Sardar Singh knows how he wants hockey to be played. He talks about clever moves like the “fake body dodge,” emphasizing long passes and solid skills. Sardar envisions a game where forwards tackle better than defenders and defenders have skills that rival the forwards. It’s what he calls “total hockey.”
Once a star player and captain for India, Sardar now steps into coaching. He aims to pass on his vision and expertise to new players.
Sardar isn’t alone in this journey. Other former Indian players, like Tushar Khandker and Shivendra Singh, have also transitioned into coaching roles. Recently retired PR Sreejesh jumped right back into coaching the junior team shortly after finishing his playing career. On the women’s side, hockey great Rani Rampal quickly took on a coaching position.
This month, many of these coaches met again during the Hockey India League (HIL). This league, which transformed Indian hockey years ago, introduced players to international standards, turning them into Olympic medalists.
The HIL is back after a seven-year break. There’s hope it can once again change the way coaching is done in India. Legendary players now have the chance to mentor younger talent, while experienced coaches like Siddharth Pandey continue to work hard in domestic circles.
In this season of HIL, each team features a foreign head coach paired with an Indian assistant. Sardar is mentoring Dutch coach Jeroen Baart at Soorma Hockey Club, while Sreejesh leads the hockey operations for Delhi SG Pipers, under the guidance of Graham Reid. Other Indian coaches are also finding their place alongside foreign experts.
Sardar believes the HIL offers a unique platform for Indian coaches to learn and grow. However, the question remains: how sustainable is this reliance on foreign coaches? Over the past 15 years, India has invested heavily in hiring international coaches, helping the team progress toward Olympic success. But this model leaves many local coaches, who haven’t played for the national team, stranded without opportunities.
As a former player, Sardar has his regrets about not winning major titles like the Olympics. Now, he’s determined to help young players achieve what he couldn’t. He’s currently focusing on the junior team, aiming to instill the skills and mindset that will take them far in their careers.
Sardar shares his experiences as a player, reflecting on the challenges he faced, such as frequent coaching changes and position shifts. He is keen to prepare young players for any situation they might encounter on the field.
He also plans to revisit the Netherlands, where he played club hockey, to learn more about their youth coaching systems. Sardar hopes to blend these insights with his own ideas to benefit players under 15 in India. He has already started influencing young talents, like Rajinder Singh, who recently debuted for India.
Sardar aims to work closely with younger players, laying the foundation for their future in hockey. His smooth transition into coaching is not the same for everyone. Coaches without international playing experience, like Siddharth Pandey, strive to break through in a competitive environment.
For coaches like Pandey, HIL is crucial. It allows them to showcase their skills, especially since domestic competitions are often overlooked. “The earlier editions of HIL helped bridge the gap for Indian players to compete at a higher level,” he says.
Sardar and Pandey both recognize that working with foreign coaches brings new perspectives they wouldn’t find in India. Yet, Indian coaches offer important insights into local players, providing a balance in coaching dynamics.
As the season progresses, the hope is that more Indian coaches will be given opportunities to prove themselves. creating a richer coaching environment in Indian hockey.
With the right mentorship and resources, many believe that Indian hockey can continue to grow and thrive, producing not only talented players but also skilled coaches ready to lead the sport into the future.
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