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Bunt Defense Coverages
Bunt Defense Coverages
The typical layout of your defensive unit should have the 1st baseman playing in towards home about 3-5 feet. The 2nd
baseman and Shortstop should be positioned somewhere behind the baseline (depending on the age and level of
competition). The 3rd baseman should be positioned about 10-12 feet inside the bag towards home plate. This base
positioning dictates that the 3rd baseman, 1st baseman, pitcher and catcher are the four players in position to field the
ball. The ideal player to field the ball is the 3rd baseman. She needs to be the General on the field on bunt coverage
plays as she is the player moving towards the play at 1st base and she should have the best vision of the entire play. As
she is charging the ball, she needs to make the call as to who will field the ball. How many times have we seen 2 or more
players converge on the ball and think the other player will make the play only to make no play at all? Too many! The 3rd
baseman should be charging the ball and call the position of the player that is in the best position to make the play.
Probably the hardest bunt to field is the ball placed about 6 feet in front of home plate and down the 1st baseline. This is a
prime example where team chemistry will come in to play. The 3rd baseman will have to quickly assess who has the
best play on the ball. Typically, the catcher would be the preferred choice since her momentum is headed towards 1st
base; however, she may have been slow getting out of her position.
Option 1: 1B, 3B, Pitcher, and Catcher attack bunt. Shortstop covers 2nd Base. 2B covers 1B. RF backs up throw to first
base. CF moves to back up errant throw to RF then peels to backup potential throw to 2B. LF backs up throw to 3B.3B is
rd
covered by who ever out of the catcher and Pitcher does not field the bunted ball. (The 3 basemen may be in this mix if
st
you are protecting your pitcher from injury.) Note: Depending on the athleticism of your 1 Basemen, you may bring 2B in
to field the bunt and leave your 1B back. This is dictated by the overall situation.
Option 2: This is the MOST DISCIPLINED PLAY the shortstop will have to make. Her instinct is to cover 2nd base for a
steal, however, if she does that and the bunt is put in play, it will turn into a foot race between her and the runner to get to
3rd base (If the runner on 1st sees the shortstop at 2nd, she just continues running to 3rd knowing it's going to be a very
difficult play for shortstop to run from 2nd to 3rd and be in position to make a catch and tag). To play this correctly,
position the shortstop 5 feet closer to 2nd base so she is in position to cover the steal without having to break to the
base prior to knowing if the ball is successfully bunted. If the ball is not bunted, she covers 2nd base for the steal. If the
ball is successfully bunted she covers 3rd base. She can't cheat to cover 3rd base either, or if the runner on 1st is
stealing the shortstop will be out of position to take the throw. The leftfielder will take an angle to be about 20 - 30 feet
behind 3rd base and on the left field foul line to back up an errant throw.
Softball Bunt Coverage - Runners on 1st and 2nd Base – 1st
Basemen Back
Again, TAKE THE OUT AT 1ST BASE!!! 3B, Pitcher, and Catcher attack bunt. Shortstop covers 3rd Base. 2B covers
2B and 1B stays back a covers 1B. RF backs up throw to first base. CF moves to back up errant throw to RF and then
peels to back up throw to 2B. LF backs up throw to 3B.