Hockey India League: Five-foreigners rule has put coaches through constant brainstorming

Hockey India League coaches strategize with five-foreigner rule, rotating goalkeepers based on match situations for competitive advantage.

The stipulation on fielding a maximum of five foreigners in the playing XI of a team during a Hockey India League (HIL) match has put different coaches through constant brainstorming.

As situations can change rapidly in a fast-paced match, the support staff are required to think like computers and offer best possible strategies. The five-foreigners rule has made their job even more challenging.

“Changing the goalkeeper gives us a little more possibility to change the field players. It’s super fair, but it’s pretty complex. You always have to think, ‘Is this the right person?’ Because you cannot simply just substitute one-on-one. We have got some plans and strategies. It’s difficult, but my assistant coach Emily does an amazing job,” said Hyderabad Toofans coach Pasha Gademan.

Toofans switched between its keepers Vikas Dahiya and New Zealander Dominic Dixon while beating Vedanta Kalinga Lancers in an end-to-end contest at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela on Sunday (January 12, 2025).

Lancers might have lost a few matches, but they enjoyed the advantage of having two world class keepers, Indian Krishan Pathak and Briton Toby Reynolds-Cotterill.

“We planned during the auction and were determined to get Pathak, who is the number one goalkeeper in India at present, so that five foreigners can play in the middle and the forward-line. It is reaping us some benefits,” said former India goalkeeper and Lancers’ manager A.B. Subbaiah.

“We also face problems if Pathak does not play well.”