India to play 9-a-side hockey in Australia

V Narayan Swamy, TNN

BANGALORE: Nine players a side, two of them always in the attacking half. Penalty strokes to be one-on-one battles between goalkeeper and the attacker. More tolerance of foot contact outside the circle to reduce unnecessary stoppages in play.

Space and stamina will be the essence in this form of hockey that India will attempt for the first time in October this year. Invited by Hockey Australia for a four-nation event that will be played alongside the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Perth, the Indians will relish the elbowroom as well as the shorter duration of the game. But what they may have to learn, in double quick time, are the tactics significant to nine-a-side hockey.

Hard running is one, frenetic pace, precise long passes and making do with lesser number of players are the others. While they seem to be par for the course, what may come as a surprise are the opportunities Indians may get to dribble and dodge. The space and India’s known allergy towards the long pass too may spur the return of individual skills.

Kookaburras coach Ric Charlesworth, however, thought the pace of the game would increase. “These rules will increase the pace of the game and result in a more attacking style, which is obviously going to make for great viewing and undoubtedly help us gain a few new fans along the way,” Charlesworth was quoted as saying in a hockey website.

The tournament, to be held from October 27 to 30, features Australia, India, New Zealand and Pakistan. Four women’s teams from the Commonwealth, including India and Australia, too figure in a similar tournament to be run concurrently.

Teams have requested additional matches with Australia, which Hockey Australia said it would consider.

Chief hockey coach Michael Nobbs introduced the concept at the training camp here last week. “I’m still yet to understand the complete rules and we’ve played just once during the practice session last Friday,” he said.

Nobbs said the nine-a-side version was experimental. “Ric Charlesworth has always said there might be too many players on the field. He modified the rules of original hockey to make it exciting. Hopefully we get more goals. I guess it will be fun too and we will be playing for the first time.”