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Fielding · Drill 02

Alligator Hands

5–7 min station
Teaches

Fielding a ground ball with two hands — glove down in the grass, bare hand above, closing like an alligator's mouth around the ball.

Bring ● Softball ● Glove
Setup
  • Helper stands 15 feet away on the grass.
  • Player starts in the ready position.
  • Helper rolls grounders directly at her to start.
How it works
  1. Helper rolls a grounder straight at her.
  2. She moves FORWARD to the ball, not waiting for it.
  3. Glove drops all the way down — back of the glove touches the grass.
  4. Bare hand hovers ABOVE the glove, ready to snap down.
  5. As the ball enters the glove, the bare hand closes on top — the alligator's mouth snaps shut.
Watch for
  • Glove all the way DOWN — not floating above the grass.
  • Bare hand stays HOVERING, not gripping the glove, until the ball arrives.
  • She charges the ball, not stands and reaches.
What to say
Alligator!
Glove in the grass.
Top hand down — snap!
Perfect chomp!
High-five moments
  • Her glove visibly touches the grass on every rep.
  • Three clean alligator chomps in a row.
  • She shouts “alligator!” on her own.
Make it easier

Roll slower and closer. Let her field 10 in a row while standing still — just focus on the two-handed chomp, not the movement.

Level it up

Roll the ball slightly to her left or right so she has to shuffle-step to get in front of it, then alligator.

★
Key cue
“Glove in the grass, top hand snaps.”