How to Properly Bunt a Baseball: Good Form and Technique for the Sacrifice

In the modern game that baseball has become, a place where fans wait for the three-run homerun or the 98 mile per hour fastball, power and speed have become the dominant factors. Countless coaches, from the big leagues all the way down through little league, manage games based on the big play. Rather than emphasizing how to bunt and run the bases, which are unquestionably the two skills most often forgotten yet most often to impact a game, coaches set hitters free and hope for a ball in the gap. In a sense, small ball has gone by the wayside.

However, when games are suddenly tight, with the playoffs on the line, managers revert to the old school tendencies and begin flashing the bunt sign. Far too often players fail to get the sacrifice bunt down, which angers the manager, for isn't it a simple skill? If left unpracticed, bunting is as difficult a task as driving the ball over the wall or hitting behind the runner on a hit-and-run. If coaches elect not to spend practice time on bunting, both on technique and situational application, how can they expect players to perform when called upon?

Therefore, if players have to bunt, as they should, and each player understands that regardless of who he is or where he is in the line-up that he must know how to bunt, and well he should, then teaching the proper form and technique becomes a critical aspect of any coach's offensive preparation.

As a high school baseball coach for the past fourteen years, I have seen the fundamental breakdown of players' basic skills, and, quite frankly, it is disturbing. The game needs to be played not only technically correct, but with situational accuracy. Failing to do so creates incomplete players who have a skewed perspective on the true demands of the game. Thus, consider the suggestions below when talking to players about getting ready to bunt well.

Position in the Box: Generally speaking, hitters like to stand toward the back of the batter's box, which gives them a touch more time when facing a pitcher with adequate pace on his fastball. Rarely will you see a player dig in toward the front portion of the box. However, when it comes to getting a sacrifice bunt down, have players move up in the box. By doing so, they can place the bat in front of home plate, thus in fair territory. This creates a much larger space in which to bunt versus standing deep in the box and bunting into what looks like a bowling alley. Remember that a sacrifice is not an attempt for a hit. You are trading the out for the advancement of the runners.

Squaring Around: The term "squaring around" is a bit outdated. Coaches now don't normally teach the traditional "squaring", a motion in which the player brings both feet around and points them toward the pitcher. This body position makes mobility difficult, especially if the pitch is up and in; it is viewed by some as too dangerous while others, like me, feel it takes the hitter out of an athletic stance thus denying good plate coverage and quickness leaving the box. Instead, try having players stand in a "heel-to-toe" position. The front foot should point toward the pitcher, the front knee should flex, and the back leg should swivel on the foot and end in a bent stance. The back foot should be toes down and heel up, with the hips to the shoulders being comfortably open yet not square to the pitcher's mound.

Bat Position: The barrel of the bat should angle slightly upwards, which is in an effort to help prevent popping the ball up. Most importantly, however, is that the player starts the bat at the top of the strike zone. If he does so, he knows that any pitch above his hands will be a ball, thus he should never raise his bat higher to bunt-only downward motions should exist in bunting. If a pitcher wants to walk you rather than let you bunt, let him. The hitter's top hand should slide up the barrel and come to rest just about two-thirds of the way up. This hand should never wrap the bat, as you don't want to break your fingers; instead, lay the barrel on the inside of your pointer finger and close the thumb on top. Make sure to leave space between the bat and the part of the hand that joins the pointer finger and the thumb. Having a relaxed top hand will help to deaden the ball. The bottom hand should slide a few inches up, and the fingers should hold the bat's handle; do not choke the bat back in your palm. The bottom hand is the steering wheel for the bunt. Push it out toward the pitcher as a right-handed hitter and you will send the bunt toward first; pull it in and you will bunt toward third.

Using the Knees: Players think they bunt with their hands, but they do not. They bunt with their knees. If the pitch is low, never change the angle of the bat. If you drop the barrel by lowering the top hand, you raise the risk of popping the ball up. Instead, use your knees like an elevator. Simply flex them down and bunt with a properly angled bat. Great bunters make quality adjustments with their knees.

Leaving the Box: The purpose of a sacrifice is to get the bunt on the ground; it is not necessarily to beat it out and get on base. So, do not begin running until you have completed the role of bunting. Do the job being asked. If you happen to beat it out, all is well; however, that is a bonus. Running early and popping up a sacrifice bunt can destroy the inning and eliminate the possibility for your team to score. Bottom line is you must get in on the ground before you begin to sprint out of the box.

Knowing the Situation: Having the right mindset when you get the bunt sign is critical. Take pride in doing it well. Part of successfully accomplishing a quality bunt is to lay it in the proper place. For example, if runners are on first and second, you want to bunt the ball down the third base side. While it may seem contradictory because the that is where you want the runner to go, if you bunt it there you pull the third baseman in to field it, thus leaving no one to cover the base. Likewise, if you have a runner on first, bunt the ball towards first. The first baseman has to hold the runner on, so he will break late to the plate. The third baseman, however, will charge hard. If he fields it, he may have a play to get the lead runner. Rarely, if ever, will the first baseman get to the ball in time to even contemplate throwing to second.

Overall, bunting is a skill that, if done well, can win many games. Though it will never win you a college scholarship or get you an ESPY, it will make you and your team better.