To take a lifted shot in field hockey, get the ball slightly ahead of your front foot inside the circle, lower your stick so the face slides under the ball, and use a pushing or flicking motion with your wrists and body weight to send the ball upward toward the top of the goal. Lifted shots are legal when taken at goal from inside the circle and are not dangerous, and they are useful for beating a goalkeeper who is low or diving. The key is technique rather than power: the best lifted shots come from a smooth flick, chip or drag flick that places the ball accurately into the upper part of the goal.
Why lifted shots are effective
Goalkeepers are well protected and very good at saving low shots with their kickers and pads. When a goalkeeper slides, dives or stays low to block a close range shot, the upper part of the goal is often open. A well placed lifted shot can go over the goalkeeper’s body or into the top corners, which are harder to reach. Lifted shots are also valuable at penalty corners, where drag flicks can be aimed high and wide, and in one on one situations where the attacker can lift the ball over a sliding goalkeeper.
Types of lifted shots
| Shot | How to do it | Best used for |
|---|---|---|
| Flick | Ball near the front foot, stick under the ball, push and roll wrists upward | Accurate lift from close to medium range |
| Chip | Short, sharp stab under the ball for a quick lift | Lifting over a goalkeeper’s body at close range |
| Drag flick | Drag the ball along the stick and sling it with the whole body | Penalty corners and powerful lifted shots |
| Scoop | Lift the ball with an open stick in a scooping motion | Slower lifts, often in tight spaces |
| Deflection lift | Angle the stick to redirect a moving ball upward | Deflections at the posts |
How to take a flick shot step by step
- Get the ball in the right spot. Position the ball slightly ahead of your front foot, which is the left foot for right handed players.
- Lower your body. Bend your knees and hips so you are low and balanced, with your weight on your back foot.
- Open the stick face. Place the stick face against the ball with the bottom slightly under it.
- Transfer your weight. Push forward from your back foot to your front foot as you move the stick.
- Push and lift. Keep the stick in contact with the ball while you push forward and upward, rolling your wrists slightly.
- Follow through toward the target. Point the stick toward the part of the goal you are aiming for.
Because the flick is a push rather than a hit, it can be very accurate and does not require a backswing. The height of the shot depends on how far under the ball you get the stick and how steeply you follow through.
How to chip the ball
A chip is a quick, short lift often used when a goalkeeper slides at the attacker. The player places the stick slightly under the ball and makes a short, sharp stabbing motion that pops the ball into the air. It needs soft hands and good timing rather than strength. Chips are usually used at close range, so the attacker must judge whether the lift is safe given the positions of the goalkeeper and defenders.
The drag flick
The drag flick is a specialist skill, mostly used at penalty corners. The player receives the ball, drags it along the stick while moving low and across the body, and slings it at goal with a powerful, whipping motion. A good drag flick can be very fast and accurately placed high or low. It takes a long time to learn safely and effectively, and players should work with a qualified coach because the technique places heavy load on the back, hips and legs.
Rules and safety for lifted shots
A raised ball must not be dangerous or likely to lead to danger. Umpires consider factors such as the height and speed of the ball and how close other players are. Under the rules, players must not intentionally raise the ball from a hit except for a shot at goal. On a penalty corner, the first hit shot must cross the goal line no higher than the backboard for a goal to count, but flicks, scoops and pushes may be higher if they are not dangerous.
Rulebook note: these points are based on the FIH Rules of Hockey. School, youth and national competitions, including NFHS rules in the United States, may restrict raised balls further or interpret danger differently. Always check the current rulebook for your league before practicing lifted shots in games.
Where to aim lifted shots
The top corners of the goal are the hardest areas for goalkeepers to reach, especially when they are low. However, a lifted shot does not always need to be very high. Lifting the ball just over a goalkeeper’s pads or stick can be enough to score. Players should also consider the goalkeeper’s position: if the goalkeeper is standing tall, a low shot may be better, while a sliding goalkeeper is often best beaten with a lift. Good shooters read the goalkeeper before choosing the shot.
Drills to practice lifted shots
Flick at targets. Hang targets or place cones in the top corners of the goal. Flick from different spots in the circle and aim for them.
Chip over a barrier. Place a low barrier such as a crash mat or bench in front of the goal. Practice chipping the ball safely over it.
Receive and flick. Receive a pass and flick quickly, reducing the time between control and shot.
One versus goalkeeper. Attack a goalkeeper from the top of the circle and decide whether to shoot low or lift.
Drag flick progression. For advanced players, break the drag flick into stages with a coach, starting slowly with no goalkeeper.
Common lifted shot mistakes
- Trying to lift the ball with a hit instead of a flick or chip.
- Leaning back, which sends the ball too high and wide.
- Ball too far behind the front foot, reducing control and lift.
- Lifting the ball into a crowded area, which can be dangerous.
- Forgetting to follow through toward the target.
- Using a lifted shot when a low shot would be better.
Health note: lifted shots, and especially drag flicks, can strain the lower back, hips and wrists. Warm up properly, build volume gradually, and seek advice from a qualified professional if you feel pain. Goalkeepers and defenders facing lifted shots should always wear the protective equipment required in their competition.
Frequently asked questions
Is lifting the ball legal in field hockey?
Yes, if it is not dangerous. Shots at goal from inside the circle may be raised, but intentionally raising the ball from a hit is not allowed except for a shot at goal.
What is the easiest way to lift the ball?
A flick is usually the easiest to learn because it is a controlled push without a backswing.
Can a drag flick go above the backboard on a penalty corner?
Yes. The backboard height limit applies to first hit shots, not to flicks, if the shot is not dangerous.
