Ireland goalkeeper David Harte says the return to club training has been "surreal" and admits that resuming hockey duties is mainly due to a professional obligation.
After a two-month lay-off due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the two-time FIH World Goalkeeper of the Year returned to the pitch as his Dutch club Kampong enjoyed their first training session on Tuesday.
The remainder of league season has been voided, though plans are in place for the forthcoming campaign with social distancing measures in situ for the first session in the new-look environment.
"It was a bit of a rude awakening," he told RTÉ 2fm's Game On programme. "You are only allowed 12 players and two coaches on the pitch at one time. It was a bit surreal.
"You have to cycle in one way to the club grounds and leave another way.
"The volunteers were scattered around the place in hi-vis jackets and the corona coordinators are making sure we keep the 1.5metre distance apart, not touching certain equipment and not loitering after training. You must head away immediately."
The session itself was far removed from the usual hustle and bustle of regular training, something of a frustration for all concerned.
"It’s just weird," added Harte.
"We did a lot of passing and unopposed shooting. We played a bit of a game where there was no tackling and couldn’t get into close quarters.
"People were getting too close at times out of habit. There was a frustration there, but hopefully after a few weeks we will get used to it.
The 32-year-old said that while he was keen to perform to the best of his ability in goals and close down space in training, he has a significant reason for wanting to keep his social distance with his wife eight months pregnant.
Harte says they had been living a "hermit-like" existence since the restrictions came into place, making a return to hockey a strange adjustment.
Right now I think we are just trying to fill our contractual needs
He said: "The ultimate fear would be to contract it [coronavirus] and arrive on the day of the birth and you are not allowed see the birth of your child. That would be something I would never allow myself to do or have that regret or fear.
"I'm trying to keep my distance as much as possible."
Asked to whether the players had a choice in returning, he said: "Technically we are still contracted players. We had to be back.
"I was looking forward to it, don’t get me wrong, but right now I think we are just trying to fill our contractual needs."
