Chief Minister Cup (hockey) which will start from 12th June will have a new rule that is the teams won’t be using the powerful drag-flicks during Penalty Corners and they will have to use a set-piece that is said to be more pleasant for the audience watching the game.
Penalty Corner no more
All the teams will not employ drag-flicks and they will have to use their passing and dribbling skills to score the goal. The teams will have to use indirect approach to score a goal. This move is just like normal field play. There will be 4 attackers and 3 defenders plus a goalkeeper during this move.
One of the attackers pushes the ball from the back-line to his teammates stationed on the dotted line just beyond the 15-metre circle. The ball has to cross the dotted line before the attackers make their way towards the goal. It is normal field play from the time the ball is pushed.
This move was introduced by Australian Ric Charlesworth and it is currently used in local tournaments in Australia. Now Chief Minister Cup will also witness this move which is said to make the game more exciting.
Though this move is popular in Australia, it is not sure that FIH will accept the changes. But this move may benefit the Asian players especially India because Indian team relies more on individual skills and 4 on 3 situation will be favorable for the team.
Also India’s penalty corner conversion is less (even Sandeep in struggling) as compared to other teams and we rely more on our field expertise.
