The Overhead Strike
Key Points
- Adopt the ready position.
- Focus on the flight and pace of the approaching ball.
- Move underneath the ball as it drops.
- Move the feet to align the shoulders and hips with the intended flight of the ball.
- Whether the ball is hit from the dominant or non-dominant side is determined by the position of the moving ball.
- Keep eyes on the ball.
- Move to the lock position and as the ball approaches, swing on the ball at the highest point above the head.
- Rotate the shoulders and swivel the hips to aid the striking motion
- Use a wristy action to strike the ball.
- Good positioning and timing are vital if contact is to be made with the sliotar.
Technical Drills
Drill 1 – Basic - Stationary Strike
- This is a basic drill to practice the Overhead Strike technique.
- Divide the players into groups of 3, one ball per group.
- Mark out distances of 10m and 20m using cones.
- Player A throws the ball underarm for Player B to strike overhead to Player C.
- Player C retrieves the ball and plays it back to Player A to repeat the drill.
- Repeat for a set time before rotating positions.
Drill 2 – Intermediate
- This is intermediate drill to practice the Overhead Strike technique requires the player to move towards the dropping ball before striking.
- Divide the players into groups of 3, one ball per group.
- Mark out distances of 10m, 5m and 15m using cones.
- Player A throws the ball underarm for Player B to strike overhead.
- Starting at the 5m marker, Player B moves forward to strike the ball to Player C from the 10m marker.
- Player C retrieves the ball and plays it back to Player A to repeat the drill
- Repeat for a set time before rotating positions.
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