Technical aspects of the Drag-flick

Abstract

The penalty corner is one of the most important goal plays in field hockey. The drag-flick is more efficient than other techniques when playing a penalty corner. The aims of this study were to describe the kinematics and dynamics of international field hockey players during the drag-flick and to analyse gender differences. Thirteen participants, one male drag-flicker, six males and six females participated in the study. VICON optoelectronic system measured the kinematic parameters from the drag-flick with six cameras sampling at 250 Hz. Dynamical parameters were taken from a Dinascan force platform which registered the last support of the front foot. Twenty trials were captured from each subject. Ball velocities and maximum hips, shoulder, grip and end of the shaft velocities were higher (p<0.01) at the drag-flicker than at both gender groups. Relative stance width was lower (p<0.01) at women group. Forces relative to the body weight were higher (p<0.01) in the drag-flicker than in both gender groups. Comparing with the drag-flicker we have found the cues of the skill, being necessary a wide stance, a clockwise rotated hip position at the double foot contact, an explosive movement of hips, shoulders and a backward movement of the end of the shaft before its final acceleration phase.