Defensing the suicide squeeze

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Working with the team tomorrow on bunt defense, and wanted to get input on some of the fundamentals in defensing against the suicide squeeze. Obviously, an unanticipated and well executed suicide with a speedy runner on 3rd can almost be impossible to stop, but what are some of the key things to have the infielders and catcher do when we really need the out at the plate and/or have no chance to get the runner at 1B? Infielders bare-handing and underhand flipping low throws to the catcher out in front of the plate? Communication from the dugout or the field? Have kind of always used my own logic on this, but have never really practiced it much and wanted to get the input of some of the coaches here ...

 

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What age level are you working with? There are some things I would never ask a younger player to do to prevent injury, so the age group would be helpful.

 

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And to answer you question......speed.....unless you have speed at the corners you have no chance. And to be honest the only place to put a suicide bunt is right back at the pitcher. And your catcher better be quick. So if you are going to drill a bit for fun then I would work with my pitcher more than anyone on a bare-handed flip. And possibly the glove flip.

I just think it is not going to happen but a couple times in a season and to get an out you are going to need to have your players make a great play. My wife has coached a very good team and they are old 14U and I have only seen her call it once. And I have never seen it done on her. Maybe at 16-18U it is more common.

I do agree that you should at least once or twice discuss it with your players so that when it happens they have a plan. I agree with that part. Just not sure I would spend much time on it.

 

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Working with the team tomorrow on bunt defense, and wanted to get input on some of the fundamentals in defensing against the suicide squeeze. Obviously, an unanticipated and well executed suicide with a speedy runner on 3rd can almost be impossible to stop, but what are some of the key things to have the infielders and catcher do when we really need the out at the plate and/or have no chance to get the runner at 1B? Infielders bare-handing and underhand flipping low throws to the catcher out in front of the plate? Communication from the dugout or the field? Have kind of always used my own logic on this, but have never really practiced it much and wanted to get the input of some of the coaches here ...

Well, the best way to defend against the suicide squeeze is to not let the batter bunt the ball fair. The best place for the pitcher to throw the ball that the catcher can handle is down at the batter's feet.

Len

 

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Speed and instinct. If your fielders don't instinctively hunt the lead runner it's a waste of time to drill. It doesn't hurt to have a strong catcher good at blocking the plate.

 

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Age level is 12-U (all 12's), though hope to be playing at a fairly high level within that age group.

No doubts about the importance of speed and pitch location (inside on the hands can work very well also). But a) sometimes the ball doesn't go where we want and b) it's best when it's a surprise to the defense, and it's not being anticipated.

Good point that it's probably not something to spend a ton of time on, but also that it's something to at least go over with the team and how to handle it when it does happen. I see it at least a half dozen times a year, once lost a high school conference game 1-0 in the last inning on one, and once last year had a team do it to us 3 times in the same game if I remember right.

We are definitely going to work on it offensively, and might as well do it from a defensive standpoint at the same time, right?

 

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I think at any age level, especially at the younger ones, the corners and pitchers need to learn to have an internal clock that will tell them whether there is any shot to get an out at the plate. I have seen at 14-U and below teams just try to get one out after another at the plate and just give up one free baserunner after another. If it's a good bunt, usually the best strategy is to cut your losses and get the out.

If the bunt is not fielded almost immediately, get the out. The only time I'd do otherwise is if you just can't afford that runner on third to score, and if that's the case, the corners need to be in far enough to get an out on a squeeze, even one toward the pitcher.

The only other thing I'd emphasize is to stay low and keep the throw low. No point in making the catcher reach up near her face and then have to come right back down. Keep the throw a foot or even less from the ground to make it easier and quicker for the catcher.

 

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Joe ... was hoping you'd weigh in ... good advice especially around staying low, as well as needing to defend against it, even if don't suspect it, if you can't afford it (e.g., winning run) ... of course, some teams which are fundamentally strong are much more likely to try it than others.

 

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I use the suicide squeeze practice to work with my catcher(s) on blocking the plate while making a tag AND the runners learn to make a slide and avoid the tag. It is a very useful drill. You'll find some kids will enjoy it and want you to call the play in a game, others not so much.

You need a pitcher (or coach), a couple of catchers, a third baseman, a first baseman, bunters and base runners at third. Everyone fully geared up. Set limits on how close 3rd and 1st can play. The pitcher throws, the bunter bunts, the runner breaks, the fielders field, make a toss, the catcher takes the toss in front of the plate an collapses into a blocking position on her knees with her hand in the glove and the back of the glove facing the spikes, the head is tucked and her body is leaning forward bracing for impact and she then makes the tag. Repeat with both catchers and everyone slides. This is best done on a very muddy field with ice cream served afterrwards.

Your catchers will get much better very quickly so don't over use. This drill is not for the faint of heart.

 

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I use the suicide squeeze practice to work with my catcher(s) on blocking the plate while making a tag AND the runners learn to make a slide and avoid the tag. It is a very useful drill. You'll find some kids will enjoy it and want you to call the play in a game, others not so much.

You need a pitcher (or coach), a couple of catchers, a third baseman, a first baseman, bunters and base runners at third. Everyone fully geared up. Set limits on how close 3rd and 1st can play. The pitcher throws, the bunter bunts, the runner breaks, the fielders field, make a toss, the catcher takes the toss in front of the plate an collapses into a blocking position on her knees with her hand in the glove and the back of the glove facing the spikes, the head is tucked and her body is leaning forward bracing for impact and she then makes the tag. Repeat with both catchers and everyone slides. This is best done on a very muddy field with ice cream served afterrwards.

Your catchers will get much better very quickly so don't over use. This drill is not for the faint of heart.

I'm glad you brought this up. I have done the same thing. Works well if you have at least two catchers. You can divide your team into two teams and play "squeeze ball" against each other. Gets everyone working from the pitcher, catchers, corners, baserunners and bunters. (we used our actual pitchers, not the coach) Pitchers have to be careful not overdoing it on the bad pitches or you have passed ball = run scored. Bunters get the idea they have to get the bat on the ball no matter what.

 

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Careful - can't block the plate with being in possession of the ball. Can't even obstruct......

Speed and instinct. If your fielders don't instinctively hunt the lead runner it's a waste of time to drill. It doesn't hurt to have a strong catcher good at blocking the plate.

 

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Your efforts would probably be best spent teaching your players to execute the squeeze rather then defending it as the percentages on making plays at the plate are pretty low. I think by practicing the execution the D will learn to defend it fairly well. JMHO

 

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This is a great opportunity to teach your catcher how receive a ball, to block the plate and not get killed; legally.

You could start off the practice using an extra home plate to reduce injuries.

You can teach execution and defense of the squeeze at the same time AND you can teach sliding and catching skills. What's not like about this drill?

 

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Your efforts would probably be best spent teaching your players to execute the squeeze rather then defending it as the percentages on making plays at the plate are pretty low. I think by practicing the execution the D will learn to defend it fairly well. JMHO

This is why I basically stated earlier to have the pitcher throw it low and in (near the feet) on a batter if she squares with a runner on 3rd. There's really no difference between fielding a suicide squeeze and fielding a basic bunt. In both scenarios the corners crash low and hard. Yes, the preferred destination of the throw is to home rather than first (or another base) and as a few have stated the throw should be low to the catcher. However, most kids will get into a bunting position sooner on a suicide squeeze than in other bunt situations, allowing the defense to recognize the bunt sooner, including the pitcher. Having the pitcher throw a tough pitch to bunt is the best defense against a suicide squeeze. At 12u I realize that the pitch doesn't necessarily go where it's designed to go. That's true with all pitches, not just pitches that are about to be bunted. Why not work on pitcher and catcher recognition? It would be time well spent compared to trying to defend against the suicide squeeze, even at 12u. Obviously, there's nothing wrong with working on defending the bunt.......

Len

 

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Is the runner leaving on release or taking a secondary lead and leaving on contact? If sheis truly leaving on release with no hesitation there is minimal chance to get outs at home.

 

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Is the runner leaving on release or taking a secondary lead and leaving on contact? If sheis truly leaving on release with no hesitation there is minimal chance to get outs at home.

Totally agree.
Len

 

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On a true "suicide squeeze", she is leaving on the release and running at full speed ... I have always always used the term "safety squeeze" for the runner to hesitate after the initial lead to ensure the ball is bunted ...

 

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Not to hijack my own thread, but can someone explain again what exactly is technically allowed and not allowed in terms of a catcher blocking the plate? I know the rules are inconsistently applied ... does it make any difference if she is blocking part of the plate and the baserunner still has a clear path to a part of the plate? Is the exact same rule applied at the other bases?

 

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Why not just pitch out if you know it is squeeze. Becomes a easy out ?

 

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Not to hijack my own thread, but can someone explain again what exactly is technically allowed and not allowed in terms of a catcher blocking the plate? I know the rules are inconsistently applied ... does it make any difference if she is blocking part of the plate and the baserunner still has a clear path to a part of the plate? Is the exact same rule applied at the other bases?

Good question ,maybe Bretman or our other experts will have a answer,had a girl kicking my dd to get to plate last year.