TECHNIQUE

BOOKLET
Charlie Haigh
Director of Coaching

Receiving
Techniques

Stopping Forehand
Static stick stop: Left hand at the top of
the grip, right hand at the bottom of
grip. Left hand forward of stick face to
create a downward angle and stop ball
just outside right foot. Knees bent with
minimal bending at waist. Soft hands to
prevent ball bouncing off stick.
Dynamic stick stop: Same as above but
when making contact with ball cushion
the ball with stick face so you can carry
it forwards as you run.

Forehand Receiving Across Body

Hands apart, with left hand
at the top of grip. Right
hand at bottom of grip. Fake
to stop and drive infield
with the ball. When body is
lined up with ball let it run
across the body opening
space on the outside of the
pitch. Stop just outside the
right foot and continue
movement in that direction.
This is particularly useful for
right sided players.

Forehand Receiving Bouncing Ball

Hands apart. Left hand at the
top of grip. Right hand at
bottom of grip. Left hand
forward of stick face to create a
downward angle to ensure ball
goes downwards and head over
ball, ensure you keep eye on
ball to get correct alignment.
Stick in front of body to see line
of ball, as straight as possible to
ensure good trap and further
control. Get ball on floor as
quickly as possible to get into a
strong carry position.

Receiving Forehand From Behind

Watch the ball from behind over shoulder to ensure good

connection is made. Let ball pass body, stop in front with
stick face over the ball so you can accelerate immediately
with the ball in direction of space.

Receiving Backhand
Backhand Receive Low:
Hands apart, left hand at
the top of grip. Right
hand at bottom of grip.
Ensure body is low, feet
apart to give good
stability and balanced. Tilt
stick face slightly forward
to make ball stop dead.
Hands must be low to
floor preventing ball
going under stick and
leading to a miss trap.

Receiving Backhand
Backhand Receive Upright:
Hands apart, left hand at top
of grip. Right hand at bottom
of grip. Left hand ahead of
stick face to create an angle
enabling better control of
ball. Turn body side on as
necessary to help create an
easier stopping position.
Keep eye on ball and allow
natural reactions to stop ball.

Receiving Bouncing Ball Backhand

Hands apart. Left hand at the top of grip. Right hand at bottom of
grip. Left hand forward of stick face to create a downward angle to
ensure ball goes downwards. Head over ball, ensure you keep eye on
ball to get correct alignment as not possible to straighten stick and
get behind ball. Get ball on floor as quickly as possible to get into a
strong carry position.

Receiving Backhand From Behind

Watch the ball from behind over shoulder to ensure

good connection is made. Let ball pass body, stop in
front with stick face over the ball so you can
accelerate immediately with the ball in direction of
space.

Receiving Aerial Ball

Forehand Aerial Receive: Keep eye on ball. Move to

get under ball. Take ball on the full before it
bounces to eliminate random bounces on different
pitches. Take ball outside body not within your body
space. Hands apart and both hands on stick unless
at full stretch for an interception. Keep stick as
horizontal as possible. Control ball with the lower
20cm of the shaft of the stick on the face side. Soft
hands so ball drops to floor and does not bounce
away. Get ball to floor as quickly as possible an into
a strong carry position.

Backhand Aerial Receive: Same

as forehand but turn body side
on to ball. Cross hands over.
Take ball further back in relation
to your body than on the
forehand or push left hand
forward of body to take in front
in a more frontal position.

Passing
Techniques

Push
Hands apart. Left hand at
top of grip. Right hand at
bottom of grip. Stick in
contact with ball. Bring
body into pass by cross
stepping past ball to pull it
forwards. Allow ball to
leave stick slightly gaining
maximum power. Stay in a
low body position, when
ball in line with front foot,
release ball. When
releasing ensure
continuous follow through
to target and low body
position.

Slap

Both hands together at top of

grip in standard hitting grip
position. Push ball away from
body at a slight diagonal. Step
with left foot towards the
position of ball until leg is in a
full lunge position. Head and
shoulders down and in front of
left knee.
Stick must sweep along the ground, swinging from right foot to ball. Ball on line of
left foot and body turned 90 degrees from target. Wrists rotate to add more strength
and power. Hands out from left foot to free action, follow through to right foot
again, continuing to stay low throughout motion.

Hit
Hands together at top of grip. Ball on line
of left foot (stick bend dependent).
Ensure ball is a comfortable distance
from body so as not to over stretch but
not under feet, bend knees, keep head
over ball and keep level throughout
motion. Rotate upper body, big swing in
an open throw like movement involving
body- shoulders, arms and wrist. When
making contact with ball, shoulder,
elbow, wrist and stick must be straight in
line. Backswing so hand is in line with
shoulder and follow through to the same
level. Swing diagonally around body, not
from above head or around waste.

Aerial

Hands apart. Left hand at the top of grip. Right hand at bottom grip. Ball
diagonally in front of body, when stepping into ball ensure left foot inline with
ball (stick bend depending). Get body low with weight on back foot so power
will come from right hamstrings and gluts, left hand to right elbow to create
stick angle, come in from behind ball, on impact explode up and forwards from
back leg, push left hand forwards then follow up with right hand to sling shot
ball up and forward , aim at approximately 45 degrees.

Backhand Push

Hands apart, left hand at top of grip. Right at bottom of grip. Body to be side on from
ball. Ball in line with back foot (left foot), pull stick and ball forwards with top hand
and immediately pull right hand after to increase power.

Backhand Slap
Hands apart or together
(personal preference), left
or right foot forwards but
ball level with that foot.
Same as forehand slap.
Stick face facing up so
rotate grip. Make contact
with ball on edge of stick
just above hook. Lift
hands if ball is lifting so to
ensure not to hit under
the ball.

Backhand Hit

Hands together at top of stick grip. Rotate grip 90 degrees to frying pan grip,
ball level with lead foot, full lunge, head and shoulders forward of knee,
hands start swing from near hip, low swing, rotate wrists to increase and
allow maximum power, make contact on edge of stick just above the hook.
Stay low throughout contact and follow through.

Tackle
Techniques

Jab Tackle

Stick in left hand, start with right hand on grip in case a block tackle can be made. Have
body the distance of a step and a jab away, step with left foot towards ball. Jab one
handed with stick face up. If ball is not won then recover to start position, maintain
side ways stance so if beaten you have provided yourself with a pivot foot to recover
quicker.

Forehand Block Tackle

Stick flat and close to the
ground. Hands apart, low
body position. Right leg
back, body weight
forwards. Head and
shoulders must be over
knee, stick must be
forward of the body this
allows the body to gain
extra power if needed by
pushing off right foot. Push
off left foot if recovery is
needed.

Backhand Block Tackle

One foot forward. Body position
must be a sideways position to
minimise crossing of the wrists as
this will make the tackle weaker.
Stick flat and close to the ground.
Hands apart, low body position.
Body weight forwards. Head and
shoulders must be over knee, stick
must be forward of the body this
allows the body to gain extra power
if needed by pushing off back foot.
Push off front foot if recovery is
needed. Stick pressed more into
ground and angle forwards so ball
cannot get under hook.

Shave Tackle

Stick face facing up, stick in left hand, get low, place
your stick between their stick and their leg. Put left
hand to ground and sweep ball towards you with top
edge of stick, twist wrist to create angle to pull ball
away from their angle of run and towards you.

Skills
Techniques

Running Forehand
Ball forward and outside
of right foot. Hands apart
on stick grip. Left hand at
top of grip. Right hand at
bottom of grip. Ensure
left elbow is high to
enable easier direction
changes of ball and to
open passing options.
Keep head up. Keep stick
on ball.

Left to Right V-Drag

Run to the left (defenders
forehand), when defender
starts to commit put stick
face over ball to stop it in
same motion push
backwards off of front
foot and use hands to
drag ball back towards
back foot as body weight
shifts to back foot, push
off of back foot to move
forwards into the space
created on the right.
Accelerate after ball into
space and get into a
strong carry position.

Right to Left V-Drag

Carry ball to right (defenders
backhand), when defender
commits move stick face
over ball. Right foot forward.
Push off right foot and use
hands to move body and ball
backwards. Move ball across
body until it is behind and to
the left of body. Pivot so ball
is outside left foot. Drive on
that angle (left of original
running direction) with the
ball on backhand and use
legs to shield ball from
defenders forehand recovery
tackle.

Left to Right Drag

Running with ball on forehand
commit defender to their
backhand, subtly shift weight
onto left leg. As you move ball
left to outside left foot turn stick
head over the ball to pull it
quickly to outside the right foot
with one movement. Push off
left foot at the same time to
accelerate body right and
increase the distance of
movement. Back into strong
carry position as quickly as
possible.

Right to Left Drag

Running with ball on forehand
commit defender to their
backhand, subtly shift weight
onto right leg. As you move
ball right to outside right foot
turn stick head over the ball to
pull it quickly to outside the
left foot with one movement.
Push off right foot at the same
time to accelerate body left
and increase the distance of
movement. Back into strong
carry position as quickly as
possible.

Forehand Lift
Left to right drag movement. When ball is
roughly in line with right foot lift the ball.
The ball needs to be a long way forward of
feet to create a better lifting angle of stick
face. Keep hands lower than normal to
improve stick face angle. Bring left hand into
right forearm to create stick angle to enable
the lift. Push forward off of right foot. Lift
the ball no more than 50cm high and
1metre long. Do not shovel ball with hands,
ball movement from left to right, stick angle
and push off of right foot will lift ball
sufficiently.
Get ball to floor and into a strong carry
position as soon as possible.

Ball Lift Backhand

Right to left drag movement. When ball
is roughly in line with left foot lift the
ball. The ball needs to be a long way
forward of feet to create a better lifting
angle of stick face. Keep hands lower
than normal to improve stick face
angle. Move left hand wide of body to
create lifting angle. Keep left elbow
pointed for control. Push off left foot.
Lift the ball no more than 50cm high
and 1metre long. Do not shovel ball
with hands, ball movement from right
to left, stick angle and push off of left
foot will lift ball sufficiently.
Get ball to floor and into strong carry
position as soon as possible.

Turning Strong

From running, move ball left and keep turning. Keep feet
moving to enable the turn to be dynamic and not static. Bring
left hand into right forearm to enable control of the ball on the
stick face. Keep speed up during turn. Accelerate and get into a
strong carry position after turn.

Squeeze
Back to front. Hands apart. Get
ahead of the ball. Drop left hand as
low as possible. Use right hand to
lift stick and hit gently down on top
of ball to force it into the turf so it
pops up after. Move stick forwards
to stop ball out on front of body.
Right to left. Same as back to front
technique but from outside right
foot to outside left foot.

Shooting
Techniques

Hit
Hands together at top of stick grip. Ball on
line of left foot (stick bend dependent).
Ensure ball is a comfortable distance from
body so not to over stretch but not under
feet, bent knees, keep head over ball and
keep level throughout motion. Rotate
upper body, big swing in an open throw
like movement involving body- shoulders,
arms and wrist. When making contact with
ball, shoulders, elbow, wrist and stick must
be straight in line. Swing so hand is in line
with shoulder and follow through to the
same. Swing diagonally around body, not
from above head or around waste. To hit
high, hit ball in front of left foot not in line.
Do not use a chip technique, this will lose
power.

Clip Hit

Hands together at middle of stick grip.

So drop left hand to right hand to meet
them in the middle. Ball on line of left
foot (stick bend dependent). Ensure
ball is a comfortable distance from
body so not to over stretch but not
under feet, bent knees, keep head over
ball and keep level throughout motion.
Rotate upper body, big swing in an
open throw like movement involving
body- shoulders, arms and wrist. When
making contact with ball, shoulders,
elbow, wrist and stick must be straight
in line. Swing so hand is in line with
shoulder and follow through to the
same. Swing diagonally around body,
not from above head or around waste.
To hit high, hit ball in front of left foot
not in line. Do not use a chip
technique, this will lose power.

Spin Hit
Receive ball from a pass so body
will be in closed position with
back to goal. 1st touch pushes ball
back straight towards top of D or
away from goal. Move the ball
this way as it is away from
pressure, the defender cannot
reach it and it is disguised to
keeper. Spin after it (with jump or
quick footwork) and land on right
foot. Ball level with right foot.
Left foot is probably still in air but
this is not a problem and often
helps technically. Hit ball in
movement.

Backhand Hit
Hands together at top of stick grip. Rotate grip
90 degrees to frying pan grip, ball level with
lead foot, full lunge, head and shoulders
forward of knee, hands start swing from near
hip, low swing, rotate wrists to increase and
allow maximum power, make contact on edge
of stick just above the hook. Hit of left foot if
running. Hit of right foot if static. To lift ball
drop hands lower to floor so stick hits the
bottom half of ball creating lift. If very
dynamic roll out over left shoulder to create
further reach as you do not need to remain
standing after.
If diving for a further ball still start swing when
standing so you hit ball before landing on the
ground. (See backhand pass for more photos).

Volley/ Half Volley

Hands together at top of stick grip. Ball on

line of left foot (stick bend dependent).
Ensure ball is a comfortable distance from
body so not to over stretch but not under
feet, bent knees, keep head over ball and
keep level throughout motion. Rotate
upper body, big swing in an open throw
like movement involving body- shoulders,
arms and wrist. When making contact
with ball, shoulders, elbow, wrist and stick
must be straight in line. Swing so hand is
in line with shoulder and follow through
to the same. Swing diagonally around
body, not from above head or around
waste. To hit high, hit ball in front of left
foot not in line. Do not use a chip
technique, this will lose power. As ball is in
air you do not need to be so low. Hit ball
4 inches up the shaft of the stick (where
you would make contact in slap hit) for
maximum power as this is the sticks
sweet spot. Still hit ball off front foot as it
its too far back it will go bounce high off
the ground and lose power. If it is too far
in front it will go very high over the goal.

Squeeze Hit
Ball behind back foot
side on to ball. Normal
hit grip. Hit down on
top of ball to create lift
off of turf. No follow
through as stick is going
down into ground. Side
on body position.

Forehand Deflection/Tip
Hands apart. Side on body
position. If ball is flat get stick flat
on ground. Left hand forward of
stick face to create a good angle
for tip. Angle stick face to control
height of tip. Either a solid grip so
stick is immovable and deflects
ball or very soft hands (one
handed acceptable) so ball
knocks stick aside but changes
angle as well. Keep eye on ball.
Push hands away from body to
perform skill. This frees arms and
makes creating angles with the
stick face easier. If ball is in air
then stay more upright and
deflect with shaft of stick as
usual.

Backhand Deflection/Tip
If ball is flat: Stick in left
hand. Left hand forward of
stick face. Side on and low
body position. Deflect with
top edge of stick- not stick
face as the hook prevents
this. Lift or lower left hand
to control elevation of ball.
If ball is bouncing: Stick
held with both hands and
upright stick technique
where you deflect off the
face of the shaft.

Diving Forehand
Keep eye on the ball.
Time your dive depending
on how weighted the ball
is. Stay low so you slide
and do not just hit the
ground hard. Hold stick
one handed with left
hand. Extend stick out in
front of body. Create
angles with stick face to
send ball to desired area
of goal.

Diving Backhand
Keep eye on the ball.
Time your dive depending
on how weighted the ball
is. Stay low so you slide
and do not just hit the
ground hard. Hold stick
one handed, left hand.
Hand forward of stick
face. Extend stick out in
front of body. Use top
edge of stick to deflect
ball to desired area of
goal.

Forehand Flick
Step into ball. Ball on
front foot at release
point. Hands apart. Lead
with left hand then
accelerate right hand
forwards to create a
slingshot or whiplash
action. Follow through
with stick and body to
maximise power as this
will be the result of an
explosive action.

Backhand Flick
Step to ball. Ball just
behind front foot. Lead
with left hand moving
into right forearm then
pull right hand towards
goal to propel ball. Use
the hook of the stick.
Use an explosive action
to maximise power.

Short Corner
Techniques

Injection
Right foot off pitch but tight up
against line and sideways, fully
stretch out with left leg and
point toes at target. Left knee
bent but right leg straight. Low
sitting position. Bend at waist so
head is over ball. Drop left hand
low but point elbow at target.
Ball in hook of stick. Pull ball in a
straight line to target. Push off of
left leg and step after ball to
maximise power.

Stop
Turn stick around, so left hand
at bottom of stick and right
hand at bottom of grip. Get in
a very low position. Stick face
at a bisecting angle to ball.
Stop ball on face of stick in line
with where you hit a backhand
or slap. Push hook and handle
into ground so ball cant fit
underneath stick. Tilt stick face
down to create a trap for the
ball. Keep pressure until ball is
stopped still. If for a hit then
lift stick and use the head to
roll ball in for the strike. Left
hand controls this action.

Hit
See hit shooting
technique.
Specific for corner
striking: You must judge
timing so that footwork is
in sync with the injection,
step and roll so you are
coming on to the ball not
waiting for it. Practice to
ensure smoothness and
timing as well as making
sure the ball is in the right
place.

Left Slip
Stop slightly further back
than normal. Normal stop
technique. Lift right hand
up so stick is more
upright. Use stick head to
push ball and power ball
with left hand.
Alternatively- roll for hit
as normal and then hit
ball with handle of the
stick to the left.

Drag Flick
.

Whilst there are numerous techniques for

drag flicking this is a standard technique
we are using with girls at our club.

Run up: Lead foot will line up with ball and

be 2-4 metres wide of goal. This enables a
fairly straight run to ball and to goal with
ball with out having to change direction
which loses momentum and power. Run in
at a jog not a sprint so you can accelerate
with ball not decelerate.

Foot work: Left foot lands next to ball and

is sideways. Skip into circle with a cross
step (right foot behind left and landing in
same line) before extending left leg on the
same line to goal. As you drag the ball
forward transfer all body weight on to
front foot before releasing ball

Drag Flick Cont.

Drag: Collect ball behind body and start to drag

it as right foot hits floor on cross step. Drag ball
as straight as possible to maximise power. Drag
ball to release point level with or just in front of
front foot depending on stick curve.

Hands: keep hands low to floor. Bring left hand

into right forearm to create an angle to keep ball
on stick during drag. Start to bring left hand
away from right forearm as the ball gets closer
to release point. Just before release push left
hand forward and force right hand after it to
create the sling shot motion that will force the
ball hard at goal. Follow through.

Follow through: Continue motion after the

explosive front foot release. You should have to
take several steps at goal to prevent falling
forwards. If follow through is in any other
direction this will drastically reduce power and
indicate poor run up, footwork or direction of
movement

Penalty Flick
Stand side on and a
comfortable distance from
ball. Step front foot on ball
line. Stay low so you can
explode to goal using powerful
leg and gluteal muscles. Lead
with left hand and follow with
right to create powerful sling
shot action. Do not align body
and stick to show Goal Keeper
where you are going. Look at
ball not at goal. If using a run
up, use cross step to get to
ball. Use momentum to
increase power.