Frustrate The Defense By Making A Flip Pass Over His Stick!
If you want to become a great player, you need to master the Flip Pass. The key to a good flip pass is in the landing. You don't want the landing of your pass to bounce, flip and/or roll. You want it to land flat on the surface so you teammate can easily take control of the puck and skate forward.
The key in executing a great flip pass is the rotation of the puck, which is created by the puck rolling off the stick from the heel to the toe. The pass begins with the puck on the heel of you stick. You sweep your arms and hands across your the front of your body, rolling the puck toward the toe of you stick, and off the stick blade. The height of the pass depends on the angle of the stick blade. A more open stick blade will allow the puck to lift higher and a more closed blade will have a lower trajectory. The proper height is between ankle and knee level.
If a short pass is required and you need some height to clear the defenders stick, then the angle of your stickblade must be at about a 90-degree angle. If you need to make a longer pass, then the stickblade angle is less severe.
The best time to use the flip pass is during a man-advantage situation and in your power play situations. Let's say that your coming down the court with a 2 on 1 advantage, the opposing team's penalty killers will attempt to cut off the passing lanes with their sticks but if you have a great Flip Pass, you can easily pass over the defenders stick right onto you teammates stick in perfect position for him to shoot or fake a shot and pass it back to you.
The Flip Pass can also be completed off the backhand but like the backhand shot, it is more difficult to perform. And like any other skill in roller hockey, and as Bobby Hull says, "you need to practice, practice, practice."
To practice the flip pass, lay a stick down on the court and have a cone on the other side of the stick. You will need to flip the puck over the stick and try to land right at the cone. Practice both standing still and while skating.
Mastering the Flip Pass will greatly enhance your roller hockey game and will help you win more games and become a more valuable asset to your team.
