A proper stance is fundamentally important to being a good catcher. There are two basic stances to learn, a relaxed stance and a ready stance. Click the images for more information on each stance!

Relaxed Stance

A general stance most catchers use with the bases empty and less than two strikes is called a relaxed stance. The relaxed stance begins by squatting with your feet shoulder-width apart. Keep your hips and shoulders square to the pitcher and your feet straight across or slightly staggered. Stay low and in a comfortable position. Relax your receiving arm (mitt hand) and point your palm at the pitcher. Place your throwing hand behind your back or behind your shoe. Present the pitcher with a good low target. Read more about a relaxed stance.

Ready Stance

Use the ready stance with runners on base and/or two strikes on the batter. In both cases you need to be ready to block a wild pitch or quickly throw out a base runner. The ready stance is simply a raised squat where the weight is now on the balls of your feet instead of the instep and your butt is slightly raised. Keep your hips and shoulders square to the pitcher, relax your receiving arm, and point your palm at the pitcher. Place your thowing hand in a fist behind your mitt. Present the pitcher with a good low target. Read more about a ready stance.

Catching 101
OnBaseball.com