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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
- 1. 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
- 2. 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
- 3. 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
- 4. 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
- 5. 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
At a Glance
Categories
Infield
Focus Areas
Situational
Age Groups
4-67-89-10
Players
2-10 players
Difficulty
beginner
Equipment Needed
- cones
- baseballs or softballs
Quick Actions
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