Bunt coverages

Setup

1. Full infield, a pitcher on the mound and a catcher in full gear. Outfielders can play their backup jobs or join the bunting line.
2. A batter in a helmet bunts; the rest of the bunters wait in a line well behind the backstop side of the plate, outside the swing zone.
3. A runner in a helmet takes a lead off first. Check your league's rules on leading off for younger groups.
4. The pitcher throws firm but well below full effort, from the stretch. Count these throws and keep each pitcher's set short (about 10 to 15 throws), then swap pitchers. A coach can feed from in front of the mound instead to save arms.

How it runs

1. The pitcher comes set, checks the runner and delivers. The batter squares and bunts; anything not bunted is just caught by the catcher.
2. On the bunt, the first and third basers charge, the pitcher comes straight off the mound, the second baser runs to cover first and the shortstop covers second.
3. The fielder who gets to the ball first fields it. The catcher calls the base loudly: 'Two!' if there's time to get the lead runner, 'One!' if not.
4. The fielder throws to the called base. The batter-runner runs hard to first in the running lane; the runner on first runs on the bunt.
5. Six bunts, then rotate bunters, runners and pitchers. Every few rounds add a runner on second as well (see coaching points).

Coaching points

• Runner on first: 1B holds, then charges; 3B charges; P covers the middle; 2B covers first; SS covers second; LF backs up third, RF backs up first.
• Runners on first and second: 3B decides to charge or stay; P breaks hard to the third-base line so 3B can cover third; SS covers third if 3B charges; 2B covers first.
• Catcher: you have the whole play in front of you, so make the call early and loud. Field bunts close to the plate yourself.
• Fielders: charge, then slow down and get the body square to the target before throwing. Field with two hands, or barehand only a ball that has stopped.
• Call for the ball ('Mine! Mine!') so two charging players never collide.
• Fielders covering a base set up beside it and leave the runners a clear path; standing in the base line without the ball is obstruction.
• The batter-runner runs the last half of the way in the running lane on the foul side of the line; running inside it and being hit by the throw can be interference.

Common mistakes

• Everybody charging and nobody covering first.
• Throwing to second out of hope after a slow start and getting nobody.
• Rushing the throw and sailing it past first with the runner going to third.
• Catcher quiet, so fielders guess the base.
• Pitcher falling off the mound and not getting to the ball.