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Hidden Ball Trick

Gait was also adept at another move that is still legal, and he demonstrated it the following year in a match against the Naval Academy. He had the help of his twin brother Paul, who also played for Syracuse. The Orangemen played Navy in the quarterfinal round of the 1989 NCAA Division 1 playoffs. On a dead ball play, Syracuse had possession following a Navy goal and the twins met at midfield to initiate the start of play. With their backs turned to the Navy defense, Paul appeared to transfer the ball from his stick to Gary’s. Instead, he did a quick twirl of his stick, and the ball remained in his webbing. The two then turned to start the play, with Gary running left at the defense, pretending to cradle a ball in his stick. Meanwhile, Paul casually walked to the right, holding his stick like he would if it were empty. The ploy worked perfectly. As Navy watched Gary, Paul suddenly fired the ball from 30 yards out right into the goal. The Navy goalie never saw the ball go in. Syracuse won 18-11, advancing to its second straight championship.

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