With the fourth edition of the Hockey India league (HIl) starting today, the league has been introduced an interesting rule that could change the landscape of hockey if implemented on the international stage.
In HIl 2016, a field goal will be counted as two to encourage more skilful and tactical hockey. Also, to curb rough tackles, two goals will be awarded for every goal scored from a penalty stroke resulting from a penalty corner where a goal being scored is prevented by a deliberate foul. But for the penalty corners, penalty strokes and shoot-outs the usual one goal will be awarded on conversion.
While the intention was to make the sport more exciting and attacking, the players are undecided.
VR Raghunath, captain of Uttar Pradesh Wizards said: “With the new rules coming in, the dragflicker will feel less pressure and there will be more pressure on the strikers as they have to score field goals. But at the same time the forwards will have so much of opportunities to show their skills to the audience who will get to see good attractive and competitive hockey game.”
Ranchi Rays, Ashley Jackson is not too pleased with the new rule but said the change will make the game more interesting. “As a dragflicker I don’t like the rule. But on the flip side it is also a challenge for the defence because you will get to see more attacking hockey. It is interesting because if you are one goal down in the last minute you still have a chance to win the game,” he said.
He however, added that the team wouldn’t change its strategy to the rules. “Maybe if we score more corners, then two field goals won’t matter. We are just going to play and not going to try and change anything for field goals,” he explained.
Delhi Waveriders captain Simon Child feels the rules are good for forwards. “It’s good for forwards, I am happy as a forward,” he said with a laugh.
Although he feels the new rule might make the teams focus more on defense. “It takes a while to adjust to those rule change. Teams might focus on defense and be more defensive. It (games) might be decided by a drag flicker at end of the day,” he explained.
Child said only time will tell, whether the new rules will add up to the entertainment. “All rules are to make it entertaining for the TV audience and more viewable on TV. It’s made for same reason, we will see whether it works are not,” he said.
India captain Sardar Singh of Jaypee Punjab Warriors also echoes the same views. “It can get defensive as some players said. But it has been implemented for the very first time so let’s see how it pans out. For example an opponent scores two field goals in the first five minutes, they’ve got four goals lead already. Then they can stand back and defend. Only once the tournament is over can there be an assessment of this rule,” he said.
Dabang Mumbai captain, NikkinThimmaiah said they may have to change the strategy to be a bit more offensive. “Field goals will be helpful. Now a days field goals are less, so we have to work hard as a forward,” he explained. “We will be working on attacking side and lets see what is happening.”
It must be remembered that this isn’t the first time HIl has been used as a platform to test newer rules and ideas. The 15-minute per quarter rule was first introduced in the HIl to make the game last an hour while the international stage continued to play two 35-minute halves.