How did you learn this skill?

A lot of what I have learned about this skill and what is contained in this booklet is self learned and self taught. I have experimented for 7 years now on different techniques, sticks, stances etc. and I am still experimenting now.

How can I become better at this Skill?

Practice, Practice, Practice. Remember, what you put in you will get out.

How fast can you dragflick a hockey ball.

I have seen speeds of up to 80mph (120 kph). However these are guys/girls who practice the skill for hours a day 7 days a week. However, it is not raw speed that’s scores goals. I was a very successful flicker and I never flicked above 60mph. The ability to be accurate outweighs the ability to flick the ball hard.

Can girls do this skill?

Yes they definitely can. One of the finest flickers around is a girl called Pietee Coetzee. The only American girl I have seen dragflick a ball (Oct 2002) is a girl called Carolyn Steele. To put it into perspective her quickest flick has been 52mph. She has been flicking the ball for 4 months.

Why is the Dragflick so effective?

The dragflick is so effective because it is the only way that you can put the ball in any part of the goal at speed and with deception from a straight shot. It is also so effective because if it is done well there is very little chance that the goalkeeper can move quick enough to save the ball.

How long does it take to perfect?

I have been doing the skill for 7 years and have flicked at every level. I STILL do not have what I describe as perfect technique. Everyone makes mistakes and you need to understand this. You are never going to score every goal. The best strike rate I have ever seen was 26 goals from 40 Corners – a whopping 65% success rate. At a decent level of play that strike rate is virtually unheard of.

Any tips for me as a flicker?

You need Patience, hard work and dedication. These three things are what you need to succeed as a dragflicker. You are not going to be able to flick a ball at 75mph within 3 days of picking up the stick. You should view every part of your learning curve as important. The dragflick is one of the few skills that needs every element of it to work well. If your footwork, or hand position is off then the whole flick will be bad.