Catching: Defending a squeeze bunt

Defending a squeeze play can be one of the most challenging situations in softball. There are a few ways to maximize your teams ability to defend the squeeze play and Colorado State University Softball Team is here to help you out. 

Between the coach, the players on the field and the dugout, everybody on the team needs to be involved and prepared for a squeeze play. The more people alert and aware for the play, the more likely your team will be able to defend the squeeze. Half the dugout is watching the runner at third, while the other half is watching the batter square for a bunt. 

When the batter squares to bunt, the catcher should explode out of their crouch and set up in a low athletic position, knees bent, with their left foot in front of the corner of the plate. The catcher sets up in this position so that when there is a play at the plate, her front knee drops, taking away the runner’s access to the plate. We don’t want our catcher’s setting up here before they have the ball due to the obstruction rule. Make sure your catcher's clear of the plate, but once they have the ball, the position demonstrated will greatly maximize their ability to protect home plate.