‘New concept is necessary for hockey to survive against T20 cricket’

By Mihir Vasavda | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA

Australia coach Ric Charlesworth, who has conceptualised Hockey 9s, tells Mihir Vasavda the new concept is necessary for the sport to survive alongside the fast-rising competition from T20 cricket and other games

You’ve always been regarded as someone who has done away with the traditional way and gone for more innovative methods, be it the playing style or training…

I have always felt innovation is the best way ahead. You can’t be satisfied with what you have. During my playing days — as a cricketer and hockey player both — and as a coach I have always tried to do things differently. At the same time, there has to be some logic in what you do. When we (Charlesworth and Hockey Australia) have come up with this new hockey format, a lot of thinking has gone into it. We have worked out the new regulations for almost a year before finalising them. It’s not something we thought overnight and thought of implementing it.

What prompted you to introduce the new rules?

Hockey Australia was wondering to have an event that was different and revolutionary in a way. We thought to tweak a few rules and see how it goes. Just as in the 1970s, when Kerry Packer revolutionised cricket and the game evolved, this is an opportunity to experiment with the rules of hockey. And here we are, with a brand new concept.

What was the thought process behind introducing these rules?

Hockey has developed significantly in the past couple of years. It has become much faster and fluent with more spaces opening up and more opportunity to attack and more goals. At the same time, the game became too much about strength and stamina rather than style. We wanted that element back in hockey. Thus, out went two players from each side, meaning there is more space. With fewer players on field, the players can showcase their skills more. Defence has to be alert, because there will be one attacker lurking there all the time and since the width of the goal has been increased, the goalie has to be more agile.

How does this concept change the dynamics of the game?

Oh it changes completely! First of all, the match lasts only for 30 minutes instead of the usual 70. A team can play only nine players and one of them has to be in the attacking half all the time. Plus you have a wider goal. So it’s totally different from the traditional way. The coaches and players will have to be smart to get accustomed to this concept.

What strategies do you suggest the teams should adopt?

Attack, attack, attack! If you look at each rule, you will notice it benefits the side, which plays that way. Australia does not believe in playing any other way. India, under Mike (Nobbs), I read played a very positive, attacking game in the Asian Champions Trophy and I will be surprised if they play any other way here. But then, the coaches may also want to play a bit defensively, fearing to concede goals. So, it’s totally up to the coaches but this concept is custom made to play attacking hockey.

How crucial is it that hockey has something new and different to offer to its audience?

It’s a matter of survival. I am not saying that the sport’s future is bleak or something… but there is increasing competition from other sports. Football is reaching unparallel heights when it comes to popularity and cricket is attracting eyeballs via Twenty20.

So, it comes down to how you market your sport and make it more popular. The FIH, on its part, has been doing a lot. The usage of blue-coloured turf at next year’s Olympics is one of the exciting things from TV viewing point of view. Similarly, we hope the new format will be a breakthrough in modern hockey, just as T20 is in cricket.

Hockey anyway is a complicated sport from a viewer’s perspective. Will the new format complicate things further or make it simpler to understand?
I hope it becomes less complicated. Of course, it will take some time getting used to it, but eventually I am confident people will accept this format.

You think India, European countries and FIH will accept it?

Well, India were the last one to take up T20 and first one to be the champions. You need to play and experience the fun part of this concept, while retaining the seriousness of the sport. I hope people look at this concept with an open mind and do not draw conclusions directly. FIH has supported it, so we are confident that hockey playing nations will back us.