The drag flick in field hockey derives power from turning the right hip into the shot, similar to tennis forehands and golf swings. It involves reaching a lunge position with bent elbows before the stick rotates forward, creating a 90 degree angle with the right forearm. As the right hip begins to drive and rotate into the shot path, weight transfers to the left leg and the right hand drives through the ball. Correct counter rotation of the stick is important to control the angle of release as the right hip and leg release through past the left leg. Practicing the drag flick involves breaking it into small phases, practicing each movement individually and slowly before combining into full movements.

1. The Use of the Right Hip to Power the Drag Flick
The power from a right hand forehand tennis shot or a golf swing comes from the leg
drive into a lunge position and the turning of the right hip into the shot. The power for a
drag flick comes from the leg drive into a lunge position and the turning of the right hip
into the push/release phases of the drag flick. Another sport which uses a right hip
release into the movement is the javelin in track and field.
Once the player has reached the lunge phase of the drag flick the two wrists and elbows
are bent approximately at the same angles.
The next phase the stick rotates forward as the right hand slows down relative to the left
hand creating a ~90 degree angle between the right forearm and the stick. The stick is
now pointing to the right of the line of the drag. For this reason the stick is rotated
forwards to keep the ball traveling alone the line of the drag flick.
It is at this point when the right hip begins the drive/rotation into the line or path of the
ball. The player’s right leg is now transferring 90-100% of the player’s weight to the left
leg which is flexed. The head is not moving as fast down the target line. The right hand
and arm are driving through the ball and the right shoulder is now recruited into the
motion because the right hip is turning.
It is very important to now counter rotate the stick depending on the intend angle of
release. The head should stay down and the right side should release through the ball.
The left side (shoulder, arm, hand) should resist the stick at this point so that the right
side can release through the ball.
The right hip and leg should release through and travel past the left leg in a controlled
manner. Watch how Gonzolo does it.
At this point the player must keep the stick traveling down the line relative to the left
foot. At a certain point the stick can now longer travel down the line and the head of the
stick stays extended from the body as it travels in a circle around the left foot.
Remember to not allow the head of the stick to travel past the left hand during the
rotation. Otherwise that will lead to a collapse of the resistance by the left side.
Points to remember during practice.
-have someone hold the stick over the release point of the drag flicker to ensure that
they stay down
-the drag flicker should not slide the end of the stick to the inside of the line, across the
ball.
-the ball at the midpoint should be rolled 6+ inches up the stick
-during the follow through the end of the stick/toe should rotate slightly down
-do not follow through with the stick face pointing up: you will lose a lot of power
-make sure that the feet/body rotates around the left foot after the release
Practicing the drag flick
Break each of the phases of the drag flick into small movements.
Practice each of the small movements on their own.
Make sure that the ball is in the correct position on the stick at each phase of the drag
flick (ensuring the correct position of the ball on the stick will ensure that even if other

2. things go wrong that the ball will be released at speed)
Practice the movements slowly until you get them right.
Practice small movements to fix flaws.
Alternate between small and big/full movements during drag flick training.