Feature Story
Three keys to the mental side of hockey
performance
By Kim McCullough, M.Sc,
YCS
Hockey
experts agree that 80% of hockey performance is mental and 20% is
physical. However, we often focus all of
our efforts towards building the physical side of the game, instead of taking
the time to develop the mental game. And
it is this lack of attention to the mental game that is preventing so many
teams and players from taking their performance to the next level.
Figuring out
how to improve the mental side of the game presents a huge challenge to
coaches, parents and players alike. To
ensure that you and your players are 100% prepared for every game and the team
can perform its best, you need to have mental performance strategies in place
at the start of the season.
The ability
to stay focused, confident and composed are three critical mental
skills that can completely transform the physical side of your game.
Focus
Hockey players must learn to focus only
on the things that are under their own control.
It is impossible to control the actions
of everyone else in the rink - you can’t control what the referee calls, what
the fans are yelling or what system the other team is playing. But you always have complete control over
your thoughts and your actions. Learning
how to focus on your own performance, while maintaining a positive attitude and
tireless work ethic, will positively influence your
whole game and help you take your game to the next level.
Confidence
In order for
players to be confident, they have to believe in their ability to perform on
the ice and contribute positively to the team.
Players and coaches need to work together to identify the player’s
strengths, define their role on the team and set realistic expectations for
performance. But, most importantly,
players must realize that they are largely responsible for their own
confidence. When we
constantly look to others to boost our confidence, we become reliant on them
instead on ourselves. By helping
players take control of their own confidence, we empower them to be their best
both on and off the ice.
Composure
It is great
to be focused and confident going into the game - but how do you react when
things go wrong? Hockey is a game of
mistakes and it is those teams and players who recover quickly that are going
to excel. Players have to develop the
ability to be able to recognize that they made the mistake, regroup quickly and
refocus on the task at hand. The ability
to regain your composure quickly is what separates the “great” players and
teams from the “good” ones.
Putting
strategies in place to develop these three mental skills will help your players
take their mental game to the next level and help your team have your best
season ever.
About the
author
Kim McCullough, M.Sc.,
YCS is a highly sought-after expert in the development of aspiring hockey
players and has played at the highest level of women’s hockey in the world for
the last decade. Her player development websites give coaches and parents of
aspiring young players access to programs, articles
and advice on how to help their players take their game to the next level. To
learn more about how to have your best season ever, get your
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