The age old question in field hockey, who is the World’s Best Drag Flicker ?
It may seem simple to the normal eye but the strategy involved in a setpiece is akin to neuroscience. It takes a whole 2s for the ball to travel 16yards out and back into the goal involving 3 players; pusher, stopper and the flicker himself.
In the past 15 years, I have seen the best at their peaks. The list includes Lombi, Abbas, Aiyappa and finally Taekema. How do we judge the best amongst them ? Which of the many criteria should we assess ?
Speed ? Technique ? Style ? Variation ? Conversion rate ?
The most effective scale to measure the best would be conversion rate ? Then again, defensive players were not really prepared or skilled into countering drags 10years ago despite trying multiple techniques or strats to counter the likes of Sohail Abbas. He had a 80% conversion rate whenever he steps up back then. I remember seeing Chua Boon Huat taking 1 in the knee just to ensure Abbas doesn’t score.
Countering drags these days have evolved and each team have incorporated some sort of mechanism to cover each angle or possible shot from the flicker. Some defenders are trained to sprint 16yards in less than 1s to block the scoring angle or limiting it. Even goalkeepers are trained to rush out in 1s fully padded to block the flicks.
It has to be noted that Sohail is indeed the fastest in the business. Nothing short of top-nets. Sohail’s skills were well honed back in his BSN days, scoring 40goals per season. K.Dharmaraj relied on Len Aiyappa as he was E&Y’s answer to the Pakistani gamebreaker. Malaysia had our very own S.Kuhan spearheading setpieces for Sapura under Coach Sambu.
Then enter the beast, Taekema. He may not have the best conversion rate but in 9 years, he has changed the game for European hockey. It was indeed the Dutch who ‘manipulated’ the short corner rules back in the mid 90’s. Whereby the ball needs to be stopped outside the D, pushed into it prior to taking a shot at goal. The pioneers introduced the dragging motion of the ball into the D with an immediate strike to the goal. This of course stirred an uproar, the conventional stop-push and smack into goal was losing it’s place in the metagame.
Coming back to Taekema, he has the best manipulation to the stroke. Able to assess the defensive line in that split second before deciding which corner of the net he wants to pocket the goal. The other guys just went for simple finishes, results speak more than technique sort of thing. Do not misquote me, the technique utilized by anyone is indeed great and only a handful can perfect it.
Taekema had just this massive aura radiating from him whenever he steps up at the D. Taekema takes the cake when it comes to being the World’s Best in the business. Lomans, Lombi, Sohail are all excellent but in keeping with the current times, it’s definitely harder to be the best now compared to 15yrs ago. With that justification, Taekema should be regarded as such.
I once had the pleasure of using/trying/testing the hockey stick Len Aiyappa uses during his E&Y days back in 2002. A small hockey gathering between my squad and some national players to give us tips and how to play on a higher level. Len’s stick was so bent or curved, we could eat rice or noodles with it. Having a stick specialized for flicking comes with a price, ball control and dribbling goes out the window.
After viewing the TT10, I couldn’t help myself from adding that item into my wishlist. Yes, I do not have a wish list at the moment but I’m planning to build one up to mark my goals and successes. The TT10 merits a place without doubt.
I was trying to search a video worthy of Taekema’s prowess but nothing seemed good enough for the man.
Instead of getting the TT10, I should get Adidas to custom make one for myself. Aptly called the Adidas VK10 limited edition. Get my autograph on it before framing it up.
Kyesuke.ru