The best softball bunting drills give hitters many short, focused repetitions: catching the ball with the bat, controlling the angle, and placing the bunt in a target zone on either baseline. Start with soft toss and tee work to build the stance and bat angle, move to front toss and a pitching machine for speed, then finish with pressure games where hitters must place a bunt to score points. Ten minutes a day of good bunting practice beats an hour once a week.
This guide explains why bunting matters so much in fastpitch, the basic technique, and eight drills that take a player from beginner to reliable bunter, with a sample practice plan and the most common mistakes.
Why bunting matters in softball
Softball bases are only 60 feet apart and infielders play close to the batter, so a well-placed bunt puts huge pressure on the defense. A sacrifice bunt moves a runner into scoring position, a bunt for a hit can beat out a throw from a charging fielder, and even the threat of a bunt pulls the corners in, opening space for slaps and hard-hit balls. Teams that bunt well score runs in close games when big hits are hard to come by.
Bunting technique in brief
- Square or pivot: either turn the feet to face the pitcher (square) or pivot on the balls of the feet while keeping the back foot in place. Pivoting is quicker and gives less away.
- Bat at the top of the zone: hold the bat at the top of the strike zone so you only move down to meet pitches. Anything above the bat is a ball.
- Top hand up the barrel: slide the top hand up to the label, fingers behind the bat, to protect them.
- Catch the ball: let the ball hit the bat and “give” slightly, as if catching an egg, to deaden it.
- Angle the bat: the angle of the barrel decides the direction. Point it toward first or third base to place the ball on that line.
- Bend the knees: go down to low pitches with your legs, not by dropping the bat head.
Eight bunting drills
| Drill | Skill it builds | Setup | Reps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bat catch | Soft hands | Partner tosses from 10 feet; hitter catches the ball on the bat without letting it roll far | 20 |
| Tee angle drill | Bat angle | Ball on a tee at the top of the zone; hitter pushes it to cones on each baseline | 10 per side |
| Target zones | Placement | Cones or hoops 10 to 15 feet up each baseline; points for landing in a zone | 15 |
| Front toss bunts | Tracking and timing | Coach tosses underhand behind a screen from 20 to 30 feet | 20 |
| Machine bunts | Game speed | Pitching machine at game speed; hitter bunts every pitch in the zone | 15 to 20 |
| Bunt and run | Finishing the play | Bunt, then sprint to first while a coach times the run | 8 to 10 |
| Pressure bunts | Execution under stress | Hitter must place three bunts in a row in a zone before rotating out | Until success |
| Situational bunts | Decision-making | Coach calls sacrifice, squeeze or bunt for a hit before each pitch | 10 to 15 |
How to run the drills in practice
Stations work best for bunting. Split the team into groups of three or four and rotate every five to seven minutes through the tee angle drill, front toss and target zones. Each hitter gets dozens of bunts in a short time and no one stands in line for long. Once a week, add pressure bunts and situational bunts so players learn to execute when it counts.
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 0 to 5 minutes | Bat catch warm-up in pairs |
| 5 to 20 minutes | Stations: tee angle, front toss, target zones |
| 20 to 30 minutes | Machine bunts and bunt and run |
| Once a week | Pressure and situational bunting game |
Common bunting mistakes and fixes
- Stabbing at the ball: pushing the bat toward the pitch makes the ball roll too hard. Let the ball come to the bat.
- Bat below the ball: dropping the barrel causes pop-ups. Keep the bat level or slightly above the ball.
- Bending at the waist: reaching down with the arms instead of the legs changes the bat angle. Bend the knees.
- Squaring too early: showing bunt long before the pitch lets the defense charge. Pivot late on a hit-bunt.
- Fingers around the bat: the top hand should pinch the bat from behind, keeping fingers out of the ball’s path.
- Watching the ball roll: on a bunt for a hit, run as soon as the ball is down.
Bunting rules to know
A bunt that goes foul with two strikes is ruled a strikeout in fastpitch, so hitters must be confident before bunting with two strikes. A batter who contacts the ball while a foot is completely outside the batter’s box is out. In most slowpitch codes, bunting is not allowed at all.
Rules reference: USA Softball Official Rules of Softball, the NCAA Softball Rules Book and the NFHS Softball Rules Book. High school, college and recreational leagues can differ, so check your league.
Setting up a bunting station
Bunting practice works best as a short, focused station within a larger practice. Place cones or hoops down the first- and third-base lines as targets, use a pitching machine or a coach throwing from a shortened distance, and give each hitter a set number of bunts before rotating. Keep a simple score so players compete to land the most bunts in the target zones. A five- to ten-minute station several times a week builds far more skill than one long session.
Bunting for different situations
| Situation | Bunt type | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Runner on first, no outs | Sacrifice bunt | Move the runner to second |
| Fast batter, corners playing back | Bunt for a hit | Reach base safely |
| Runner on third, close game | Squeeze bunt | Score the run |
| Corners charging hard | Push bunt past the pitcher | Beat the charge |
Practise each type separately, then mix them in game-like situations.
Tracking bunting success
Record every bunt attempt in practice and games, noting whether it was fair, in the target zone, and whether the runner advanced. Over a few weeks, these numbers show which hitters are reliable in pressure situations and which need extra reps. Share the results with players so they can see their own improvement.
Staying safe while bunting
Always wear a batting helmet with a face guard during bunting drills, and keep fingers behind the bat barrel to avoid being hit by the pitch.
Frequently asked questions
How can I bunt without popping the ball up?
Start the bat at the top of the strike zone and keep the barrel level or slightly above the ball, bending your knees for low pitches.
Should I square or pivot to bunt?
Pivoting is faster and hides the bunt longer, so most coaches teach it for sacrifice and bunt-for-hit situations.
How often should players practise bunting?
A few minutes at almost every practice builds consistency better than occasional long sessions.
