Fastpitch Softball Drills – Squeeze Play

Purpose: To defend the squeeze bunt with a runner on third base on defense; to execute squeeze bunting on offense.

Procedure: Play 6v6 on a field that's right for the age group, with players positioned in the infield (first base, second base, shortstop, and third base) and a pitcher and catcher for the defensive team. To start, a runner is placed on third base and a batter is at the plate, with the other offensive players waiting in the on-deck area for a turn at bat. The pitcher throws pitches that are not hard to hit, and the batter tries to bunt the ball. You can practice both the safety and suicide squeeze plays in this game. If you are practicing the safety squeeze, the runner on third tries to score only after the batter bunts the ball; for the suicide squeeze, the runner on third goes no matter what, and the batter has to get the bunt down. The defense tries to throw the runner out at home plate or force the runner at first base. Award two points to the defense if the runner is out at home, one point if the batter is out at first. Switch teams after each player on the offensive team has had a turn at bat.