Bunt Coverage

Every fielder's job on a sacrifice bunt with a runner on first: charge, cover and back up, then get the sure out at first.

Setup:

• The full defence, a runner leading off first and the coach bunting from home.

Execution:

• The coach bunts down the third-base side.

• The third baseman charges and fields the ball while the first baseman crashes from the bag.

• The second baseman sprints to cover first and the shortstop covers second.

• The pitcher breaks toward the plate, then peels off to cover third once the third baseman has the ball.

• The catcher calls the play, and the outfielders back up first, second and third.

• The third baseman throws to the second baseman covering first for the out.

Coaching points:

• The catcher is the only voice. They call who fields it and where it goes.

• Second baseman: get to first and set up as a target. Don't watch the bunt.

• Take the sure out unless the lead runner is an easy play.

Progressions:

• Bunt to different spots: down the first-base line, back to the pitcher, a hard bunt.

• Let the runner read the bunt for a live decision at second.

• Run it with runners on first and second.