Executing the Plunger at the Faceoff
The plunger is a faceoff technique used to control the ball quickly and gain leverage after the whistle. The player starts in a balanced stance with the stick head positioned square to the ball and hands relaxed for fast movement.
At the whistle, the player drives the top hand straight down, plunging the head of the stick over the ball to trap it cleanly. The motion is direct and compact, using body weight and wrist strength rather than swinging the arms. Keeping the head low and tight helps secure the ball while limiting the opponent’s access.
Once the ball is trapped, the player stays low and balanced, ready to rake, pop, or move the ball to space. The plunger is most effective when it is quick, controlled, and followed immediately by the next action to maintain possession.