A tic-tac maneuver is when the stick is lifted over, and to the opposite side, of the puck. This can happen in a forward and back motion, which is called a vertical tic-tac; or in a side to side motion, which is called a horizontal tic-tac.
Vertical tic-tacs are performed using the standard grip and are primarily used to stop the forward momentum and capture the puck in advance of some sort of evasive maneuver (by moving the stick from behind the puck to in front), or at the end of such a maneuver when preparing to kick out of the maneuver or make a pass (by moving the stick from in front of the puck to behind it).
Horizontal tic-tacs are also performed using the standard grip but with the player's arm and wrist rotated so that the front bevel of the stick is contacting the playing surface and the tip of the stick is pointed forward. The top and bottom of the stick are used to re-direct the side to side motion of the puck in an evasive puck-handling maneuver all its own.
Tic-tacs can be done while a player is stationary (in a cobra position) or when a player is kicking with the puck.
Demo coming soon!
Tic-tacs are a highly used puck handling fundamental skill as nearly all evasive maneuvers can incorporate a vertical tic-tac at their beginning, end, or both. All stick types can use tic-tacs, where as some sticks with larger hooks have trouble with other similar moves, such as the vertical front to back roll.
There are few examples where it is inappropriate to use a tic-tac maneuver. However, tic-tacs should be performed quickly as they require giving up clear possession for a brief moment as the stick travels over the puck.
When taking the advantage puck, #10 does one small tic-tac before flicking.
TIC-TAC
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