Flick
A quick, wristy strike that whips the ball with sudden acceleration, with distinct forms in field hockey, table tennis and football.
Definition
A flick is a short, explosive striking action powered mainly by the wrist or a quick snap of a limb rather than a full swing. Across sports it is prized for disguise and suddenness: the small motion gives opponents little time to react.
The specifics differ by sport. In field hockey a flick lifts the ball off the turf, with the drag flick a key penalty-corner weapon. In table tennis the flick attacks a short ball over the table using wrist snap. In football a flick is a deft redirection with foot or head, such as a flick-on from a header. In each case the common thread is generating pace and change of direction from a compact, wristy motion.
Meaning by sport
This term is used differently across sports:
- field hockey
- A stroke that lifts the ball off the ground with a scooping, wristy action; the drag flick is a powerful version used especially at penalty corners.
- Table Tennis
- An aggressive shot played over the table against a short ball, using wrist snap to attack rather than push.
- Football
- A deft touch that redirects the ball with a flick of the foot or head, such as a flick-on or a backheel flick.
Where you’ll hear “flick”
Sports that use this term:
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Equipment
- Hockey stickA curved-headed stick used to control, pass and shoot the ball or puck in hockey.
- Table tennis batA small wooden blade covered with rubber used to hit the ball in table tennis.
- Football (soccer ball)A round, inflated ball used to play association football and futsal.
- Tennis racquetA strung frame with a handle used to hit the ball in tennis.
- Tennis ballA hollow rubber ball covered in felt used in tennis and related racquet sports.
Techniques
- VolleyA shot played near the net by blocking the ball out of the air before it bounces, using a short, firm punch rather than a full swing.
- HeaderA technique for controlling or striking the ball with the forehead in football, used to pass, shoot or clear the ball in the air.
- Table Tennis Forehand DriveA controlled attacking stroke in table tennis, played on the forehand side with a compact swing and light topspin.
- Topspin ForehandA forehand groundstroke hit with a low-to-high swing that puts forward spin on the ball so it dips and kicks up on landing.
- One-Handed BackhandA backhand groundstroke struck with a single hand on the grip, driving through the ball with a full extension of the hitting arm.
Decision making
- Positioning choicesDeciding where to place yourself — often before the ball arrives — to cover space, stay ready to act and shape what an opponent can do.
- Reading spaceSeeing where space is — and is not — on the field or court, and using it to decide where to move, pass or play.
- Transition decisionsThe choices made at the moment a situation flips — winning or losing the ball, and switching between attack and defence.
- Shot selectionChoosing which shot to play from the options available — weighing the situation, the risk and what you are trying to achieve.
- Adapting to conditionsAdjusting your decisions as the conditions around you change — weather, surface, equipment, fatigue or an opponent's style.
Skills
- ServingThe skill of putting the ball or shuttle into play to start a point or rally.
- Ball controlThe skill of receiving and settling the ball quickly so it is ready to use.
- HeadingThe skill of directing the ball with the head to pass, clear or attempt to score.
- ReboundingThe basketball skill of gaining the ball after a missed shot.
- PassingThe skill of moving the ball to a teammate accurately to keep possession and create chances.
Skills Academy
- Ball-sport skillsThe skills that recur across ball games — control, passing, dribbling, shooting and defending.
- Object-control skillsHandling a ball or implement — controlling, receiving, passing and moving it with intent.
- Racket-sport skillsThe core skills of racket sports — serving, returning, rallying and controlling the net.
- Team-play skillsThe skills that make a team work — combining, covering and communicating through the ball.