Drag bunting

I love this topic. As a RH hitter in HS 25 years ago I hit 7 HRs and probably had just as many drag bunts. Great tool, always wanted to be a lefty.

Coaching 17-18 ball for so many years, have had my share of LH bunters. I have always found the most successful of these players realized placement was more important than getting out of the box.

I have seen two techniques used. Both techniques involve some less than obvious cheating up in the box toward the pitcher (creating more fair territory), and choking the bat slightly.

The first, and most simple, was to pivot like the player was sacrifice bunting, squaring around at the very last minute (similar to a squeeze play). Important to focus that the bat head is out front and to have the mindset "barely fair or foul". Look for a fastball or breaking ball on the outer half.

The second technique, which requires more discipline, is to have the player crowd the plate, move up in the box, and open the front foot in a stepping motion toward 1B. Again, this is done like a squeeze bunt (pitcher's arm has reached it's highest point in delivery). By crowding the plate, the step towards first will bring the barrel of the bat into the proper zone over the plate. Must be disciplined to get the bat head out front. The move towards first has a tendency to decrease the potential to kinetic energy transfer that normally occurs, therefore deadening the ball off the bat some. Player is more likely to bunt this ball directly back to pitcher, so having a more pronounced pivot of the bat knob towards 1B is very important.

Hope this isn't too confusing. Please follow up if need be.

By the way, he should bunt about 1000 of these before he gets started next month.

Tip: step toward pitcher w/ back foot. common problem is kid wants to run before he bunts the ball. don't always have to take the ball w/ you (right side). Bunt first then run. Obviously angle bat to side you want to bunt, just be careful about starting out of the box to 1st too early...... please do not confuse my language w/ sac bunting. Hope it helps. Walk through it in front of a mirror and see difference in taking back foot toward pitcher first -vs- first step w/ front (right) foot.

Can you clarify what you mean by step toward pitcher with back foot? Where do you expect the back foot to be when the bat makes contact with the ball. I will have a follow-up question once you answer this question.

Thanks!

The back foot (left handed hitters left foot) will strike the ground about the same time you bunt the ball. The purpose being, you are not running away from the ball before you bunt it. Recognize pitch as best you can and bunt strikes. We are talking about left handed hitters correct?

Look at the way some fastpitch players try to slap hit a ball. and then use that same technic in bunting the ball.
Not quite as much running out of the box before you bunt it though.
Ichiro has a great drag bunt move if you can get a video clip.

Thanks for the info! Do you think that in addition to trying to bunt it down either line, attempting to push bunt it past the pitcher towards the second baseman or SS is a legitimate strategy?

drag bunt - lh - 1. on delivery rotate hands back a little. 2. step with right foot toward 3b. 3. slide hands up bat and bring bat forward. 4. looking for pitch middle-in. 5. at contact shift weight to front foot nad cross back foot over to run. 6. bunt - then run.

push bunt - lh - 1. move up in box. 2. looking for pitch up and over the plate. 3. step right foot toward 3b as hands go back. 4. shift weight to front foot 5. perfect or foul.
these are the techniques we use. we teach the same techniques on bunting as coach delmonico at univ. of tennessee