Defensive Ready Position - Be Moving or Be Still?

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Jun 18, 2012
3,183
48
Utah
In a recent thread regarding bunting, on of the posts got me thinking about something regarding defensive players and their getting into their ready positioning. I argue that a player is quicker in her reaction if she's already moving as opposed to being in the traditional down and non-moving set position.

I would argue that a defensive player, regardless of position, would be quicker reacting to what the batter does if that defensive player is creeping forward as the ball reaches the batter.

All too often I see defensive players, particularly infield corners, getting down and set (without any further motion) only to be caught off guard because they are so use to stopping in their down and set positioning.

Again, I think a player is quicker in her reaction if she's still creeping forward as the ball reaches the batter rather than be in a stopped ready setup.
 
Jun 18, 2012
3,183
48
Utah
I agree. Our infield steps up on the pitch with knees bent ready to go any direction.

Yes, but are they still creeping as the ball reaches the batter? I would argue that they will be slower if they have stopped than they would be if they kept creeping.
 

KCM

Mar 8, 2012
331
0
South Carolina
I am not exactly clear with words on this computer. But yes what you are saying. Movement is maintained forward until the ball is hit in the direction they need to move. I hate watching them just bent over or standing straight up.
 
Jun 18, 2012
3,183
48
Utah
I am not exactly clear with words on this computer. But yes what you are saying. Movement is maintained forward until the ball is hit in the direction they need to move. I hate watching them just bent over or standing straight up.

I think we are in agreement. I hate the move into a set (non-moving) positioning, as I see it as being slower than moving in with no stopping. Again, easier/quicker to react if you're already moving than to react when not moving.
 
Feb 7, 2013
3,188
48
We had some UCLA players run one of our practices and they emphasized entering your circle of focus (or bubble). What does that mean? Between pitches the defensive players are relaxed and stinging straight up. As the pitcher goes into her windup, they take a step forward into their ready position with glove down, glove foot slightly forward, and 100% focused in the batter. So to answer your question both feet are on the ground and they have stopped moving forward by the time the ball reaches home plate. If they were actually moving forward, by defintion one foot would be off the ground and it would take a split second faster to change directions to move left or right to field a ball. When both feet are planted on the ground, you can immediately move to the ball in any direction.
 
Jun 18, 2012
3,183
48
Utah
I all too often see the corners (third-baseman and first-baseman) crouched down with both feet firmly on the ground as the ball is hit. I see this as an "OOPS!"

Again, you are quicker in your reaction if you are already moving than you are if you aren't moving at all.
 
Dec 20, 2012
1
0
What works best for us is to have the girls step up to their ready position and as the ball is pitched they start leaning forward to make a move if the ball is hit they finish the movement in the direction the ball has been hit, if the ball is not hit they have to take a step forward to finish the lean with a little practice this works pretty good.
 

Greenmonsters

Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
Feb 21, 2009
6,168
38
New England
I prefer stepping into a position so that both feet are on the ground w/ weight on the balls of the feet at the anticipated time of contact - like a basketball defensive position - a not dead still, athletic, coiled, ready to explode position. If you are moving forward significantly, it will take longer to move in another direction. That said, a fielder particularly an outfielder sometimes will be moving laterally based on observed pitch location
 
Jan 24, 2014
75
0
Michigan
Last spring I noticed my 9U daughter doing something much different at SS than I had seen before. She was almost standing straight up with her glove in front of her focused on the batter. When the pitch was in the process of being delivered she moved forward with the pitch and got into a very good defensive position on her toes and moving forward slightly. After the game I asked her "where did that new little move come from you were using out there?" She laughed and said "Sierra Romero and all the Michigan girls do it" (she's a huge fan of the Wolverines). Gotta think if the likes of UCLA and Michigan are moving into the pitch, it's probably something worth imitating.
 

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