New hockey coach Mike Nobbs' job not an easy one

Mike Nobbs has hit a jackpot that no other hockey coach in India has managed in the past. With a hefty pay package, a long-term contract that will keep away any hint of insecurity and training facilities that improved considerably in most parts of the country, Nobbs has got most of the things a coach could ask for.

What will be intriguing to see now is how he manages to dribble past the bureaucracy and the uncertain administration, to meet the expectations set upon him. His tasks — short and long term — are cut out. The first will be to avoid the repeat of the 2008 embarrassment and ensure India qualify for the 2012 Olympics.

The qualifiers are  to be held in February in New Delhi, and experts feel the time period may not be enough to rebuild a team that is low on morale. “To guide India to Olympic qualification will be his biggest challenge. How India performs in the qualifiers will also, in a way, determine how his rest of the tenure will pan out,” said Olympian Balbir Singh, who was the manager of the Indian team at the Azlan Shah Cup in May.

It was Balbir’s scathing report upon return from Malaysia that prompted Hockey India to appoint a foreign coach. “It surely is a step in the right direction. But this is not even the beginning. We need to work on a lot of areas.”

From improving fitness of the seniors to developing the junior side, Nobbs and his support staff have several issues to deal with. The Australian, who will be assisted by his physiologist David John, is expected to study the capabilities of each player in the Bangalore camp before chalking out a plan. The team was described by Balbir as a ‘35-minute side.’

Junior development, though, will remain a big challenge. HI have a zero plan for developing the juniors, a fact asserted by their decision of not sending a team for the junior Asia Cup in Singapore this month.

HI’s director of coaching, SS Grewal, who will oversee the camp in the absence of Nobbs, said developing the juniors is the most important part of their long-term strategy. Clarence Lobo, a key member of Nobbs’s support staff, feels the Australian should speak to the former coaches once to get an idea of how things function in India. “It is necessary for him to understand the players’ psyche and how the administration works here. I think speaking to the coaches who have been here will help him get a fair idea,” said Lobo, who was also a member of the support staff during Brasa’s time in India.

5 things Nobbs needs to do
In a complex set-up such as India, Nobbs is bound to find the going tough. DNA lists out the five challenges the Australian is likely to face during his five-year tenure

Qualify for the Olympics
Nobbs has to rebuild a team that is low on morale. Ranked in the top 10, not qualifying for the Olympics is not an option. India are known to falter on big stages and Nobbs wouldn’t like to fail in his first big assignment, which would have a lasting impact on his future.

Improve fitness
Team manager Balbir Singh said in his recent report that India are a ‘35-minute side.’ Under Brasa, the fitness had improved considerably but ever since his departure, injuries and poor fitness has hampered the team. Another worry would be India’s tendency to concede goals late in the match. The players need to be made mentally tough.

Adapt to new style
One of the positives out of his appointment is the fact that the playing styles of India and Australia are similar. Australia tend to prefer the 2-3-5 formation, and many domestic teams in India adopt that similar style. That will help players connect easily to the new coach’s style. The challenge would be to unlearn Brasa’s tactics and learn all over again.

Coaching eco-system
A point development committee head Pargat Singh has highlighted so often. One common coaching style will be highly beneficial for India. There is a big gap between top four-five states and others and a common coaching method will help narrow the gap and produce more players.

Junior team programmes
HI has done nothing so far in developing the junior team. Nobbs will have to play an important role in developing the youngsters and give them proper guidance. With India slated to host the junior World Cup in 2013, this should be of high importance.