Focus on improving drag flicking, goalkeeping: Dilip Tirkey

NL Correspondent
New Delhi, Nov 21: In a recent correspondence across all Hockey India Member units, Dr Dilip Tirkey, President, Hockey India stated the growing
importance of specialist drag-flickers and goalkeepers in modern hockey.
He also highlighted the need to develop a talent pool of young athletes specialised in these two skills.
He stated, “The drag-flicking technique has become one of the most thrilling aspects of modern hockey. The joy of a well-coordinated penalty corner
with the ball being dragged at the speed of a bullet going past the wall of defenders always emerges as one of the most exciting aspects of the sport”.
“Similarly, there is a growing importance of having a well-trained and agile goalkeeper. India's recent success in major international tournaments can
be attributed to PR Sreejesh and Savita Punia who have played their roles with utmost professionalism,” mentioned Tirkey.
He further added, “Drag-flickers and goalkeepers at Junior level still need vast improvement in their game skills. Hence, there is a growing need for
specialised coaching across these disciplines at the academies.”
In light of this need for enhancing our pool of talent across these aspects, Hockey India has initiated a process of scouting talent from a young
age and with the support of the Hockey academies and sports hostels, support the training and selection of these athletes for national programs.
Additionally, to develop better young talent across these two critical domains, Hockey India has urged the member units to initiate specialised
coaching across the Hockey academies and sports Hostels. The coaches engaged for this will train Zonal teams selected during inter-zonal
tournaments. These coaches, who are as essential to the ecosystem as all other coaches, will also get a chance to enhance their own skills as part of
this programme.