Abstract

The penalty corner is one of the most important plays in field hockey. The drag flick is the most effective hitting technique
in penalty corner plays (McLaughlin, 1997). The objectives of this study were to describe the kinematic parameters of the
drag flick in international level players and analyze gender differences. The sample consisted of thirteen subjects: a model,
six men and six women. The Vicon automatic capture system recorded 20 hits by each player with a sampling frequency
of 250 Hz. The maximum velocities of the hips, shoulders, grip and stick head were higher (p<0.01) in the model than in
both gender groups. The relative distance of the final double support was lower (p<0.01) in the group of women. Statistical
comparison of the model with both gender groups has made it possible to identify the key factors in this technical action, with
a broad final double support, explosive movement of hips and shoulders, and finally a backward movement of the stick before
applying its final acceleration all being necessary.