OVERHEAD STRIKE

Key Points

• Adopt the ready position.
• Focus on the flight and pace of the approaching ball.
• Move underneath the ball as it drops.
• Move the feet to align the shoulders and hips with the intended flight of the ball.
• Whether the ball is hit from the dominant or non-dominant side is determined by the position of the moving ball.
• Keep eyes on the ball.
• Move to the lock position and as the ball approaches, swing on the ball at the highest point above the head.
• Rotate the shoulders and swivel the hips to aid the striking motion
• Use a wristy action to strike the ball.
• Good positioning and timing are vital if contact is to be made with the sliotar.  

Technical Drills

Drill 1 – Basic - Stationary Strike

• This is a basic drill to practice the Overhead Strike technique.
• Divide the players into groups of 3, one ball per group.
• Mark out distances of 10m and 20m using cones.
• Player A throws the ball underarm for Player B to strike overhead to Player C.
• Player C retrieves the ball and plays it back to Player A to repeat the drill.
• Repeat for a set time before rotating positions.

Drill 2 – Intermediate 

• This is intermediate drill to practice the Overhead Strike technique requires the player to move towards the dropping ball before striking.
• Divide the players into groups of 3, one ball per group.
• Mark out distances of 10m, 5m and 15m using cones.
• Player A throws the ball underarm for Player B to strike overhead.
• Starting at the 5m marker, Player B moves forward to strike the ball to Player C from the 10m marker.
• Player C retrieves the ball and plays it back to Player A to repeat the drill
• Repeat for a set time before rotating positions.