The fourth edition of the Coal India Hockey India League has generated ‘some kind of newness’ in the form of field goals having a ‘special flavour’ than the first three editions of the much-hyped league. A string of new rules put in place in a bid to make the game more exciting and more spectator-friendly saw a field goal scored any team being credited with 2 goals unlike the uniform one goal credited for field goals.
The organisers of the Coal India Hockey India League clearly deserve a ‘big pat on their back’ for coming up with this innovative rule change. We have seen enough international hockey matches to know how teams are ‘extra keen’ to create penalty corners by hook or crook as they tend to heavily rely on their potent drag-flickers.
One is not suggesting that dependence on short corners for goals is a wrong thing but only banking on that set-piece for goals is definitely not the right goal-scoring recipe.
“One needs to laud Hockey India (HI) for coming up with this rule of allowing 2 goals for every field goal scored. The rule has ensured that teams are looking to create goal-scoring opportunities rather just looking to create short corner opportunities,” says a former coach.
It is a success already
The positive side of this rule change is that all 27 games of the 4th Coal India Hockey India League have been a spectators’ delight. Not a single drawn game has been witnessed so far – an ample indication that all six franchises are least bothered about winning points through drawn games.
“If an exciting game happens it’s fine but we have not seen a single drawn game so far in the 2016 Coal India Hockey India League. It says something about the intent of all six franchises,” the former coach adds.
There is little doubt that the two-goal rule for every field goal scored has been received warmly by all and sundry. Ranchi Rays head coach and Indian junior men’s hockey coach Harendra Singh feels this two-goal rule for every field goal scored is a good augury.
“Just look all the 27 games so far, every match is exciting and no team seems to be depending on penalty corners as it only results in only one goal. Hockey India needed to be complimented for bringing out this rule change.”
One hopes that this two-goal rule for every field goal scored is here to stay as it can be a big factor in the Coal India Hockey India League becoming a bigger success story than ever before.
