Double diamond bunting drill

At a glance

Sport

Baseball and Softball

Skill

Bunting

Ages

10U to High school

Players

10 to 16, split across two diamonds

Time

About 15 minutes

Level

Intermediate

Equipment

Throw-down bases (eight), Bats and batting helmets, Gloves, Softer balls for a hard floor, A screen for each pitcher (optional)

Indoors

Yes

Bunts and bunt coverage are hard to practice in the winter because they seem to need a full infield. This drill fits two of them on one basketball court by setting the diamonds back to back, with the throws to first going away from the other group.

Each rep works both sides: the bunter gets a live pitch to put down, and the pitcher, catcher and corners have to charge, call the ball and make the throw while the middle infielder covers first. Two diamonds also keep twice as many players busy.

Setup

• Lay out two small diamonds with throw-down bases, back to back, so the home plates face away from each other and the throws to first do not cross.
• Put a pitcher, catcher, first baseman, second baseman and third baseman on each diamond.
• Line up bunters in helmets behind each home plate.

How to run it

1. The pitcher on the first diamond tosses or throws a soft strike.
2. The bunter puts a sacrifice bunt down in fair territory.
3. The fielders charge, one calls the ball, and the fielder throws to first while the second baseman covers the bag.
4. On every third bunt or so, the bunter drops the bat and runs it out to first to make the play live.
5. As the first diamond resets, the second diamond starts its rep. Rotate bunters into the field every few turns.

Coaching points

• Corners and the pitcher creep in as the pitch is thrown, ready to charge.
• Somebody calls the ball loud and early, every time.
• Fielders set their feet before throwing to first. A rushed throw on a gym floor gets away.
• Bunters catch the ball out front with a soft barrel and aim for a line.
• Use softer balls on a hard floor; bunts and throws skip faster than on dirt.

Common mistakes

• The second baseman getting to first late when the first baseman charges.
• Fielders throwing on the run without setting their feet.
• Nobody calling the ball, so two fielders stop and look at each other.
• Setting the diamonds so the throws cross, which is a safety problem.

Printable drill card

Take this drill to the field: the setup, steps, coaching points and equipment on one card, with the video's address to find it again. Free, no account needed.

Smaller: half page or quarter page (PDF).

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Frequently Asked Questions

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