GROUND FLICK

Key Points

• Move towards the ball in the ready position.
• Keep eyes on the ball.
• On approaching the sliotar, release the non-dominant hand from the hurley.
• Move in close to the opponent.
• Extend the dominant arm to maximise reach.
• ‘Flick’ the ball from the opponent using a wristy swing.
• Remain as close to the opponent as possible to avoid follow through from their swing.
• Continue to try and gain clean possession.

Practice the Technique

Drill 1 – Basic 

• This is a basic drill to practice the Ground Flick technique.
• Divide the players into pairs, one ball per pair.
• Place 6 markers in a line approximately 2 to 3 meters apart.
• The players line up behind the first marker in pairs.
• Player A moves forward to the next cone with the ball at their feet.
• Player B jogs up beside Player A to flick the ball away one handed.
• Player A does not attempt to play the ball.
• Player B then recovers the ball and moves on to the next cone for Player A to flick, and so the drill continues.
• Having repeated the exercise at each marker, the pair return to the end of the line
• Continue the drill for a set time.
• The players should practice coming from the opponent’s left and right side.
• When the players can flick the ball from a stationary opponent, get both players to jog into the ball, with the tackler coming from slightly behind the opponent.
• Again the opponent provides token opposition and should not tackle the player.

Drill 2 – Intermediate - Chase and Flick

•  This is an intermediate drill to practice the Ground Flick technique.
• Divide the players into pairs, one ball per pair.
• Player A, the tackler, begins slightly behind Player B.
• The coach throws the ball forward for both players to run to strike the ball, with Player A attempting to flick the ball ahead of Player B making contact.
• Both players try to gain clean possession before returning to the end of the line.
• The next pair repeat the exercise.
• Reverse the roles after each round
• The players should practice coming from the opponent’s left and right side.

Developing the Skill

Grid Game - Get out of the Grid

• This is a grid game to develop the ground flick technique.
• Four pairs of players work independently in a grid 20m x 20m.
• One player in each pair attempt to keep possession while the second attempts to flick the ball out of the grid.
• Once the ball leaves the grid, both partners must leave the grid and sit down.
• Keep going until only one pair remains in the grid.
• Reverse the roles and repeat the drill.