Executing the Reverse Clamp at the Faceoff
The reverse clamp is a counter move used to win possession by attacking the ball from a slightly different angle. The player begins in a balanced stance with the stick head set square and hands relaxed to allow quick movement.
At the whistle, the player rotates the head of the stick over the ball in a reverse motion, using the wrists and top hand to seal the ball from the opposite side. The movement is compact and controlled, relying on leverage and timing rather than force. By changing the angle of the clamp, the player can disrupt an opponent’s standard clamp and gain control.
Once the ball is secured, the player stays low and balanced and immediately transitions into a rake, pop, or exit move. A successful reverse clamp depends on fast hands, clean mechanics, and decisive follow-through to turn the win into possession.