![\"Ice](\"https:\/\/blog.hockeyshare.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/11\/sprint.jpg\" "\\"Rink")
If the average midget hockey player can execute this, they have the physical skills necessary to perform the strides down the ice….but this is just the beginning.\u00a0 In those 5-6 seconds, many decisions need to be made.\u00a0 What path do I need to skate? Where is the puck? Am I going to stay on sides? Should I drive the net? Where is the defender? Should I call for a pass?\u00a0 One or two hands on the stick?\u00a0 How can we expect youth hockey players to effectively make the best decisions (so they become second nature) without spending time developing these players mentally?<\/p>\n
One of the toughest things to watch is a player who is afraid to make a mistake.\u00a0 This player has been mentally conditioned to associate pain with a mistake on the ice.\u00a0 This can come from several sources, but most often comes from a coach or parent.\u00a0 If a coach berates a player for making a mistake, what are the odds the player will try something next time outside of his\/her \u201csafe\u201d play zone?\u00a0 While some coaches may say that\u2019s exactly what they want, others (myself included) would argue great hockey players aren\u2019t made by making only safe plays.\u00a0 Players need to be given some freedoms to try something new and make mistakes – it\u2019s how we learn…not just a hockey players, but as human beings.\u00a0 As coaches we must keep that balance in mind between making a simple\/safe play and allowing players to make mistakes – without discouraging creativity<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n Hockey also requires a unique mental toughness.\u00a0 In order to set oneself up for success, one must got to be able to mentally prepare to perform at your peak level.\u00a0 One of the most important aspects of mental preparation coaches can develop is goal setting.\u00a0 The game of hockey is only effective as a competitive sport because everyone playing it has a common goal….to put the puck in the opposing team\u2019s net!\u00a0 How can you expect yourself or your players to perform an entire season without clear-cut goals in front of them?\u00a0 These need to be something more than just: \u201cWin the League\u201d or \u201cWin the National Tournament\u201d.\u00a0 These goals are obvious – every team \/ player wants to finish at the top – but vague goals usually lead to sub-par performances.\u00a0 Goals must be clearly identified and broken down into smaller measurable chunks.\u00a0 For example:\u00a0 1 month goal – get 10 of 14 points in league play<\/em>.\u00a0 This is an easily measurable goal (make sure it\u2019s realistic for your own team).\u00a0 Once you\u2019ve established your goals, there needs to be some sort of action plan so you and your team know exactly how they can put themselves in the best position to achieve the goal.<\/span><\/p>\n Finally, the mental state a player enters the rink with is one of the most critical parts of the mental game.\u00a0 If a player is in a poor mental state (distracted, unfocused, nervous, sad, etc.), the chances of them performing at a high physical level are greatly reduced.\u00a0 If the player isn\u2019t enjoying him\/herself when they get to the rink, you\u2019re not likely to have that player live up to your expectations.\u00a0 Even at the highest levels of the game, coaches work fun into their routines.\u00a0 Basic human nature craves variety – coaches cannot make going to the rink drudgery for players.\u00a0 The players simply won\u2019t perform.\u00a0 There are several ways to incorporate fun into your practice routine.\u00a0 The first is through the use of small area games.\u00a0 These games not only develop players quicker than most skill drills, but are also a lot of fun for players because they get to compete. \u00a0 Another option is the use of unstructured ice time.\u00a0 Even though ice time is very usually very expensive, kids need to be kids.\u00a0 Give them opportunities to play around in an unstructured environment.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re interested in finding more ways to train your players mentally, there are a couple great books I found helpful.\u00a0 The first is Hockey Tough<\/span><\/a> as the name indicates, it\u2019s geared directly toward hockey.\u00a0 It covers lots of great topics: Managing the Mental Game, Imaging, Controlling Emotions, Playing a Winning Team Game, and more.<\/p>\n