
A simple drill to reinforce the ready position/fielding/and make the play at first
Do this first thing at every practice after players warm up throwing on sideline!
1. Line Players up at Shortstop/Coach at shortstop making sure ready
position is implemented/ Coach at first to catch/Coach at home to hit
ground balls
2. Hit ball to 1st player-fields ball throws to 1st starts a new line at 2nd base position
3. Repeat for every player
4. Start over hitting balls to 2nd and player throwing to first
REPEAT
This is a great way to get the kids ready,fielding, and moving, while adjusting throws from different lengths.
Baseball Ready Position
