Just hold it out in front of the hide he's in. I hold mine out 4 or 5 inches in front of the hide. It doesn't take them long to pick up the heat signature or the smell... Mine will hit the prey, constrict it, and usually eat it while being half inside the hide. Sometimes she'll even just drag the rat into the hide with her. I trust her abilities. LOL

If he doesn't want to strike it for you right away, you can just lay it outside of his hide and leave him alone for 20 minutes. Some folks will even leave it over night if they have to, just be sure to remove it if the snake doesn't eat it.