Guide
How to bunt in baseball
A bunt is a deliberate soft tap of the ball into the infield without a full swing. Players bunt to move a runner over, to get on base, or to surprise the defense. It is a skill every player should know, and it starts with a safe grip, a quiet stance and a bat held still in the strike zone.
What a bunt is and why teams use it
In a bunt, the batter does not swing. Instead the batter holds the bat out in front of the body and lets the ball hit it, or taps it with a short, gentle push. The ball rolls slowly in fair territory, forcing a fielder to run in, pick it up and throw. Because the ball is slow, a runner often has just enough time to advance.
Bunting shows up for four main reasons.
- To move a runner over. This is a sacrifice bunt. The batter usually accepts being thrown out at first so a runner can advance a base.
- To reach base. A bunt for a hit or drag bunt tries to beat the throw to first, usually by a fast runner.
- To score a runner from third. This is a squeeze play.
- To change the defense's thinking. A fielder who has to charge in is not in a position to field a hard-hit ball.
Grip and stance for a sacrifice bunt
The most common beginner technique is the square-around, where the hitter turns the body to face the pitcher. Some coaches teach a pivot, where the hitter turns on the feet but keeps one foot in place. Either way, the goal is the same: the bat is in the zone and the eyes are on the ball.
- Slide the top hand up the barrel to near the thick part, with the fingers behind the bat, not wrapped around the front. Pinch the bat gently between the thumb and fingers so the fingers stay out of the way of the ball.
- Keep the bottom hand at the knob or on the handle for control.
- Bend the knees rather than the back. Lowering the body lowers the bat, so the player can follow a low pitch without lifting the head.
- Hold the barrel out in front and slightly up, so the bat meets the ball in front of the plate. A bat that points slightly upward gives a pop-up less chance than a bat pointing down.
- Watch the ball into the bat. Let it hit the bat. Pull the bat back slightly on impact to deaden the ball.
Fingers wrapped around the barrel are a common source of injuries on pitches that come inside. Teaching the pinch grip from day one avoids that, and a helmet should always be worn. See our equipment checklist for what players need.
Where to aim the ball
For a sacrifice, hitters generally try to roll the ball along the first-base or third-base line, away from the pitcher and catcher. A ball that stays on the ground in fair territory, not too hard and not too soft, is the goal. A bunt rolled right at the pitcher is an easy out and may let the defense get a runner too.
- A bunt that goes foul counts as a strike. With two strikes, a bunt that goes foul is a strikeout in standard rules. See baseball rules for beginners for more on strikes.
- A bunt that is popped up can be caught for an out, so keep the bat level or slightly angled up.
- A pitch outside the strike zone should be taken, not bunted. Pull the bat back and let the pitch go.
The drag bunt
A drag bunt is a bunt for a hit, usually used by a fast player who tries to get a head start toward first. A right-handed hitter often drags the ball toward the first-base side, since the right-handed batter's body is already moving across the plate. Because it is hidden until the last moment, the defense may not be ready. Beginners should master the sacrifice first, because the drag requires timing and a running start.
When to bunt
| Situation | Type of bunt | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Runner on first, fewer than two outs | Sacrifice | Move the runner to second. |
| Runner on third, fewer than two outs | Squeeze | Score the runner. |
| Fast batter, infield playing back | Drag or bunt for a hit | Reach base safely. |
| Two outs | Usually not a sacrifice | An out ends the inning, so the batter normally swings away. |
Whether bunting is a good idea depends on the situation, the hitter and the level. Many coaches choose it less often as players get older, since a good hitter can drive runners in without giving up an out. In youth baseball, a bunt can be a very good option when hitters are still learning to make contact and when defenses are not yet fielding well. Leagues also differ. Some limit bunting at younger levels, so ask yours.
Squeeze plays
A squeeze play has a runner on third who breaks for home as the pitcher delivers while the batter bunts the ball. In a safety squeeze, the runner waits to see that the bunt is on the ground before running. In a suicide squeeze, the runner goes as soon as the pitch is thrown, and the batter must bunt the ball no matter what. It is risky, since a missed bunt leaves the runner hung out to dry. Teams should practice it before trying it in a game.
Common bunting mistakes
- Fingers on the barrel. They should be behind it, never in front.
- Squaring too early. Turning before the pitcher releases the ball tells the defense what is coming. Many coaches teach waiting until the pitcher's front foot lands or the ball is on its way.
- Lifting the bat to a high pitch. A pitch above the zone is better left alone.
- Bunting hard. A bunt should be gentle, with the bat absorbing the force.
- Bunting the ball back to the pitcher. Aim to put it down a line.
- Running too early. Wait for the ball to be on the ground and down before breaking for first.
How to practice
Practice bunting in stages. Start without a ball, going through the stance and the bat position. Move to soft tosses and bunting at a target, such as a cone or a spot on the ground. Add live pitching later, and use soft balls or a pitching machine at a slow speed if available. Take plenty of repetitions on both sides of the plate lines, and make a game of it by awarding points for bunts in a target area. Our guide to running a youth baseball practice shows how to fit this into a session. If you keep score, a sacrifice bunt appears as SAC in the book, as the scoring guide explains.
In BlackForge Sports: batting, pitching and fielding numbers come from scored games, so a player's card and season line update as games are scored, with nothing on the stats screen typed in by hand. Get early access →
Sources and further reading
- Bunting 101: The Bunting Progression Little League
- Backyard Tip: Bunting Little League
- Official Baseball Rules, 2026 Edition Major League Baseball
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Frequently asked questions
What is a sacrifice bunt?
A bunt where the batter gives up an out so a runner can advance. In the scorebook it is not counted as an at-bat.
How do you hold your hands when bunting?
Slide the top hand up the barrel and pinch the bat between thumb and fingers, keeping the fingers behind the bat. The bottom hand stays at the handle.
What happens if you bunt foul with two strikes?
In standard rules it is a strikeout. Check your league's rules in case they differ.
What is a squeeze play?
A bunt with a runner on third who breaks for home as the pitch is thrown. It can be a safety squeeze or a riskier suicide squeeze.
Should young players learn to bunt?
Yes. It teaches bat control and the basics of situational baseball, though some leagues limit bunting at younger levels.