Rajgir (Bihar), September 1 (PTI) - Renowned mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton, with a distinguished career spanning various sports, emphasizes that the core principles of his role remain consistent: understanding the needs of the game and its players. Upton, who was instrumental to India's victorious 2011 Cricket World Cup campaign under head coach Gary Kirsten, is currently engaged with the men's hockey team at the ongoing Asia Cup. He has also played a pivotal role in the Indian hockey team's bronze success at the Paris Olympics and their triumphs in the Asian Champions Trophy and the 2022 Asian Games.
According to Upton, "The fundamentals of teamwork are constant. Hockey requires multiple players to connect, while cricket involves team play with a more individualistic approach. However, the principles of staying focused and managing distractions—such as the scoreboard, fans, opponents, and personal errors—are universally applicable."
Though Upton's career has largely revolved around cricket, working with the South African team and various T20 franchises like Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, he has also ventured into other sports like rugby and, more recently, hockey.
Upton admits, "In hockey, I'm not very familiar with the game and being a non-native in India, I'm still a visitor here. My approach is to listen and understand the environment, the game, and each individual player. Only then can I provide meaningful assistance." When asked about his approach with the Indian hockey team, he explained, "We conduct both individual and team sessions, offering workshops and one-on-one interactions. Ultimately, it depends on the coach and captain's requirements."
Currently, the focus of the Indian hockey team, Upton noted, is to prepare for next year's World Cup, Asian Games, and eventually, the 2028 Olympics.
Reflecting on his previous experience with the team during the build-up to the Olympics, Upton said, "They had a very clear strategy approaching fitness, game strategy, and mental preparedness leading to the Olympics. Now, we're in the second phase, laying the groundwork for the World Cup and Asian Games, with an eye on the Olympics. With outstanding leadership from coach Craig Fulton and Harmanpreet, we're building a foundation without rushing."
Scope for Improvement
Upton holds the Indian hockey team's professionalism and work ethics in high regard but acknowledges room for growth. "The team is incredibly professional, and I'm amazed by their work ethic and dedication, often training intensely in challenging conditions. They are truly professional and committed hockey players," he praised. However, he added, "Certain habits need improvement, and we're all working towards that. We need both a short-term focus on immediate learnings and a long-term strategy to peak at the business end of tournaments."
India secured victories over China (4-3) and Japan (3-2) to enter the Super 4s stage in the Asia Cup, which serves as a qualifier for next year's World Cup. Upton believes the team's best performance is yet to be showcased. "We didn't deliver our best hockey in the first games, yet we've been winning, and that's indicative of a strong team. We're continuously building, learning, and improving to peak at the business end of the tournament, aiming for an 8 or 9 out of 10 in performance," he stated.
Before the Paris Games, Upton led a unique three-day training camp in the Swiss Alps at adventurer Mike Horn's base camp. On the camp's purpose, he elaborated, "I aimed to push players out of their comfort zones. The Olympics often present unparalleled pressure, hard to replicate in practice games. In the mountains, players faced genuine fears—of life, heights, the unknown, uncertainty—gaining a practical understanding of managing their minds under stress and pressure."
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