Bunt defense 10U B

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Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
DD plays 2nd so do not shoot me.

At younger ages 2nd baseperson is generally the weakest IF, sometime weakest fielder on the field. Can be very attractive keeping the 1st baseperson on 1st.
 
Feb 15, 2017
391
43
DD plays 2nd so do not shoot me.

At younger ages 2nd baseperson is generally the weakest IF, sometime weakest fielder on the field. Can be very attractive keeping the 1st baseperson on 1st.

Very true. I had to abandon the idea of my weakest defender there because all of my pitchers can hum it pretty good. We get a ton of flares at second and weak ground balls that direction. Now I bury the biggest liability in left field.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
Here's the way we run it for my DD's 12U TB team - Bunt with runner at 1B...

F5 and F3 both crash.
F4 covers 1B.
F6 covers 2B.

If F5 fields the ball, F2 covers 3B. If anyone else fields the ball, F5 turns back to cover 3B.

Video of our bunt coverage on the left side, with a runner at 1B...


In this clip...Ball is fielded by F5. F2 covers 3B, with backup by F7. Since F5 fielded the ball, crashing F3 covers home. F1 watches the action (although F1 was near the ball, F5 has a better path of travel to make the play more efficiently).
Not seen...F4 covers 1B, with backup by F9. F6 covers 2B, with backup by F8.
 
Sep 11, 2014
229
0
Pa
When I managed a 10 B team we did this. F3 stayed at 1, F4 covered 2, F6 went to 3. F1 covered right side of field, F5 covered left side, F2 would get what she could. Still used that coverage in 12 C (could have easily been B but only really had one pitcher unfortunately). I also used that coverage in 14-18 Rec ball, with mostly high school players that didn't play travel and it worked great. F2 has options to throw to whatever base she wants depending on base runners.
 
Feb 15, 2017
391
43
Video of our bunt coverage on the left side, with a runner at 1B...


F2 covers 3B.....


All due respect I think having P2 huff it down to 3B with all the gear on is as crazy as having them chase the runner down the 1B line for backup....

Hardest working kid on the field and I want her covering the plate. I would rather give up 3B to get the out at 1B
 
Feb 15, 2017
391
43
When I managed a 10 B team we did this. F3 stayed at 1, F4 covered 2, F6 went to 3. F1 covered right side of field, F5 covered left side, F2 would get what she could. Still used that coverage in 12 C (could have easily been B but only really had one pitcher unfortunately). I also used that coverage in 14-18 Rec ball, with mostly high school players that didn't play travel and it worked great. F2 has options to throw to whatever base she wants depending on base runners.

I think this is the strategy I will employ. Less to go wrong, keeps the good gloves home but gets the job done. My F5 has crazy wheels - just need to get her instincts for the dead sprint charge.

Which leads to my next question- charge with the hands up in case of a pull back slap? We did this at the older ages after seeing too many close calls. I would rather see one go under the glove than lay out my player.
 

Greenmonsters

Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
Feb 21, 2009
6,168
38
New England
All due respect I think having P2 huff it down to 3B with all the gear on is as crazy as having them chase the runner down the 1B line for backup....

Hardest working kid on the field and I want her covering the plate. I would rather give up 3B to get the out at 1B

Piece of cake for any real catcher. And if it isn't, then you've got someone playing out of position. IMO, a coach's job is to develop players by teaching them the skills needed to play the game right, regardless if they're 8 or 18.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
All due respect I think having P2 huff it down to 3B with all the gear on is as crazy as having them chase the runner down the 1B line for backup....

Hardest working kid on the field and I want her covering the plate. I would rather give up 3B to get the out at 1B

By all means, teach it the way you think is appropriate for the level of your players. My goal is to teach what my players will need for the next level.

If you don't get coverage on 3B, good teams will take that base in a heartbeat. Personally, I'm not a fan of giving the lead runner a free pass to 3B. F2 is already moving out from behind the plate. In this scenario, she's just continuing her path another 50 feet. Depending on where F7 is playing, F2 may get there a lot faster.

I don't think F2 backing up 1B is crazy.
 
Last edited:
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
Piece of cake for any real catcher. And if it isn't, then you've got someone playing out of position. IMO, a coach's job is to develop players by teaching them the skills needed to play the game right, regardless if they're 8 or 18.

You provided a very general opinion, do it right. I agree but can you expand on that.
 

Greenmonsters

Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
Feb 21, 2009
6,168
38
New England
You provided a very general opinion, do it right. I agree but can you expand on that.

Eric has it right - that basic coverage will serve you well through the end of time. Rather than work on the gimmick coverages that have serious flaws beyond 10U or 12U, why not spend that time focussing on the fundamental throwing and catching skills needed to effectively implement the basic coverage.
 

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