With every field goal being valued as two, the fourth edition of the Hockey India League (HIL) in 2016 would likely witness some dramatic changes to the game.
The differential value for goals scored is perhaps among the most radical innovations introduced in hockey. According to this, a field goal during the HIL would count as two while a penalty corner would continue to be counted as one goal, making field goals twice as valuable. However, penalty strokes would continue to be counted as one except when a stroke is awarded for a deliberate foul during the execution of a penalty corner.
Rules and Regulations
Squad strength: 20 (12 Indians, 8 Foreign)
Rules for scoring: A field goal and penalty strokes other than those resulting from a penalty corner: 2 goals
Penalty stroke goals resulting from a deliberate foul during a penalty corner: 2 goals
Penalty stroke goals resulting from ball hitting a foot during penalty corner: 1 goal
Penalty corner goal: 1 goal
Shootouts: 1 goal.
Three days before the six franchises participate in the open auctions for the next two seasons of the event, Hockey India President Narinder Batra made the announcement here on Monday, and the immediate impact is likely to be felt during the auctions, with increased demand for forwards.
“We have seen teams trying to go for penalty corners instead of field goals. There is over-reliance on PC experts. We want to bring back the skills required for field goals and reduce over dependence on PCs. The decision was taken after consultations with all the franchises,” Batra said.
Giving a chance He added that the changed scoring pattern would also give teams a chance till the end. “A field goal in the last few seconds may well change the result of a match. It also gives all teams an incentive to go for a win instead of settling for draws,” Batra said. The move has been approved by the International Hockey Federation (FIH), leaving it open for experimentation in international competitions as well in due course.
Asked about the reduction in squad size from 24 to 20, Batra said, “We are in the process of expanding the HIL to 7-8 teams from next year edition (2017) with the number ultimately going up to 10 teams. While we can get enough foreign players, it becomes difficult to get good Indian players. We saw that last time also, when the team added later (Kalinga Lancers) struggled. We wanted to make the teams more balanced.”
While 20 countries besides India will be represented in the HIL, Pakistan has been ignored and Batra was categorical about it. “Given the current political situation and the kind of incidents that happened during the Champions Trophy last year, we are clear in our stand. We had said that we won’t consider any interaction with them unless the PHF expresses regret, which till date has not happened,” Batra said.
There have been reports of the federation keeping out older Indian players from the HIL but Batra dismissed the allegations. “There is no restriction from HI on anyone, regardless of age. But we also have to look at preparing the team for the future. Our main aim from the HIL is to give international exposure for players out of the national team. Here, they train and play with foreign players. We also consult the franchises on the kind of players needed to limit the list for auctions. That said, there is no bias against any senior player,” the HI president said.
