Drag flick (field hockey)
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In field hockey, the drag flick is a specialist scoring shot usually played as a set piece during penalty corners, that appeared in the 1990s. It was "invented" by Dutch international Taco van den Honert in the summer of 1992, after a change in the penalty corner rules.
The action involves a player crouching low down next to the ball and picking it up on the shaft of the hockey stick. The ball is then pushed along the ground whilst the stick is moving with a 'slinging' action. This serves to accelerate the ball, which is eventually released in a goalwards direction, often raised.
Drag flicks are especially common during penalty corners, and are used as a variant to the 'straight shot' or hit. The main difference between the drag flick and the hit is that the drag flick is classified in the rules of field hockey, as a push, which are allowed to be raised higher from a penalty corner first shot. This has created a controversy, as drag flicks, although being allowed to be lifted at goals (and consequently the defenders within the goal) the drag flick is often as powerful as a hit. This leads to danger and a high risk of injuries.
As drag flicks have become more popular, specialist hockey sticks have been designed to complement the slinging action of the shot. These sticks are notable for their 'bow' or curve. In 2005, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) limited the possible size of 'bows' allowed in international competitions which is now limited to 25 mm (see Field Hockey#Equipment).
Along with changes in stick topography, as the drag flick became more prolific, it introduced the specialist drag flicker into a hockey team. In some cases, the drag flicker was not even part of the standard team but was substituted for a field player whenever a team was awarded a penalty corner. As soon as the penalty corner was over, the substitution was reversed. Because of this, it is now disallowed to substitute whenever a penalty corner situation is in effect, except for an injured goal keeper, who may be substituted at any time. Most national teams have a flicking expert within their sides, with some notable figures being Sohail Abbas of Pakistan, Taeke Taekema from the Netherlands and Troy Elder hailing from Australia.
[edit] External links
- Dragflicking.com - Web site with in depth introduction to the action with a focus on teaching
- Planetfieldhockey.com - Article discussing history of drag flicking and impact
- Field Hockey Forum - A discussion about the difference in the Drag-Flick and Hitting skills
