Softball bunting stance

Question
I was reading through your website and had a question
that has been in my mind for abit. I coach a 12U
girls select team.  I focus on pitching and hitting,
really concentrating on the basics and good form,
stance etc.  Up to this point I have taught  or we
are beginning to teach the girls to bunt.  I had
them completely square up to the pitcher.  Example right handed batter, pivots on her left foot moving
her right foot in front of her left so the heel of
the right foot is in front of the plate and parallel
to her left foot toe. So they are completely squaring
around like baseball.  We recently went to our first
select tournament and I noticed bunting was a huge
part of the game and it didn't seem like the girls
were squaring completely around.
  
I would like to know the correct way to teach the
girls.  Should they square completely?  Eventually
I'm sure slap bunting, or fake will fall in but I
don't want to jump ahead.  I mainly want to teach
them the correct stance from the beginning.

Thanks for any help or direction you can give.  

Answer
Yes the squire around method isn't used in softball much however some girls are more comfortable with the squire around compared to the pivot - this is especially with the younger girls. I've seen both methods used successfully and at all levels of play. So for some younger players the squire around may offer more control (and confidence).

Most college coaches teach (or prefer) the rotating (pivoting) the feet method for both the surprise bunt and sacrifice bunt. The batter simply pivots later on the surprise bunt. The rotation method gives the batter more options. For example if the defense is overly aggressive and the corners start crashing in, the batter is still open enough to cock the wrists and slap the ball past them.

With the pivot method the batter will stand in a normal batting position but with an open stance. An open stance will help enhance balance and control when she pivots. Ideally she will pivot right as the pitcher is about to release the ball on a sacrifice bunt. Once she pivots she should have the bat out front with the arms, waist, and knees slightly bent and hands in the position you describe and also out in front. The bat head can be angled up slightly or be level.

An important point for either the squire around or rotation bunt is that the bat should start at the top of the strike zone especially for the younger player. This way you can tell them anything above the bat is a ball and everything else below the bat is fair game. Basically staying on top of the strike zone helps the batter stay on top of the ball.

The whole idea of the pivot is to be able to bunt, push, or slap from the same position as the defense dictates. The straight squire around sacrifice bunt is rare in fastpitch softball mainly because in the higher skill levels the defenses are so aggressive they can easily recognize the play and take away.

At this age it might be okay to teach both methods and let the player choose which is most comfortable for them.