Going into the men’s hockey World Cup at home, Harmanpreet Singh is the most crucial player for India.
The data supports it. Since making his senior debut in 2015, Harmanpreet has scored 126 goals in 164 games, a remarkable conversion rate that has been credited as one of the primary factors in India’s turnaround in the sport after 2016.
Harmanpreet’s achievements thus far
Harmanpreet has been India’s top goal scorer in every competition they have competed in, from the Tokyo Olympics, where the team won the bronze medal, to the most recent Australian series.
He is one of the greatest at converting penalty corners in the entire globe, which is the key explanation. Dragflicks, a highly specialized skill that only a select few can perfect, has almost always helped him achieve his aims.
A way to score a lot of goals in hockey is through penalty corners. When the opposing team intentionally fouls inside the circle or in the 23-meter area, a penalty kick is awarded. However, it is difficult to convert them consistently.
The three main components of a dragflick are speed, strength, and precision. The dragflicker uses his strength to unleash a powerful shot that requires direction and accuracy to beat the rushers and goalkeeper.
The pusher injects the ball at the right speed to the top of the circle, the trapper times his trap at the right moment, and finally, the drag-flicker uses his strength to unleash the ball at the right time.
Harmanpreet has studied with Bram Lomans to hone his technique. Bram Lomans is a Dutch drag-flick icon who has won two Olympic gold medals and a World Cup. He participated in a week-long penalty corner clinic with the Indian squad just last month. Keeping things straightforward and concentrating only on the execution is something Lomans also believes in.
Just a few little adjustments are all that he advocates making to the method. When Harmanpreet practiced his “jerk” or “snap,” which, in Lomans’ words, is only a quick twist of the wrist to alter the ball’s path at the last second, he began to see improvements.
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