Technology taking hockey to another level
Biswajyoti Brahma,TNN
NEW DELHI: If you believe playing hockey is all about skills, well think again. With the evolution of technology, the game has reached a level where it can be compared – as far as planning is concerned – to chess.
The hockey support staff has become like those invaluable ‘seconds’ in the chequered board game, planning every possible move beforehand to outsmart the rivals.
The use of video analysis has reached such a level that teams no longer play according to their main strategy for the entire duration of practice matches before big events.
Indian hockey team and its coaches have also woken to the fact that every move of theirs is closely monitored and scrutinised. “In practice matches, we use different strategies.
We don’t use the strategy we are going to use in the tournament for the entire duration of the practice matches. We use them at some point of time and for a limited period of time,” Indian junior hockey team’s coach Baljeet Singh Saini said. “These days video analysis is a very important factor. In that sense you can’t expose yourself.”
We have butterflies in stomach but not under pressure, says coach Saini
India may be playing the important tournament at home but that won’t put pressure on the home players, said coach Saini. “We have got a lot of exposure before the event. This team has been together for the last two years.
It’s like the school exams. Events like these tell you where you stand as a team. Looking back at the tournaments we have played, I can assure you that we are confident,” said Saini.
“You have butterflies in the stomach before the start of the match. You are excited and a bit anxious. But once you get into the ground and touch the ball you don’t know whether you are playing in India or abroad. You get into the zone. What happens in the stands does not matter much. You are just focusing on the ball,” added the coach.
Captain Manpreet Singh said the team was not under pressure since they have played some senior tournaments together before the junior World Cup.
Saini said that the team was on track. “We have participated in senior tournaments to prepare for the World Cup. We did well in Johar Baru where we won the title. We finished fifth in the in Asian Champions Trophy, but as coaches we are quite satisfied with the performance there.
“We are on track. Our preparations have been good. We have studied the grey areas and have worked on it.”