Bunt defense
Wheel play
The wheel play is an aggressive bunt defense built to get the lead runner. The third baseman crashes before the pitch, the shortstop rotates over to cover third, the second baseman covers first and the center fielder comes all the way in to cover second.
The infield turns like a wheel: third baseman in, shortstop to third, second baseman to first, first baseman charging. Because both middle infielders leave the middle, the center fielder sprints in to cover second base, which also takes away a big lead and gives the defense a backdoor option.
Use it with a runner on first, on second, or on first and second, when you're confident the batter is bunting. Hold the runner close with a pickoff move first, because the wheel leaves the middle of the field open if the batter swings away.
See it in the app
- Watch the playRunner on first, bunt to the first-base side, Wheel
- Watch the playRunners on first and second, bunt to the third-base side, Wheel
- Watch the playRunner on second, bunt back to the pitcher, Wheel
- Ask the coachHow does the wheel play work with runners on first and second?
Related terms
Free to start
Watch every play, then quiz yourself on it
No card, no password. Game Situations and a daily Learn session are free.