understand aggressive vs. passive defenses. Every team should have their 1st and 2nd bunt defenses with 0 out. These bunt defenses are designed for certain purposes. Some are very aggressive, some are passive. Whatever the bunt defense, the catcher should have a very good understanding of what it is the coach is trying to accomplish.
The basic bunt defense is designed to get an out. This defense is not a high risk proposition and the catcher must understand that an out is needed. If the ball is bunted the defense should be thinking throw A runner out. It doesn't necessarily mean the lead runner. In fact, it very likely means the trail runner.
More aggressive bunt defenses should give the catcher a pre-conceived notion of getting the lead runner out on bunted balls. This doesn't always work out this way but the catcher needs to be thinking "3,3,3,3" on the bunted ball. Whether the bunt defense is the "wheel" play or the "flash" play there are risks being taken by moving middle infielders out of position. If infielders are out of position there better be a carrot on the other end. That carrot is the lead runner. The catcher must be perfectly clear in understanding this concept.
The best laid plans can be destroyed by a faulty thinking catcher. In order for those bunt defenses to function efficiently, the catcher (the voice) must be able to finalize the play.
I have a saying that I like to use- IT'S BETTER TO BE LOUD AND WRONG THAN RIGHT AND QUIET. When it comes to communicating your bunt defenses to a catcher the more he knows- the better chance he is loud and RIGHT.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment