Rolling substitutions to be fine-tuned
Bangalore: The test series in January against Pakistan will throw up crucial pointers for hockey coach incharge Harendra Singh as he studies two contemporary concepts in the game—rolling substitution and multi-tasking players.
Harendra is still grappling with a surfeit of talent and more than one good choice in each position in the first camp but is confident that he would have a fair idea about the team nucleus by the end of the Indo-Pak series next year. Two factors—substitutions and multi-utility players—intrinsic to his plans too will have been fine-tuned by then, he hopes.
“I don’t think Indian coaches have ever used the rolling substitutions to the team’s advantage. That is because we have never understood the concept fully. We haven’t planned match by match or outthought our opponents during trying situations,” Harendra told TOI.
The coach said he was often baffled by the way a right winger or a midfielder was substituted, leaving his other partners in the zone either battling fatigue or struggling to keep pace with the player who has just come off the bench.
“There has to be a pattern in substitutions. That’s for the coach to devise. For example, you cannot remove a right winger and allow the right link and right half to continue playing, especially after they have done well as a trio. At least two ought to be replaced so that the two pairs of fresh legs which enter the field can make a difference.
“This is just one example. There are plenty of other factors that come in to play during substitutions. The form of a player, opponents’ strategy, our position in the match, etc. Once we begin thinking on our feet, substitutions can be a big boon,” he said.
“They need to be counselled and told that they are being substituted temporarily for their own good. It’s psychological as we have to cater to their egos as well.”