All fielders need to get in the set, ready position before the ball is released from the pitcher. as the pitcher stands tall on the mound the fielders behind her should be in the set position. The set position for an infielder requires the infielder to bend her legs with her glove resting either on her things or knees. As the pitcher initiates her motion from the mound the fielders behind the pitcher should be in the ready position. The fielder’s knees should be bent comfortably. The fielder’s feet should be placed slightly wider than shoulder width apart. The fielder’s arms should be placed comfortably out in front of her body, but not too far as to disrupt her balance. At the moment the ball crosses home plate, the fielder’s palms should be relaxed and directed inward and slightly upward, about body width apart. The hands should be extended naturally with glove open to the hitter and low to the ground. The throwing hand should be positioned above the thigh angled to the ground so that when the ball is fielded the throwing hand can serve to cover, gather and throw the ball in a quick motion.
The fielder’s weight should be distributed evenly on the balls of her feet. With the correct balance the fielder will be in a position to push off in all directions easily and quickly, maximizing the fielder’s ability to take an aggressive approach to the batted ball. Some coaches emphasize bending the back in the ready position. While the infielder wants to be comfortable in order to initiate her athletic move on the release of the pitch, she does not want to impair her balance by bending her back too much to cause the sensation of falling forward. as the pitch is released the infielder should take to short steps to begin her athletic move. At this point the infielder must be on the balls of her feet. The physics of this ready position supports the belief that a player in slight motion is better able to field a ball than a player who is flat footed awaiting a ball hit in her direction. The set-ready position is instrumental for beginning proper fielding fundamentals. The fielder should have the constant mindset that the ball is coming to me, the ball is coming to me, on every pitch. Finally, an entire team that demonstrates pitch after pitch that they are in unison with the set-ready position establishes an imposing team preparedness.