File picture of former Indian goal-keeper and India junior hockey staff coach P.R. Sreejesh.
| Picture Credit score: The Hindu
Having earned his maiden call-up to the nationwide camp in 2004 for the Junior Asia Cup, India’s latest triumph on the event with him as coach holds particular worth for PR Sreejesh. That it’s his maiden title in his new function made it extra particular.
“This event was my entry to the nationwide set-up so sure it’s particular to win it as my maiden title. However for the staff, it’s a large milestone. It was a dream and so they achieved it however extra importantly, it will likely be the beginning of larger desires — Asian Video games, Asia Cup, World Cup, Olympics — and the boldness that they will do nicely on greater levels.
“Nevertheless it was additionally a platform for them to grasp that the Junior World Cup subsequent yr gained’t be straightforward. We scored lots of objectives however to be trustworthy, this was not a simple event. Video games towards Japan, Malaysia and Pakistan informed us that, at this degree, all groups are equal, there aren’t any favourites,” Sreejesh informed The Hindu a day after the staff returned from Oman.
Having completed third on the Sultan of Johor Cup, the 2 outings have given Sreejesh sufficient insights right into a coach’s job. They’ve additionally given him a possibility to elucidate the distinction in significance of assorted competitions.
“Johor for me was a welcome event, an opportunity to grasp and analyse my gamers — the place they stand below strain, what they do towards large opposition groups. We completed third and missed the ultimate on aim distinction however actually, for me, being within the top-four was ok at the moment.
However JAC may be very completely different — it comes with strain and a JWC quota. Will probably be the identical scenario in a few years for the boys after they play the Asia Cup or Asian Video games with direct qualification at stake.
“It was additionally necessary for us as a result of we didn’t wish to go into JWC as a quota staff (as host) however declare our place on advantage as a matter of proper. Then again, we beat New Zealand and England at Johor and that mechanically translated into larger confidence towards Asian groups. However the boys now know themselves that when it comes to hockey, now we have to get higher in each division – health, fundamentals, PC variations — and that would be the focus for the following one yr. They know that in the event that they play on the identical degree in JWC, it will likely be tough to complete amongst medals,” he admitted. The Indian males have completed fourth within the final two editions of JWC after profitable the title in 2016 at house.
He’s studying his personal classes as nicely, an important being to cease pondering like a participant. “Your pondering sample has to vary. I’ve at all times been aggressive whereas enjoying so now I write down in my pocket book that remind me that I’m not a participant any extra and want to manage my aggression. Secondly, the significance of planning, doing issues in coaching that may occur throughout video games. Third, extra deal with the fundamentals — stuff like ball velocity and management, passing — reasonably than system, technique and so on.
“4, I understand how psychology works with gamers however now I must learn to apply that to those guys, know what works and what doesn’t with them. Lastly, get to know extra on energy and conditioning — as a goalkeeper, my coaching schedule was completely different from others. Now I must learn up, discuss to overseas coaches and keep up to date on the most recent. It’s child steps for me and I’m studying my approach round and intend to maintain doing it to construct a very good staff for JWC,” he signed off.
Printed – December 06, 2024 05:49 pm IST
