Abstract

The stationary strike at goal is a very important technical and tactical element in coaching field hockey. There is a version of the traditional drive called the “flat or low drive”, in which the stick describes a flatter path as it is brought down. This technique is widely acknowledged in the coaching world and players are trained to master it as technical groundwork of high efficiency (more accurate in direction and greater in speed) in stationary ball situations such as the penalty corner. The studies conducted on the flat or low drive have so far been few and they establish only some of the differences with respect to the traditional drive, focusing on the path and the angles of the stick and of certain body segments. The aim of this study is to make a comparative analysis of both techniques in order to establish the main differences from a biomechanical standpoint and bearing in mind the cinematic variables.