The pull-kick is another one of those shots that fall under the family of combination shots. This type of shot is just like a push-kick except the difference is that the ball is moving towards the shooter rather than away from the shooter. For that reason I call it the "pull-kick". Instead of pushing the ball to the middle man, you are pulling the ball.

The pull-kick

For some reason, I don't know why, I have noticed that the pull-kick is not as popular as its cousin the push-kick. Also, I have noticed that when players do use it, that it is more spontaneous than planned. In other words, this shot is done while the ball is in motion. I have also noticed that when players do this shot, it's target location is more random. In other words the shooter just hits the ball when they see a big hole. Whereas with a push-kick, I have seen players (myself included) who will set the ball, look over the defense, and then take what is there. I'm not saying that this cannot be done with a pull-kick, all I am saying is that I have not seen too many players shoot the pull-kick with the same mannerism as I have seen players do with the push-kick, which happens to be the more popular of the two shots.

To do a pull-kick is very similar to a push-kick. You basically apply the same methods that it takes to do a push-kick. One major difference is that you are setting the ball up on the far side of the table (the opponent's side). Another difference is in the way you work your hand and wrist. With a push-kick, your hand is more on top of the rod (handle). With the pull-kick, your hand is more to the side or sometimes almost under the rod. Because of this, I believe, it is harder to control your aim. In other words, it is harder to hit the desire target. Of course, the way players do this type of shot, as well as any type of shot, may vary.

I have seen players who do use the pull-kick as their primary weapon. This usually means that they will take the time to set the shot up and scope out the defense. Some of the better shooters may be skilled enough to hit the smaller tighter holes, but the less skillful pull-kick shooter may mix it up with other shots rather than attempt to hit a smaller and tighter hole. For instance, after the shooter sets up the ball to do a pull-kick, he or she may scope out the defense and then decide to do an angle shot or a pull shot with the far man instead.

The pull-kick optional short pull

Depending on what the defense is showing, with the pull-kick, a shooter has the option to shoot a short pull shot, or the shooter may choose to do an anlge shot instead.

The pull-kick optional angle shot

More often than not, most pull-kick shooters will initially look for the wide-open hole on the far corner from where the shot is set up at. If it is there, then they will take it. If not, then the shooter may use an angle shot or a short snappy pull shot instead.

One thing I have notice over the years that I never have understood is that some shooters will maneuver and orbit the pushing man around the ball several times just before shooting the pull-kick. I'm assuming that they do this as a way of winding up for the shot. This is a dead give-away or sign telling a skilled goalie that the shot is about to come. Against a less skillful goalie, this kind of pre-shot ritual maneuver may mean nothing, but for a goalie who is looking for ways to gain the advantage, this is something he or she can use as a tell-tail sign of when the shot is about to come.

So avoid doing any kind of ritual maneuver just before doing a pull-kick or for any shot for that matter. In fact, make it a habit to always be as subtle as can be when doing any shot. The idea is to strike when the goalie is least expecting it.