Kinematic pattern of the drag-flick: a case study

Abstract

The drag-flick is more efficient than hits or pushes when a
penalty corner situation is in effect in field hockey.
Previous research has studied the biomechanical pattern of the drag-flick, trying to find the cues for an optimal
performance. On the other hand, some other studies have
examined the most effective visual pick-up of relevant
information in shots and goalkeeper anticipation. The aim of
this study was to analyse the individual differences in the
drag-flick pattern in order to provide relevant information for goalkeepers. One female skilled drag-flicker participated in the study. A VICON optoelectronic sy
stem (Oxford Metrics, Oxford, UK) was used to capture the drag-flicks with six cameras. The results showed that the
main significant differences between right and left shots (p<0.05) in the stick angles, stick minimum angular velocity and front foot-ball distance were when the front foot heel contacted the floor(T1) and at the minimum velocity of the stick, before the dragging action (T3). The findings showed that the most relevant information might be picked up at the ball-and-stick location before the dragging action.