Bunt defence coverage

Setup

1. Infield in place: pitcher, catcher in full gear, 1B, 2B, SS and 3B. Face masks are recommended for the pitcher and both corners, who are close to the bunter.
2. A runner in a helmet stands on first; a bunter in a helmet with a face guard is in the box. Use a double first base if your competition does.
3. Corners start a few steps in from their normal spots, ready to charge.
4. Agree the coverage first: 1B and 3B charge, 2B covers first, SS covers second. If 3B fields the bunt, the SS or LF covers third, depending on your team's system.

How it runs

1. The pitcher pitches at half pace to the bunter, who squares and bunts. The runner leaves on the release, not before.
2. On the bunt, 1B and 3B charge, the pitcher comes off the circle towards the ball, and the catcher pops up.
3. The catcher calls who fields it and where to throw: 'One!' for first, 'Two!' for second.
4. The fielder throws to the 2B covering first or the SS covering second. The bunter runs through the orange half of a double base where used.
5. Six bunts, then rotate bunters and runners. Coach can tell the bunter where to place it.

Coaching points

• Corners: charge on the bunt, glove low, and field it with two hands or bare-hand only if it has stopped.
• Catcher: you see everything, so you call it, loud and early.
• Fielder: on a sacrifice, take the sure out at first unless the catcher calls 'Two!'.
• 2B: get to first early, foot on the inside of the base, and give a big target clear of the runner.
• Throw to the inside of first, so the ball doesn't cross the runner's path.
• Pitcher: finish the pitch in a fielding position, then go for balls in front of the circle.

Common mistakes

• Two fielders going for the same ball and colliding because nobody called it.
• Nobody covering first because the 2B was watching the bunt.
• Fielder hurrying the throw to second and getting nobody out.
• Corners charging before the bunter squares, leaving them exposed to a slap or a full swing.
• Runner leaving first before the pitch is released.