stickwork

American  

[stik-wurk] / ˈstɪkˌwɜrk /

noun

Sports.

1. a player's degree of competence or proficiency as a baseball batter, hockey or lacrosse player, etc..

   Frequent practice improved his stickwork.

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Etymology

Origin of stickwork

First recorded in 1900–05; stick ¹ + work

Example Sentences

He starts gently behind Mr. Blanchard, whose goal of building toward a climax is well-served as Blakey grows gradually more animated, ending in torrents of stickwork and declarative bass-drum kicks.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 15, 2025

His highlight reel is full of shifty stickwork, nifty moves and shots that leave goaltenders helpless to stop them.

From Washington Times • Jun. 26, 2023

Semin tied it with a power-play goal at 15:43, but Ryder answered less than two minutes later with a dandy display of stickwork on the left side of the net.

From Washington Post • Nov. 9, 2011

If the Philadelphia Flyers end up winning the Stanley Cup for the first time since the Bullies hoisted it 35 years ago, Carcillo's stickwork might be the turning point in their playoff run.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 19, 2010

B�hm's stickwork, as spare and exacting as needlepoint, is also an inheritance from Strauss, who, to contain his enthusiasm, often conducted with his left hand in his pocket.

From Time Magazine Archive