India males’s hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh: I would like the world to recollect this group for counter assaults too | Hockey Information

Harmanpreet Singh: Strain, kis cheez da stress (Strain, stress of what). For me, each participant within the group is a sarpanch or captain or no matter one can name it. If every participant within the group performs as per the duty given, he’s captain of that facet. We all the time discuss in regards to the group not people and I’m glad that every member of the group understands that.

How did your journey as a drag-flicker start?

Harmanpreet Singh: It’s been greater than 10 years since I began drag-flicking. Once I was on the Surjit Hockey Academy (Jalandhar), I watched seniors apply the drag-flick after which I began working towards on the six-a-side turf. Initially, I had began as a ahead, then performed as a defender earlier than changing into a drag-flicker. Jugraj Singh paaji was my position mannequin and I mentioned nuances of drag-flicking with him. I used to mimic his model and observe his method. How he took a step in the direction of the ball, his physique posture when he launched the ball. He instructed me how physique power performs a task. He additionally used to emphasise that the discharge and jerk too depends on physique power in addition to coordination between the thoughts and physique.

What’s your favorite variation and does it maintain evolving?

Harmanpreet Singh: I assume my favorite variation is to the goal-keeper’s left facet. One of many hardest goal-keepers I’ve confronted is Belgium’s Vincent Vanasch, who’s a teammate on the Soorma Hockey Membership within the Hockey India League. The type of expertise he has makes him probably the greatest. It additionally depends upon the rushers. The rushers block the left facet (of the goalkeeper) so one additionally has to think about the precise facet. The primary time I regarded on the position of a drag flicker professionally was once I joined the junior hockey group. I might spend extra time within the fitness center as I understood power is critical if I’ve to outlive on the worldwide degree. I might additionally discover totally different angles or variations.

As a drag-flicker, which has been your favorite objective or variation?

Harmanpreet Singh: I assume I fee the objectives scored within the 2022 Commonwealth Video games in addition to the 2017 Asian Cup as considered one of my finest objectives. Towards Pakistan, I considered hitting in the direction of the goalkeeper’s left however then generally goalies additionally trick us with their preliminary stance. Once I was nearly to complete, I observed that he was going in the direction of his left and the rushers had been coming quick. So I modified my method and hit the shot in the direction of the precise. Fashionable hockey sees rushers being extra athletic and nicely constructed so we drag-flickers should strive the variations too. Whether or not it’s a low shot or a shot to the highest, the swiftness of the choice is the important thing.

How do you see your position outdoors of being a drag-flicker?

Harmanpreet Singh: Effectively, the position has advanced. We have now seen drag-flickers being rotated after each 3-4 minutes however these days drag sparkles should be on the sector as a lot as every other participant. Beginning off as a ahead after which a defender has helped me. In the course of the Rio Olympics, I used to have conversations with seniors like Rupinder Pal paaji and V Raghunath paaji. Each of them instructed me that I additionally should spend time on passing expertise, man-to-man marking… I don’t consider myself as only a drag-flicker however as a central defender too.

The Indian group performs zonal in addition to man-to-man marking model too. What did it take to alter the sooner method of passing and pushing?

Harmanpreet Singh: Indian hockey too has advanced. Whether or not it’s man-to-man or zonal hockey, we will combine it in line with what the scenario calls for. And these two Olympic medals are testomony to this. All this credit score goes to the coaches. Plenty of concepts and apply went in the direction of growing this adaptive model of play. It took us shut to 2 years to realize. The very best instance of zonal model was our quarterfinal match towards Nice Britain in Paris. Although we misplaced one man early, every of us knew that we had been answerable for our zones. We had practiced that and that’s what stored us within the recreation until the final second. We confirmed that we will play in line with the scenario. We believed in ourselves and our expertise and that’s what labored for us

Your ideas on international coach Craig Fulton and the modifications he has dropped at the group?

Harmanpreet Singh: I imagine that in fashionable hockey a coach doesn’t change many issues. One factor which Craig Fulton has dropped at the group is to play in line with the scenario and make swift modifications as per the scenario. His studying of the sport scenario has helped the group and his information comes helpful in powerful conditions. His clear communication has been the important thing.

India scored a historic win towards Australia after 52 years in Paris. Do you see such wins coming repeatedly?

Harmanpreet Singh: Effectively, once we went to Australia previous to Paris, we knew that some gamers had been new within the group and we needed them to study. The losses throughout that tour helped us to know what we wanted to do and that’s what we achieved towards Australia in Paris. It was considered one of our largest wins and as a group, as a captain, I’m glad that every considered one of us performed tactically. Whether or not it was zonal model or man-to-man or defence or assault, we executed our plans nicely. I would like the world to recollect this group for his or her counter assaults too within the coming years. We wish to stay among the many high three-to-four groups.