Coach Sjoerd Marijne's introductory session with the Indian men's hockey team this weekend focused on a primal task: Getting everyone to say his name right. "That was the first challenge," jokes Sjoerd, pronounced more like 'shuwrt'.
Much like he handles the light-hearted puns on his name, Sjoerd rarely flinches over uncomfortable questions on his suitability for the role posed by the modest scrum of journalists on Saturday. Having been in charge of the Indian women's team for the past six months and recently being picked to cross over and take control of the men's side, Sjoerd's first assignment, the Asia Cup, is little over two weeks away.
"The girls were disappointed to know that I wouldn't be coaching them anymore, which is kind of relieving because otherwise it would have meant I was no good," he says. "Also, over the past eight years I've actually coached more men's teams than women's teams so all the criticisms don't bother me."
Serving as a foreign coach in the Indian hockey set-up is a rather valiant undertaking given that five foreign coaches have been sacked in the past seven years. Most recently, his predecessor, compatriot and the man who brought him to India, Roelant Oltmans, was unceremoniously dumped over performance and losses to lower-ranked sides. "I know the story," Sjoerd says, smiling. "But right now I'm busy with the process and focusing on performance. Thinking about the results or worrying about being sacked would only distract me."
All the same he's keen to avoid his predecessors' mistakes. There is no wriggle room for underperformers, he says. "Standards will be set high and performance will be the yardstick for selection. At the same time we have to give juniors exposure so that they are better prepared for future tournaments."
Sjoerd, though, is not a big fan of the rotational policy currently followed by the team, where almost every player gets a few minutes on the pitch. "As a player I would have never liked to play two minutes on the pitch and go back, but it's about what the team wants, so I'll tell them go ahead but touch one ball when you're on the field. So I'll ask them questions that can help them arrive at the answers themselves."
The upcoming Asia Cup results hold no major bearing for India since they've already qualified for next year's World Cup, which the tournament acts as a qualifier to. However, it will help Sjoerd and the team weigh out their understanding and expectations from each other. Crucially, what is now being set in motion is a 'player-driven, coach-assisted system', rather novel in the Indian context.
"Over the past six years, styles have changed too much according to the nationality of the coach or their preference," high performance director David John says. "The players were never really asked. This group of boys have good maturity and a strong understanding of the game so we thought it would only be fair that it's two-way."
A uniform playing style through gender and across age groups is also being attempted. "It's important that we decide upon a style that will not only be practiced by both our senior teams but also percolate down to juniors, sub-juniors and the national academies," says John. "Once we agree upon the style we shouldn't hide it from the world. If you look at the best teams, they have predictable styles, but their execution is better than everyone else. It's our execution that often lets us down."
The widening of the coach-player feedback channel is also being welcomed by players. Senior member PR Sreejesh says it's the most effective method. "Until recently we had a very coach-centric system but now our opinions, views and feedback are being sought," Sreejesh tells ESPN. "I think players love that kind of approach and it is bound to have results. Earlier while doing certain drills I would wonder why I'm doing it and how it's going to help me, now there's an opportunity for us to raise those questions freely."
A battery of tournaments - Asia Cup, Hockey World league Final, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and World Cup ¬- await Sjoerd and he knows that his performance will be measured up against the barometer of big wins and podium finishes. Sixth-ranked India are the strongest side on paper in the October 11-22 Asia Cup in Dhaka and having spent the last six months in the country, Sjoerd has grown familiar to the culture and the weight of expectations. India had finished runners-up to Korea in the last edition in Ipoh in 2013.
"You have to be patient with a few things here," Sjoerd tells ESPN. "There's a culture of respect for seniors, for instance, which can sometimes be too big in sport. But that's the way it works here and I have to handle it. Also, in India people always want to see results. The maximum pressure I face is actually from myself."
Belief is what the team needs: Harendra
In the position left empty by 43-year-old Dutchman's switch to the men's side is now Harendra Singh, who famously led the junior men's team to the World Cup title last year and was tipped to take Oltmans' job. Hard feelings, if any, are veiled and the Indian plays down the surprise that surrounded his appointment to the unexpected role with a stiff smile.
Barring a few patches of good results, the women's team's performance this year has been far from spectacular. In July the side had conceded two goals in as many minutes in the final quarter, losing Hockey World League Semi-final 7th -8th place match to Ireland 1-2. "Belief is what the team needs, and I will start with that," says Harendra.
While speed was central to his predecessor Sjoerd's plans, Harendra feels the concept needs to be broken down further for better execution. "Often while we focus on speed we forget that it is tough to run fast if the ball is coming slow, so the transfer of the ball from sides and passing should be of the same speed," he says. "Once the speed of your pass is quick, the receiver automatically catches up."
Between now and the women's Asia Cup in Japan, Harendra has a good one month to infuse ideas and regroup the side. "We should realistically make the final of the tournament," John says, before turning to Harendra seated beside him, "Sorry it wasn't meant to put pressure on you." Somewhat drowned in the guffaws that followed was the Indian coach's quietly confident response: "I had the title in mind."