Charlesworth keeps Academy players to their toes

CHANDIGARH, APRIL 10:Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) technical adviser Australian legendary hockey coach Dr Ric Charlesworth today imparted training for two and half hours to the state-run Chandigarh Hockey Association trainees at the Sector 42 Hockey Stadium here.The moment he entered the field, he kept on egging to the trainees to shed their lethargic attitude on the field."Go, Go, Go," kept on advising Charlesworth to the trainees who were divided into two groups for training.Ric Charlesworth  who skippered the Australian men’s team to World Cup triumph in 1986, set an example to the two CH Academy coaches who were assisting him, by remaining on his toes, running from one group to the other to impart training. One coach was translating Charlesworth’s instructions in Punjabi.
Watched by Chandigarh Additional Deputy Commissioner-cum-Sports Director Inderjit Singh Sandhu and Joint Director Sports Dr JP Sidhu, four-time Olympian Chalresworth made the players to play four vs four, five vs three. One-or-two-touch game. Positional play. Cover up the gap while attacking or defending. And of course, strike at the goal at the first available opportunity.
Former Member of Parliament Charlesworth, who trained the Australian women’s squad to gold medals at the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games, and the World Cup in 1994 and 1998, stressed on development of speed, not to be sluggish and slopply on the field. The trainees are slow and sluggish at the moment. They have to leave this bad habit.
He told the trainees that trapping requires tremendous improvement. "It any player correctly traps the ball five times out of ten, he is only 50 per cent fit. For an international player, he has to be 90 per cent fit," remarked Charlesworth.
The Australian coachadvised that a player must look ahead before giving pass to his colleague which should be stopped and the receiver should take minimum time to release the ball to another colleague.
The players must develop ‘thinking habit’. They should ask themselves questions and this thinking process must continue. The coach should point out the player his mistake once only and it was up to the player to achieve perfection.
He had a piece of advice to the coaches also. The trainers themselves must have to be active to inspire the players. Charlesworth demonstrated this today and on Thursday last. The Australian legend was active on the field for two and half hours today.
Asked on arrangement with Dr Charlesworth, Sports Director Sandhu said "we have signed an agreement with the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) which is opening a centre of excellence in hockey in Chandigarh. The Chandigarh Administration will develop more facilities for hockey, including laying of an another astroturf  in Sector 42 for centre of excellence. In return, the IHF has allowed Chandigarh to use the services of Dr Charlesworth whenever he is available in Chandigarh."
The Chandigarh Administration is planning to lay another astroturf in Sector 42 for which 5.8 acre of land would be required.
Sandhu was happy that Charlesworth had already devoted five hours in two days to train the boys. The Australian coach has noticed ‘some improvement’ on the second day. "Even if Charlesworth gives 100 hours in a year, the CH Academy will show tremendous improvement which will, however, be gradual," said Sandhu. "Our efforts are to provide all best possible facilities to hockey and football trainees. The third batch of Chandigarh Football Academy will go to Germany for advance scientific training in May," concluded the Sports Director.