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iCoach therefore I am
We all want to improve our game and keep up with all the new
skills, and, now with the help of the latest technology and
some great training tips we can.
Those clever guys at sportplan have taken their hockey master
class clips and created an app for the iphone. So instead of
watching coaching videos from top internationals on your
computer you can now take them to the pitch with you! Genius,
and for only £3.49 for over 40 minutes of high quality video it is a
must have for all players who are serious about being the best.
The app includes the following videos and explanations
• Clip hits, slap hits and squeeze hits
• Hit and push passing using disguise
• Shooting and dribbling skills
• Penalty corner techniques
• aerials – throwing and receiving
• Drag flicking
• and a lot more.
So, whether you are a coach looking for a great on pitch
training resource or a player wanting to practise the above
with the help of top coaching advice, the master class app
is for you! It’s like having your very own international coach
in your pocket!
We tried it and loved it! Why don’t you give it a go!
Absolute power corrupts
Let’s face it if you are forking out £150+ for three feet of shape of the stick really delivers when it comes to slapping.
‘plastic’ you expect something pretty special. In the NPRO1 Similarly with quick pushes, injections for penalty corners
slazenger have delivered, just that, something and so on, this is a stick that can generate superb ball speed.
special. The low balance point initially made the stick feel ‘heavy’
First of all this stick has power to burn. The NPRO1 when used with one hand. But don’t let this put you off in
is an absolute cannon – in fact one of the dangers the shop – it didn’t seem to have any material effect on the
is that you’ll start enjoying hitting so much you’ll field and it does feel well balanced in two hands. The head is
be passing your team-mates some barely trapable also quite thick, at least compared to some of this season’s
thunderbolts and hurting your own goalie during the offerings. Inevitably this means small jinks over sticks take a
warm-ups. So be warned with great power comes great bit more practice – especially on hard sand-based astros.
responsibility. Also you have to be honest with yourself, Speaking of those evil sand-bases, head wear is a bit of
to hit well with these stiff, low-bow sticks you have to an Achilles heel when it comes to top-end sticks. Again the
be the sort of player who has really good control of the NPRO1 seems to cope pretty well. The stick is black, as far as
stick head when striking. If your hitting is slightly dodgy, I can see, right the way through (the carbon matrix is visible
you are going to be spraying dangerous knee- and ankle- all over the stick). So as it wears it stays black and doesn’t
trimmers all over the place. develop those embarrassing white marks. Purely a cosmetic
Balancing power and touch is the fundamental hockey point this, but together with neat, understated graphics this
stick design conundrum. Again, top marks to Slazenger is a stick that looks like it’s turned up to do a serious job.
here. The NPro range has a remodelled core this season The handle is also slim and so doesn’t feel too thick if you
which seems to offer an excellent compromise – for a 90 add the ubiquitous ‘chamois grip.
per cent carbon stick the first touch felt good from the first All in all, if your game is about distribution and good
outing on the field. control this is a stick well worth considering. And if you
In terms of other skills, the low-bow shape makes getting are looking for a top-end stick but still train/play on plenty
the ball in the air for drag-flicks and aerials as easy as of sand pitches you would be mad not to at least have a
possible, although this is really a question of skill, rather really good look at the NPRO1. RRP is £180 but with end-
than stick. But it is in general distribution – slap-hitting and of-season price cuts you might be able to pick up an
a
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pushing – that the NPRO1 really stands out. It has a 340mm excellent power stick for well under £150. P
(quite low) balance point which coupled with the stiffness and
CONSUME: Everything you need to know about what’s out there.

Push
Featuring product reviews, news and features.
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