Former Indian hockey captain Sardar Singh, now coaching the U-18 national team, emphasized that modern hockey has evolved into a subject requiring constant learning and adaptation. Speaking in Chandigarh, where the U-18 squad is training for the AHF Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship, Sardar said coaching presents more challenges than playing due to the need to manage players and learn new techniques daily.
Modern Hockey: More Than Stamina
“These days, hockey is played at the next level, and it’s not just limited to stamina. It needs mental strength, physical fitness, tactical data-driven analysis and positionless play,” Sardar said. He noted that during his playing career, which included 314 international matches and ended after the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games, hockey relied more on physical strength and on-field tactics.
As a coach, Sardar said he must constantly update himself on opposition tactics and use data-driven technology. “When we used to play for India, hockey depended on physical strength and on-field tactics,” he added.
Cultural Shift in Hockey
Sardar highlighted a cultural change in the sport, with the European style no longer exclusive to certain teams. “The pace of the game has witnessed a massive change, and these youngsters are coping with all the pressure. At the age of 18 or younger, many would dream of playing for the country, but this group has really made things difficult for the upcoming generation by raising the standards of Indian hockey,” he said.
Under his guidance, the Indian U-18 team won the Asia Cup 2026 in Kakamigahara, Japan, last month. Sardar credited regular tours mandated by Hockey India—three to four per year—for the team’s success. “These lads are the future of India and will represent the senior India team in coming years. Before Japan, the team’s Australia tour was very good; we played out a couple of draws, but as I said, every day is a new learning experience,” he stated.
Intensive Performance Reviews
Sardar noted that modern coaching involves extensive review sessions. “The team has nearly two-hour-long performance review meetings after every match, where the kids are shown video footage on how they could have avoided a mistake,” said the Padma Shri-decorated former player. He added that the support staff puts in significant effort for the young players.
Sardar was offered the post of assistant coach with the senior hockey team but preferred coaching juniors. The U-18 squad is training at Panjab University campus grounds for 12 days before the international meet in Oman from July 20 to 25. This is the first time in 51 years that the campus ground is hosting an Indian hockey team camp.
