Charging grounders is another skill the second baseman should master. A ground ball hit to second base is charged by the second baseman who in most situations has the advantage of seeing the play in front of her. Ideally the second baseman has quick feet and quick lateral movement. When charging ground balls the second baseman must remember to keep her glove low to the ground and in front of her. The fielder must have a steady glove and she charges the ball. Inexperienced fielders often lift their glove as they charge the ball. Likewise, when the fielder pursues a ball hit to either side of her she should maintain a steady glove low to the ground. A ball that takes an unexpected hop is much easier to defend if the glove is lower to the ground due to the common backspin that accompanies ground balls. A ball hit with backspin is far more likely to remain low to the ground as opposed to a ball hit with forward spin. The fielder’s instinct to position her glove up reacting to a high bounce is superior to her ability to get her glove low to the ground on a sudden change in the “hop” of the ball. Another characteristic that the middle infielder must possess is balance. Charging a ball is an athletic play that requires the fielder to maintain balance. Middle infielders should spend considerable time practicing charging balls.