With five nets spread around the field, rectangular hollow slabs placed randomly and players moving around juggling tennis balls, the Indian hockey team’s training session on Thursday was an unusual affair.
Preparing for the World Cup in June, the Indian men, broken into groups of five and six, were being put through a series of innovative training methods as coach Terry Walsh tried to work them into a formidable unit. He needed to, given the fact that several players are either nursing injuries or returning from rehabilitation.
“We have 11 weeks to the World Cup which is a considerable amount of time. If preparations go as well in the next 8-10 weeks, I will be pleased. It’s important for the boys to believe that they are part of something special,” Walsh said even as the players continued working on their game.
It is unusual for players to continue practising after the coach had called it a day and Walsh was expectedly pleased. “That’s the good thing. The boys are raring to go, especially those coming back after a break. Gurbaj Singh is right up there with the rest, which is a tremendous achievement.
“He is an outstanding player, hats off to how much work he has done in his own environment outside the national camp. The level is very high for others but they are keen to work hard,” Walsh said.
The Australian, though, knows he has a tough year ahead. The World Cup would be followed by the Commonwealth Games, the Asian Games and the Champions Trophy.
“The World Cup is the biggest event besides the Olympics, so it is important. But, geographically, the Asian Games are more important for India with an Olympic qualification at stake.
“It would be good going through the front door though, personally, it doesn’t really make any difference at the Olympics,” Walsh said.
The team is focusing on several aspects — goal-scoring, defensive tackling, both individually and as a group, understanding how to press effectively, set pieces and counter control — with Walsh insisting that every area was equally important.
“The most important thing is for the players to grow in self-esteem and have the confidence to take on any team in the world, anytime. When you are physically able, you can do a lot of tactical things right because you have the mojo to do it,” he said.
