Greg Nicol

BY GREG NICOL

The biggest reason for trying to perfect the reverse stick shot is to add another dimension to all strikers' methods of finishing. By adding this shot to your game you will then have the edge on many a defender as well as most goalkeepers.

When approaching the circle, most defenders will try to channel you on to your left (weak side), but if you are able to shoot equally well from both sides this tactic will no longer work. This gives you the opportunity to create more space as a striker, to get your shot away, as defenders can no longer channel you to one side if both sides are equally dangerous.

1st thing to establish when trying to execute the reverse stick shot, is where on the stick you want to make contact with the ball. The ideal area is to use the inside edge of the stick, about 1-3 inches up the shaft from the head of the stick. By using the edge of the stick, you can generate a lot more power than if one were to use the face of the stick. Thus a shorter and quicker backswing on the reverse stick shot is all that is required, and it also gives you an advantage over keepers who always need time to set themselves to make a save.

Strikers must remember not to try to hit this shot too hard, especially on water-base as the stick tends to slide too quickly under the ball, resulting in shots sailing high over the cross bar. The margin for error on this skill is really small, so let the width of the stick generate the power for the shot, and not the swing.

Probably the most important aspects for perfecting this shot, are the footwork and the 1st touch. As with all circle play, the striker needs to be aware of where the defenders are and where the space is in the circle before the ball arrives. Now the 1st touch can be a deflection or pass into space away from the defender, and with quick footwork, a shot can be taken.

The perfect footwork is as follows, the front foot needs to be in line with the ball and perpendicular to the goal. Initially the front foot will be the right foot, but as one improves it becomes possible to execute this shot off either foot. This too can catch the keepers unaware if they are used to the shot always coming off the same foot.

If you are being marked tightly, it may be wise to trap the ball 1st and put a dummy or body swerve on the play, before moving the ball into the space for the shot. This gives you the extra time to get your feet in the right position.

Once the ball and your feet are in the correct position, strikers must remember to stay as low as possible for the shot. Your back knee and your hands should be almost touching the turf. If you come up too quickly, the angle of the stick will not be low enough to the ground at impact resulting in a complete miss of the ball or a shot that just catches the top of the ball. By raising your body too early could mean you are now too far from the ball and thus you will now be hitting it with the head of the stick and not the shaft. The most consistency for this shot is gained by having a low centre of gravity throughout the shot. I often make the best contact and get the best results when I am falling over because I am so low to the ground.

For the beginner, I would suggest to start with a stationary ball and just sweep the ball with the edge of the stick with a small backswing. As you improve you can take a few paces with the ball and extend the backswing slightly. Eventually you will be able to enter the circle at a reasonable pace a use a full swing. This skill will not be perfected overnight and a lot of time and practice is needed, especially on the fundamentals, before trying it out in a game.

Key points to remember:

Awareness of the defender and the space in the circle

Ball position and footwork

Low centre of gravity throughout the shot

Don't try to hit the ball too hard

The position on the stick where contact with the ball must be made

Finally remember to be patient when training this skill. It may take some time to perfect but once you start scoring a few it will keep the defenders and keepers guessing. This will give you a great deal of pleasure.

Yours in Hockey

Greg Nicol
September 2001

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