Indian Hockey Team Embraces Adventure in Swiss Alps Bootcamp
Indian Hockey Team’s Unconventional Bootcamp in the Swiss Alps: Building Resilience and Teamwork
In preparation for the Paris Olympics, the Indian men’s hockey team embarked on an extraordinary two-day bootcamp in the Swiss Alps with renowned adventurer Mike Horn. This unconventional detour aimed to enhance the players’ mental resilience, teamwork, and strategic thinking.
Horn, who has previously worked with the Indian cricket team and IPL franchises, led the players through a series of challenging activities, including glacier walking, mountain climbing, via ferrata, and waterfall rappelling. These experiences pushed the players out of their comfort zones and tested their limits.
According to Horn, these activities foster mental resilience, enabling athletes to stay focused under pressure. They also strengthen team bonds and trust, as players face challenges together. Additionally, they enhance strategic thinking and adaptability, crucial skills in high-stakes competitions like the Olympics.
Horn shared personal anecdotes from his expeditions, exposing the players to the pressures of life and death. These stories resonated with the team, providing them with a fresh perspective on handling pressure in their own sport.
The bootcamp began at Glacier 3000, where the players walked with harnesses. Initially, some players expressed apprehension, but their concerns dissipated after spending the night in a hostel and cycling to Rougemont.
Horn gradually increased the intensity of the activities, culminating in a night spent on hay without sleeping bags or mattresses. This experience tested the players’ adaptability and resilience.
By the end of the camp, the players had embraced the challenges and developed a newfound sense of camaraderie and achievement. They left with a fresh perspective on handling pressure, a crucial skill for the upcoming Olympics.
