COACHING POINTS FOR FLICKING IN HOCKEY

1.      Hold the stick as you would for a push, your left hand at the top of the stick in an inverted 'V' grip, and your right hand at the bottom of the grip or at where the grip and stick meet. (which ever is comfortable for you.)

2.      Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, your left shoulder pointing in the direction you want to flick in. Bend your knees slightly and keep your back straight. You can also stand with your feet together. Step with your left foot and lean with your right.

3.      Position the ball in the middle of your stance at a stick's reach from your body. The ball should be further out from your body than for a push.

4.      Begin by placing the stick behind the ball and transferring your weight to your back foot. Drop the right shoulder and open up the stick face by rotating the stick with your left wrist to the right.

5.      Roll the ball forward on your stick to start the shot. Transfer your weight to the front foot as you push the ball in a straight line into the air. Follow through smoothly by wrapping the stick around and below the left shoulder.

6.       As you become more proficient at flicking, aim to keep the ball on the stick for longer to flick it higher. You can also control the direction of the flick, opening up the stick face early to flick right, or twisting the stick to the left to throw the ball left.