The present paper is an attempt to summarize the results obtained on the modelling of the shoulder of flux phenomenon in the case of impinging jets on very hot plates. First, the phenomenon of shoulder of flux is described through literature results. Then, a physical approach of this phenomenon is given. The modelling of the shoulder of flux is based on the assumption of the existence of periodic bubble oscillations at the wall surface due to the jet hydrodynamic fragmentation. The modelling is carried out for the shoulder of flux region as well as for the first minimum and for the minimum film boiling points. These two points mark the beginning and the end of the shoulder of flux region. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.