Goalies to train with wider goal
BANGALORE: The Indian team will soon start practicing with a set of goals which are one metre wider to get its custodians ready for the four-nation 9-a-side Super Series in Perth, Australia in October.
Chief coach Michael Nobbs has already got down to brass tacks and has been promised by Sports Authority of India that a new set of goals would be made as soon as possible. “I am trying to get the new goals made,” Nobbs confirmed. “I have been told that a carpenter would come down tonight and look at how we can get a set of goals made. I hope it happens quickly. One metre is substantial in terms of width for the goalkeepers to cover and requires a big change in approach.” The FIH specification for goal width is 3.66 metres.
Nobbs also has his task cut out as he sets about changing his players’ mindset during penalty corners and penalty strokes. The strokes are similar to the new penalty shootout (one-on-one with the goalkeeper) rules that the International Hockey Federation (FIH) specifies but the penalty corners present a totally refreshing picture – that of a set-piece situation without the drag-flick.
According to Hockey Australia website, penalty corners are a face-off between four attackers and three defenders, including the goalkeeper, with a 25-second timeframe for each such situation to be completed.
Meanwhile, players began trooping in at the South Centre for the camp which begins on Tuesday. In all, 48 players have been asked to join. Thirty of them ought to be checking in by Monday night while the 18 players who represented India at the Asian Champions Trophy in Ordos, China, will be in by this weekend.
Selection trials have been scheduled for September 26.