Mastering the Infield: The Ready Position and the Hop on Contact
The Infield Ready Position
Start here by listening to the great Harold Reynolds talk ready position and why with some great visuals:
Before the pitcher even releases the ball, a good infielder is already engaged in the play. We owe it to our pitcher to be locked in when he is. That means we’re not just standing there—we’re making reads, expecting a hit, and thinking where is this ball going? The only way to make plays early and get ahead of the ball is by being hyped up, excited for the pitch, and physically ready to explode toward the ball.
The Hop on (or Just After) Contact: Timing is Everything
The smartest baseball players on the planet have got to be right—watch the Caltech Beavers doing the hop.
The hop is a small, controlled jump that gets an infielder’s feet off the ground just as the batter swings. Landing softly on your toes just after the ball is hit puts you in the perfect position to explode in any direction.
MegRem explains it and shows some great clips.
Coach Rac's Breakdown
Rebounding is Key
The most important part of the hop isn’t just landing—it’s coming out of the hop fast. The rebound of the jump is what gives you incredibly fast reaction time. You’re not just hopping for fun; you’re loading your legs to explode in any direction. Trying to move fast from a standstill—or worse, standing there with your hands on your knees—is never going to get you that Gold Glove.
Reading the Ball Off the Bat
- Ground ball? Get low, field out front, don’t let it eat you up.
- Line drive? React instantly, hands ready. This isn’t dodgeball, don’t flinch.
- Pop fly? Quick first step, eyes up, don’t be the guy running in when the ball is sailing over your head.
Drills to Master the Hop
- Mirror Drill – Have a coach or partner fake a pitch while you work on your hop on contact.
- Reaction Drills – Toss tennis balls or small baseballs in different directions right after the hop.
- Slow-Mo to Full Speed – Start slow, exaggerating the hop and reaction, then build up to game speed.
- Pitch-to-Glove Drill – Have one coach pitch to another who is catching. Infielders should time their hop to land right as the ball reaches the catcher’s glove.
- Hop-Down, Jump-Up Drill – Players start in a low stance, then perform a controlled hop, landing softly before immediately pushing off and jumping slightly upward.
The Science of the Baseball's Hop
How a baseball hops along the ground is a whole different thing. There’s a science to it that can help you estimate your best move—whether it's stepping back, moving forward, or charging in. Learning to read the ball's bounce early will make you an even better fielder. But that’s a lesson for another day.
Put This on Repeat
Final Thought: The Hop is a Mindset
This isn’t just about technique—it’s about commitment. The best infielders want the ball. They’re expecting the ball. And because of the hop, they’re already in position to make the play.
So next time you take the field, remember: don’t wait, anticipate. Get in your ready position, make that hop on contact, and be the player who owns the infield.
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