Softball · Ground balls

Alligator ground balls

Young fielders learn to field a rolled ball with the glove open on the ground like an alligator's jaw, the throwing hand snapping shut on top.

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Start / 5
Time
10 min
Players
2–12
Age
U6+
Area
15 × 15 m
Equipment
12 softer softballs (RIF) or tennis balls12 gloves4 cones1 bucket

Setup

  1. Coach sits or kneels with a bucket of soft balls about 6–8 m from a cone.
  2. Players line up behind the cone, at least 3 m back from the fielder in front.
  3. With more than six players, run two lines with a coach or parent rolling to each.
  4. Show the alligator first: glove hand is the bottom jaw, open on the ground; throwing hand is the top jaw, waiting above it.

How it runs

  1. The first player steps up into a wide, low stance: feet wider than the shoulders, knees bent, bottom down, glove open on the ground out in front.
  2. The coach rolls the ball slowly straight at the fielder. The fielder lets it roll into the bottom jaw, then the top jaw snaps shut on it.
  3. The fielder brings the ball up to the belly button and tosses it back to the coach underhand.
  4. The fielder jogs to the back of the line and the next player steps up.
  5. After two rounds straight on, roll a step to either side so players shuffle their feet to get in front first.

Coaching points

  • Wide feet, low bottom: get down early, before the ball arrives.
  • Glove open and touching the ground, out in front of the eyes, not between the feet.
  • Watch the ball into the glove; keep the head down.
  • Top hand snaps shut as soon as the ball is in the glove.
  • Move the feet to get in front of the ball; don't reach with the glove.
  • Bring the ball in to the belly button before throwing.

Common mistakes

  • Bending at the waist with straight legs, so the ball rolls under the glove.
  • Glove closed or above the ground.
  • Top hand slapping at the ball before it's in the glove.
  • Looking up at the coach as the ball arrives.
  • Turning sideways and fielding next to the feet.

Say it: “Open wide, snap shut.”

Make it harder

  • Roll faster, or bounce it once (a soft hop).
  • After the alligator, shuffle and throw overhand to a partner at a cone.
  • Start from a ready position, standing, and get down in time.

Make it easier

  • Use a big soft ball or a tennis ball and no glove: two hands make the jaws.
  • Fielder starts already down in the alligator position.
  • Roll from 4 m, very slowly.

Pairs well with

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.