Talking about his week’s experience of training with Brasa, Mahadik, who was a star in the Maratha Warriors line-up in the past two editions of the Premier Hockey League, feels that the Indian coach has done his homework. “He has found out some basic mistakes in the style with which the Indian team plays like position of the ball at the wrong place. Too much dribbling, late decision making, running with the ball with the head down and not up, and passing the ball without looking up,” informed Mahadik. “So he is trying to sort out these problems and he’s also putting a lot more emphasis on the fitness front,” observed Mahadik.

Mahadik says Brasa had asked him about his Germany experiences. “He asked me what position I play in for the German team and what I’m asked to do when in front or what I’m supposed to do while in defense etc.,” informed Mahadik. Mahadik also recalled one incident that helped him win Brasa over. “It happened in the first week’s training before I left for Germany. During one team meeting I requested Brasa sir to explain to us on the blackboard what exactly he wanted us to do when we go out in field for training. Till then, he would only tell us how to go about it once we reached the field. I told him that if he explained that in advance, most members of our team can follow the instructions well. I believe that clicked and Brasa appreciated me for pointing that out,” says Mahadik. “Now when I have returned, I saw that request was heeded to.”

... contd.