Soft skills in hockey: Grossly undervalued

The game of hockey has improved and advanced tremendously in most departments during the past few decades. There are many more positives to talk about and cherish than the negatives. It is beautiful to see how the teams knit so many passes together, with such ease and grace, especially when not under pressure. That’s thanks largely to the innovative strategies of circulating the ball in the back, the no obstruction rule and intelligent running off the ball, by the players individually and as a team.

Knowledge gap: What needs to be improved to take the game to the next level?

I strongly feel that, in spite of the vast improvements mentioned above, we have overlooked and not been able to optimize the application of soft skills – offensively and defensively. This has affected the standard of our game and is the missing link, particularly during the game situations where players are encountered with a 1 on 1, or 1 on 2 contest, which may require ball possession skills under huge pressure, or clean elimination skills in a confined space.

This is due to the fact that we have not been able to nurture and develop the players’ sophisticated analysing and decision-making skills, to read and recognize the fast changing – close range – patterns of play or recall them to a high degree. Due to a combination of all these factors, we are not as effective as we can – or should – be, as is expected from the players who are playing at the highest levels of competition. We are better at using hard skills (force) than using soft skills (grace). Brawn over brain!

Definition of hard and soft skills, by Daniel Coyle

Hard skills can be defined as skills that have one path to an ideal result; skills that you could imagine being performed by a reliable robot with repeatable precision, and are tend to be found in specialized pursuits, particularly physical ones. For example: drag flickers in hockey.

Soft skills can be defined as those that have many paths to a good result, not just one. These skills aren’t about doing the same thing perfectly every time, but rather about being agile and interactive; about instantly recognizing patterns as they unfold and making smart, timely choices. Soft skills tend to be found in broader, less specialized pursuits, especially those that involve communication, such as: a forward – Jamie Dwyer – sensing a weakness in the defence and deciding to attack. Soft skills are about the three Rs: Reading, Recognizing, and Reacting.

Self-awareness: We sure have undermined the importance of soft skills, and have not made enough of an effort to clearly understand when, where and how to employ them. The paradox of the times is that after improving so much in the physical and tactical elements of the game, resulting in creating ample space, individually and as a team, we have not been able to optimise its use to play the game more gracefully and effectively. It’s like a fish being thirsty in the water, with water being all around it.

Comparative analysis of the traditional tactical plays and the current ones in vogue, in context of applying hard and soft skills

It is a known fact that the western world coaches have criticized India and Pakistan for playing in their specific zones and lanes in the defence and offence, respectively. And for being too rigid, rather than being strategically innovative and flexible. I agree; that is a fair comment. One cannot be that rigid and has to be flexible, with fast-changing strategies, tactics and times.

Lately, with the western world coaches’ influence, the former Asian giants have adapted and changed, especially the way the front three forwards lead and interchange positions on the run effectively. Credit goes to Coach Jose Brasa and Coach Michael Nobbs for bringing this change in the Indian team.

Current Situation: Lately, the Indian and Pakistani players sure have learned how to interchange positions but have also unlearned the soft skills, of which they were the masters! They have forgotten what to do with the ball in the new changed position, or for that matter even in their original position, while employing specific soft skills. This is in regard to playing one’s role and responsibility – ABC – in a specific position and mastering the soft skills required to drive it smoothly. In a way they have been caught in a situation like “a person who chases 2 rabbits catches neither”.

Excess of anything is bad

The current hockey gurus/coaches have overlooked the importance of some very specific spots – mini gold mines – on the field, which appear just for seconds during the run of play. These carry a huge tactical advantage in a 1-on-1 contest or in implementing the play-making moves and plays, while employing soft skills. One of the drawbacks of always adopting the mantra to play the game at one pace and that being fast, faster and faster, is that it does not help in recognizing these mini gold mines at the optimum time. We have been caught in a speed trap. And this curse of speed has infected our thinking – leading to a fixed mindset – and the game, in a good and not-so-good way.

Interchanging lanes and positions too frequently

I strongly feel that the western world players – especially midfielders and forwards, sometimes go too far, kissing the extreme of the other end of the spectrum; interchanging lanes and positions too frequently. Their investment of high work rate does not match the returns from the effectiveness and efficiency point of view. During certain phases of the game, players get too busy interchanging positions, for the sake of inter changing, without even recognizing and capitalising on the golden opportunities – mini gold mines – which are already present and waiting to be exploited. In a way, they get busy without business.

Value of location

We have blurred our crystal clear perspective of where we are on the field, where we want to be, and which specific soft skills to employ in a specific situation to be most effective. This is in relation to the tactical importance of the various specific zones – mini gold mine pockets – near the opponents’ defensive zones. In a way we are treating all zones on the field the same way, while being not able to differentiate which one is gold, silver or bronze.

There is definitely a vital co-relation between specific zones on the field and their tactical importance, and execution of play-making plays by using the soft skills to score – or defend – field goals. One of the reasons for this can also be attributed to our tendency to play the game at one pace. And that is very fast, without changing the mental and physical gears. We have got addicted to this. We need to slow down with the ball to scan the field, see the changing patterns, gaps and the opportunities, which are instantly available to be explored. Speed thrills but kills.

Game situation examples

Please refer to the following co-relating examples with regard to the above point, where diligent application of soft skills and change of pace to recognize the changing patterns of play, would have gone a long way.

Example 1: I was observing the highlights of the 2013 Oceanic Cup women’s pool match between Australia and New Zealand. The winning goal of the match was scored by NZ, from a turnover, which came from the stick of one of the most promising players in the world. We all see things differently and in our own way, and this is the way I see it.

In my humble opinion, the player with the ball did not clearly recognise the zone or lane of the given specific part of the field. Read the play smartly and adjust to the fast changing game situations – patterns of play – to make a wise decision. This sure cost the Aussies a game. We all make mistakes. To err is human. As long as we learn from our mistakes and improve, we can become better hockey players.

Please see the following sequences of the photographs which elaborate my point.

Photo 1: The player highlighted has picked up the ball near the right side of her circle and has changed the direction.

Photo 2: She has started floating towards her left towards the strong side of the opponents; a smart move, as she has evaded three Kiwi opponents and caught the one closest to her – challenging her – on the wrong foot.

Photos 3 and 4: It is time to switch the mental gears, as new patterns of play/options have developed and presented themselves. There sure is time for the player with the ball to open her right foot and pass the ball to the right half or right winger; see arrow.

Photos 5 and 6: The turnover has happened, and the counter attack launched … out of the frying pan into the fire!

Photo 7: The winning goal has been scored.

Example 2: During the 2014 WHL Finals, semi-final match between Australia and Netherlands, an Aussie player with the ball did not read the game situation and optimize the application of soft skills while slowing down, which resulted in the first goal being scored against his team. See the following sequence of photographs:

Photo 3 and 4: Turn over and counter attack is launched.

Photos 5, 6 and 7: The Dutch forward takes the try and scores the first goal of the match.

Example 3: I am not trying to beat a dead horse or annoy my friends from Down Under, who have taught me a lot as a coach. But during the 2012 London Olympic Games semi-final match between Australia and Germany, the Aussies made an unforced error in the nearby zone, as in the first two examples. This may be due to the fact that they took recognising/recalling patterns of play lightly, or perhaps because of miscommunication or misunderstanding, but the naked fact is that it snatched the Olympic gold medal from their reach. The Aussies were leading 2-1 in this crucial match with less than 20 minutes to go. The Germans won the match 4-2 and eventually the Olympic Gold medal, too.

Here are the photo sequences of this specific game situation.

Coaching tip to cope with different game situations in different zones of the field

There are different moves – dodges – for every position, zone and situation on the field. One size does not fit all. For example, the dodges – moves – of the right full back or right inner on top of one’s circle are different from those, when they are on top of the opponents’ circle. There is a day-and-night difference in these 2 game situations, from the tactical thinking point of view and the key decisions to be made. This is one of the aspects of the game – insight – in which our coaches have not been able to make the same degree of improvement as was envisaged. We lack clear conceptual understanding, with regard to the specific soft skill dodges/moves to be implemented in given situations.

When we closely compare and dissect the above three Aussie examples under a microscopic eye, it would be clear that they are more or less in the same specific zone of the field and of a similar nature. It seems like the Aussies underestimated the potential dangers of taking a risk in this red light defensive zone. It was a judgemental error in reading the current game situation and not knowing which dodge or move to employ in it and why. And this, from world class players possessing supreme skill-sets. By the way, and I see things like this happening over and over, from the sticks of the other world class players/teams too. Strange but true!

A good way to remember the various zones of the field is to refer to the analogy of the traffic lights at an intersection. One can right away see the red light and correlate it to the red light defensive zone of the field. Slow down and switch gears while lifting the foot from the gas pedal to plant it softly on the brakes.

Importance of soft skills

With their lack of in-depth space awareness, inability to recognize the instant changing game patterns and unawareness of the “historically important, tactically-rich offensive gold mines or defensively dangerous landmines”, the current generation of players/coaches are missing a point which has affected our game. Do you think we – players and coaches – are deliberately ignoring the above points, or that we don’t know about them and are ignorant? Hard to say, you be the judge!

Embrace the soft skills

It is obvious that a majority of the players from the current generation have not been introduced to soft skills, especially possession skills – ball control – in a close range situation under pressure. No doubt they have mastered the hard skills, but in the absence of soft skills, they are falling short significantly. The specific areas which need to be improved are:

- Footwork with the ball

- Stick work and stick feints

- Deception and body feints

- Dexterity

- Knowing the silky soft moves to implement in various tight game situations

Value of soft skills

Soft skills add an element of surprise and grace which have no match, as they make the game more attractive and elegant. This is what differentiates the great from the good. The three photo sequence examples above clearly demonstrate how good foot work, stick work, dexterity and recognizing the instantly changing game patterns – game sense – could have served the Aussies better in the final outcome. In the long run, these skills could serve to improve the standard of the game.

Charlie and his angels with the soft magic touch

If there was any team in the world which optimized the implementation of soft and hard skills since the mid 80s, after India and Pakistan’s domination had evaporated, it was Australia’s men’s and women’s teams from the 90s. That that was their peak era; the era of “Charlie and his Angels”. The records speak for themselves.

The Aussies had many skilful players on the team who could turn on a dime and make the opponents look really bad, forcing them to bite the dust. Some of the names that come to mind are Rachelle Hawkes, Alyson Annan, Nikki Hudson and Jenny Morris. Now the Aussies have drifted away from their very core strengths, which had made them untouchable and consistently victorious, and this has allowed their traditional rivals to catch up.

A ray of hope

I see a wave of change coming in the Australian women’s national team, where the combination of hard and soft skills is being implemented nicely. Their recent results are proof of that. This is encouraging. Credit for that goes to Coach Adam Commens’ vision and coaching philosophy. The Hockeyroos are not there yet, but they are not too far either; hopefully the next generation of juniors will get there and start dominating the game with the right blend of soft and hard skills, as they did in the 90’s.

After the final of the 2013 Investec World League semifinals, Kate Richardson-Walsh, captain of the England national team, said, “It’s never nice to lose a match, especially in a final, but hats off to Australia; I thought they played a fantastic tournament. Around the circle they looked like Aussie teams of old.” A well-deserved compliment for Coach Adam and his Hockeyroos, indeed!

Example 4: Clean elimination in a 1-on-1 contest - During the WHL Finals semi-final match between England and New Zealand, the England player had the ball in an offensive 1-on-1 contest, with ample space to outwit the Kiwi defender and take a solid try on the goal. Instead, there was a bit of a physical contest. Study the following photo sequence, which says it all.

When I look at the open space and the sequence of photographs, it reminds me of a sports car coming at full speed on a wide open freeway and hitting into a post and crashing. This isn’t hockey as it is supposed to be.

In my opinion, this is the defining moment; the world-class England player has made a right move in the wrong place. In other words, he is thinking like a right inner in the position of a left inner. This resulted in him not cleanly eliminating the Kiwi defender, but rather getting physical to pin him down. Observe the ample space “mini gold mine” he has on all sides of the Kiwi defender.

Greatness cannot be achieved by doing big things. If you really want to be great, do small thing in a great way. – Rishika Jain.

Remember: little things make big things happen.

Conclusion

It is vital to have both hard skills and soft skills in a player’s repertoire. There is a time and place to implement each, during the run of play, to play the game at its highest level. But yes, there are specific training methods to develop these soft skills, to play the role in a given position and be successful during the various tight pressurised game situations which crop up from time to time.

In this article, an attempt has been made to bring awareness – need analysis and identification of the knowledge gap – for our current coaches and players. Of course, there is more than one way to play the game and execute the game plan. I have tried to present my view from a different perspective.

We must remind ourselves to be aware of the time-tested tactics and patterns of play which have added and will add more grace and beauty to our game, as has been done in the beautiful game of football. The introduction or revival of soft skills will result in developing more imaginative, creative and deceptive players/teams. Exactly the way Spain and Germany have done in football, while imitating Brazil to a certain degree.

Now is the time for our current developmental coaches to make a sincere effort to introduce soft skills to the players, who are hopping through the various stages of their development. This will certainly go a long way in taking our game to the next level and attract more spectators.

Cause and effect: We are frequently changing rules, experimenting with 5-a-side and 9-a-side games. There’s nothing wrong with that; winners are innovators. The questions we need to ask ourselves are:

1. Have we done the diagnosis correctly?

2. Are we treating the symptoms or the causes?

Treat the causes and the symptoms will disappear. Spectators come to see art, grace and surprise in a game. And these are sadly missing, as the game is becoming more and more power-based, predictable and mechanical. More light will be thrown on these segments of the game in the coming articles.

Constructive conflict: It is never easy to speak against the hierarchy. I am writing this series of articles to confront some of the current trends, and more importantly, to suggest ways to improve upon them. This is “constructive conflict”; suggesting methods – strategic plans – to do things in a different way, which is probably a better way. And a way – or style – which can be defined as more artistic. Yes, we can agree to disagree with the processes, but still respect each other, because none of this is personal. It is all down to the love of the game and coaching, and the passion to see the game being played at its very best.

“There are these two young fish swimming along, and they happen to meet an older fish swimming the other way, who nods at them and says, ‘Morning, boys, how’s the water?’ And the two young fish swim on for a bit, and then eventually one of them looks over at the other and goes, ‘What the hell is water?’

I am not the wise old fish. The point of this fish story is merely that the most obvious, important realities are often the ones that are hardest to seek and talk about.”

- Author, David Foster Wallace

Acknowledgement

The action photographs in this article are courtesy FIH. Thanks!

If you have any questions, please contact Shiv; Email: [email protected]