Infield Drill: Alligator Hands Grounders (Baseball & Softball)
Foundational ground-ball drill teaching two-hand "alligator" secure and centered funnel.
How to Run This Drill
- Setup:
- Partners 10-15 feet apart facing each other
- Mark lanes with cones if working with multiple pairs
- Use soft or practice baseballs for safety with beginners
- Teach the Alligator Concept
- Glove hand out front, palm up (bottom jaw)
- Throwing hand above glove, palm down (top jaw)
- When ball enters, hands clamp together like alligator mouth
- This prevents ball from popping out
- Athletic Stance and Ready Position
- Feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent
- Weight on balls of feet, not heels
- Glove should be out front, not pulled back to body
- Eyes behind the ball - watch it all the way in
- Center Feeds (8-10 reps)
- Partner rolls slow grounders directly at player
- Player fields with alligator hands at centerline of body
- Secure ball to chest/centerline before throwing
- Step and throw to partner's chest
- Forehand Feeds (5-8 reps)
- Partner rolls grounders to glove-hand side
- Player shuffles to get centered behind ball
- Still field at centerline with proper technique
- Focus on footwork to get body in position
- Backhand Feeds (5-8 reps)
- Partner rolls grounders to throwing-hand side
- Player moves feet to get centered
- Same alligator technique applies
- Emphasize moving feet, not reaching
Coaching Points
- Glove out front always - do not pull back to body
- Eyes behind the ball - watch it into the glove
- Secure to centerline before making throw
- Throw through big target - partner chest
- Move feet to center ball - do not just reach
- Two hands on every ground ball at this age
Quick Actions
At a Glance
Equipment Needed
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