Spanish coach looks to build complete players

Age Correspondent

Pune

June 15: Heard of a hockey team with 10 midfielders and a goalkeeper? This is exactly what will happen when the senior men’s national team begin their training stint at the Balewadi sports complex here.

In a country where modern technology and methods are unheard of, Spanish coach Jose Brasa has much to offer. In a clearly spelled-out plan for the team, Brasa along with national coach Harendra Singh, has planned out a novel schedule for the boys.

Explained Harendra, “It might sound funny, but the playing XI in the practice schedule will be of ten midfielders and a goalkeeper from now on.

“The idea is to do away with the theory of fixed positions, and fixed mindsets. The players will have to shed the mindset that they have limited roles. A forward will not only be a forward, while a midfielder will not restrict himself to the half circle alone.

“Each and every player will have to come into play as soon as the team receives the ball. So every player will be addressed as a midfielder, who can fall back to aid the defence and can even go ahead and score goals.”

The coaching sessions will be divided into three parts. “We will have three sessions everyday instead of the usual two. They will be held at 6:30 am, 9:30 am, and 4:30 pm,” said Harendra.

“Morning sessions will focus on hard physical training, followed by technical and then strength training. This schedule will be followed on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. For Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, the focus will be on technical and individual strengths and weaknesses.”

Brasa, who spent almost the entire day working with various officials and administrations to get the things in order, said proper training were the key to a team’s performance.

“India’s players are very skilful. What we are trying to do here is to get the maximum out of their bodies. And this will come from scientific training,” Brasa said. Also in the pipeline are computer and English-speaking courses to make the players more aware. “The players will be given a laptop each, and there will be mandatory computer classes for all. Also they need to learn English to keep abreast of events,” said Brasa.

Added Harendra, “In India, coaches have never followed a pattern. It has been the usual and evening sessions, but such changes will create a huge impact.”