One of the innovations of last year Premier Hockey League in India was introduction of one-on-one. Instead of teams straightaway going to stroke based tie-break in the event of teams leveled on scores, five players from each side were asked to score within stipulated time with only goalkeeper to beat. Crowds enjoyed it.
The same rule is now being applied in the ongoing Euro League. Another innovation in the 24-team Euro League is suspension timings and method. Green card does not mean just a warning but two minutes suspension whereas yellow card will mean 5 minutes suspension.
According to Maurits Hendricks, who as the technical consultant of India’s PHL, the one-on-one provision was introduced in the statute books, felt the another area which offers scope for innovation is frequent and before whistle charging of defending team in penalty corner situations. In the worldhockey monthly magazine he said these things, if looked at and improved will be more spectator worthy. However, in the same programme Dutchman Roelant Oltmans felt the FIH should not rush into accepting these rule changes at any rate not in the build up and the Olympic year. “After Olympics, yes” he said.
In India, Ten Sports and Star Sports telecast the FIH’s World Hockey magazine, whose video is available in the official FIH website.
The latest one, among other things, highlighted the Euro Hockey league and the Two 4-Nation tournaments organized by the Singapore Hockey Association, which Australia’s men and women won.
Note: Story based on watching latest FIH’s WorldHockey Magazine.