To “Act” like a Pro is going to be your first step to becoming a Pro. My rule of thumb is that you can’t become something you don’t believe you already are. However if you are just a 14 yr old playing North Bay minor hockey, that might seem a little crazy. So that is why step one is to “Act” like a Pro.
Once you start to “Act” like a Pro, you start to feel like a Pro. This feeling leads you to start thinking and to keep “Acting” like a Pro. If you are thinking, feeling and acting like a Pro, then at some level you start to believe that you are Pro. It doesn’t matter where you are playing, if your goal is to be a great hockey player, I believe that believing it first is the only way to become one. Do you think Crosby waited till he became one of the best players in the world before he started acting like one?
So what do Pro’s do?
Practice like you play. As a hockey player many of us create bad habits in practice by not practicing at our best. Practice is where you become a better hockey player. What you put in is what you are going to get out. For example Pro’s always pass the puck very hard and almost never miss the tape. Being able to make hard tape to tape passes is such a crucial part of hockey, yet most players practice making soft, careless passes.
Shoot to score. Pro’s shoot every puck as hard as they can and are always trying to score. Why practice a half hearted shot into the goalies pads? I’ve noted that some Pro’s will only look for mesh and practice focusing past the goalie. Also some like to practice focusing on a very specific spot they are shooting for, even as small as just the size of the puck. So instead of just the general top right corner, they will focus on exactly where in the top right corner, ie: right under the par but a few inches from the post.
Hockey is a job. When you take hockey as a job, it becomes your purpose to become stronger and faster, improve your skills and anything else that is going to make you a better player. You put in the hours every day in pursuit of this purpose.
These are just few distinctions I have made about Pro’s that anyone is capable of following. There is many other things you can do just like the Pro’s. Remember the more you “Act” like a Pro the more likely you will become one.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Tip # 8 – Going the Extra Mile
How much TV and computer time do you do a day? How much time do you spend on improving yourself as a hockey player? You don’t have to go to the rink or the gym to improve yourself. There are many drills and exercises you can do in and around your own home.
For example, almost every good hockey player I know had a shooting setup either in or outside of their house. You can shoot in your basement against brick walls or washing machines like Sidney Crosby. On nice days you can shoot outside in the carport, against the fence, or anything else you can find.
As for fitness training, you don’t need a home gym to be able to stay at home and workout. Many exercises can be done in your backyard or local neighborhood park. Exercises like plyometrics, sprints, core training, pushups, and single leg squats can all be done without a gym.
So how much do you do at home and how much do you do elsewhere? Well that comes down to personal preference and desire. I find I get the best training when I have someone to compete against as well as having a coach giving us the instructions, watching our technique and pushing us to do our best.
With all that said, one of the best ways, especially for younger players to improve is to play other sports. You can only play so much hockey, so playing other sports is a great way to keep active outside of hockey. You can play in a league or just play pick up sports like soccer, basketball or tennis.
Hockey is only getting bigger and bigger, if we want to keep up or even better stay ahead, then we all need to keep the TV and computer time to a minimum and start going the extra mile.
For example, almost every good hockey player I know had a shooting setup either in or outside of their house. You can shoot in your basement against brick walls or washing machines like Sidney Crosby. On nice days you can shoot outside in the carport, against the fence, or anything else you can find.
As for fitness training, you don’t need a home gym to be able to stay at home and workout. Many exercises can be done in your backyard or local neighborhood park. Exercises like plyometrics, sprints, core training, pushups, and single leg squats can all be done without a gym.
So how much do you do at home and how much do you do elsewhere? Well that comes down to personal preference and desire. I find I get the best training when I have someone to compete against as well as having a coach giving us the instructions, watching our technique and pushing us to do our best.
With all that said, one of the best ways, especially for younger players to improve is to play other sports. You can only play so much hockey, so playing other sports is a great way to keep active outside of hockey. You can play in a league or just play pick up sports like soccer, basketball or tennis.
Hockey is only getting bigger and bigger, if we want to keep up or even better stay ahead, then we all need to keep the TV and computer time to a minimum and start going the extra mile.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Tip # 7 – Energy is Everything
In today’s competitive hockey world, players are constantly looking for every advantage out there. This tip explains why having energy in both the forms of working hard and enthusiasm is fundamental to successful athletes.
As an athlete striving for success, it is essential to have the energy and the willingness to work hard. If you are a player that only does what’s easy, then you will find that hockey will be rather hard. However if you are a player that is willing to do what is hard, then you will find hockey to be rather easy. A player with the energy and willingness to work hard will put in the extra hours and effort in their off-ice training, on-ice practices and off-ice skill training, to name a few.
Enthusiasm is another form of energy that is an essential quality of successful athletes. Enthusiasm provides an excellent base support to having a resilient focus during a game. A player with a resilient focus comes to the rink in high spirits and lifts up their teammates whose spirits are not so high. When things go sour their attitude stays productive and upbeat, which helps them turn things around. For example when you or a teammate gets a penalty for what you think is the worst call in the history of hockey, a player with a strong source of energy and enthusiasm will stay focused on playing the game, not arguing and complaining about the referee. In my opinion a player who stays focused is so much more valuable to his team then the player complaining about the call.
I’ve personally learned the importance of energy in the forms of hard work and enthusiasm throughout my career. I figured out the work hard portion when I was fairly young, but the importance of enthusiasm didn’t sink in until I had numerous experiences of showing up with a poor attitude and consequently having a poor game. Even with my father’s many attempts to warn me, it took me many years to really understand that coming to the rink and staying enthusiastic, even when things didn’t go my way, produced significant benefits in the forms of self fulfillment and success.
Having energy, working hard and being enthusiastic can be done by any player. They are merely choices and I hope we all choose wisely.
As an athlete striving for success, it is essential to have the energy and the willingness to work hard. If you are a player that only does what’s easy, then you will find that hockey will be rather hard. However if you are a player that is willing to do what is hard, then you will find hockey to be rather easy. A player with the energy and willingness to work hard will put in the extra hours and effort in their off-ice training, on-ice practices and off-ice skill training, to name a few.
Enthusiasm is another form of energy that is an essential quality of successful athletes. Enthusiasm provides an excellent base support to having a resilient focus during a game. A player with a resilient focus comes to the rink in high spirits and lifts up their teammates whose spirits are not so high. When things go sour their attitude stays productive and upbeat, which helps them turn things around. For example when you or a teammate gets a penalty for what you think is the worst call in the history of hockey, a player with a strong source of energy and enthusiasm will stay focused on playing the game, not arguing and complaining about the referee. In my opinion a player who stays focused is so much more valuable to his team then the player complaining about the call.
I’ve personally learned the importance of energy in the forms of hard work and enthusiasm throughout my career. I figured out the work hard portion when I was fairly young, but the importance of enthusiasm didn’t sink in until I had numerous experiences of showing up with a poor attitude and consequently having a poor game. Even with my father’s many attempts to warn me, it took me many years to really understand that coming to the rink and staying enthusiastic, even when things didn’t go my way, produced significant benefits in the forms of self fulfillment and success.
Having energy, working hard and being enthusiastic can be done by any player. They are merely choices and I hope we all choose wisely.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Tip # 6 – The Art of Leadership
Leadership is one of the fundamental habits of a successful athlete. Being a leader isn’t limited to the coaches and captains, it is something every player can do. However some players may have never learned how and/or don’t know what separates a good leader from a poor leader.
To start, a leader’s true concern is for what is right, not who is right. They have the goal to build a team filled with camaraderie (comrades-in-arms) and respect. A good leader understands that when it is time to encourage their teammates they do it without putting them down. I have experienced teammates and coaches on both ends of this spectrum. When someone encouraged me with respect, I felt these were good people and I wanted to listen to them. Conversely when I was scolded and put down, I would turn off to those people and became no longer interested in what they had to say.
I think every player can be a great a leader in their own way. Here are two easy ways for those who are unsure how they can be a great leader:
1. Lead by Example
This means to apply the habits of successful hockey players to set an example for your teammates to learn from and apply themselves.
2. Lead by Encouragement
This means to encourage your teammates to play their best. You don’t have to speak to the whole team at once. It could be as simple as talking to your line mates or defense partner after a shift or between periods. Remember if the time is right to be encouraging, stay respectful and your goal is to build team camaraderie.
To start, a leader’s true concern is for what is right, not who is right. They have the goal to build a team filled with camaraderie (comrades-in-arms) and respect. A good leader understands that when it is time to encourage their teammates they do it without putting them down. I have experienced teammates and coaches on both ends of this spectrum. When someone encouraged me with respect, I felt these were good people and I wanted to listen to them. Conversely when I was scolded and put down, I would turn off to those people and became no longer interested in what they had to say.
I think every player can be a great a leader in their own way. Here are two easy ways for those who are unsure how they can be a great leader:
1. Lead by Example
This means to apply the habits of successful hockey players to set an example for your teammates to learn from and apply themselves.
2. Lead by Encouragement
This means to encourage your teammates to play their best. You don’t have to speak to the whole team at once. It could be as simple as talking to your line mates or defense partner after a shift or between periods. Remember if the time is right to be encouraging, stay respectful and your goal is to build team camaraderie.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Tip # 5 - Feedback is the Breakfast of Champions
Want to get to the next level? Want to be a better hockey player? You are going to need to improve and continue to improve. Being hungry for coaching is one of the best tips I can give all you aspiring young hockey players.
The best players are always looking for feedback, always asking how they can improve. Wanting feedback is more than just having a coach. It is asking your coach how you can do things better and finding out what you need to work on.
If you look at many NHLers including Sidney Crosby, they all will have multiple coaches. They have their off-ice trainers, nutritionist, on-ice coaches, and sport psychologists, to name a few. If you were planning on learning and doing it all by yourself, then you are putting yourself at a huge disadvantage to those who have coaches guiding them.
Also, the quality of coaching you receive obviously is going to determine the kind of improvements you make. If you want to be the best then only the best coaching is going to get you there.
Lastly, when I say coach, that doesn’t mean it has to be your current hockey coach. There are plenty of different types of coaches for hockey and some of the best for you could very well be your teammates. I had my own personal experience last august when I was skating with some local hockey players preparing for my coming season. One of the players was my good friend Matt Marquardt, who played for the Providence Bruins of the AHL this season. Marquardt has the best shot out of anyone I’ve ever played with and after a few skates with him, I really noticed the difference between his shot and mine. At first I tried just mimicking his shot but that wasn’t very effective. Finally I had to ask “what exactly are you doing that lets you shoot the puck so well?” He was more than willing to give me a few pointers on my hand placement and specific sequences he uses when he is practicing and within 5 minutes my shot drastically improved. This year I had one of the better shots on my team and all it took was that hunger to improve and be coached.
The best players are always looking for feedback, always asking how they can improve. Wanting feedback is more than just having a coach. It is asking your coach how you can do things better and finding out what you need to work on.
If you look at many NHLers including Sidney Crosby, they all will have multiple coaches. They have their off-ice trainers, nutritionist, on-ice coaches, and sport psychologists, to name a few. If you were planning on learning and doing it all by yourself, then you are putting yourself at a huge disadvantage to those who have coaches guiding them.
Also, the quality of coaching you receive obviously is going to determine the kind of improvements you make. If you want to be the best then only the best coaching is going to get you there.
Lastly, when I say coach, that doesn’t mean it has to be your current hockey coach. There are plenty of different types of coaches for hockey and some of the best for you could very well be your teammates. I had my own personal experience last august when I was skating with some local hockey players preparing for my coming season. One of the players was my good friend Matt Marquardt, who played for the Providence Bruins of the AHL this season. Marquardt has the best shot out of anyone I’ve ever played with and after a few skates with him, I really noticed the difference between his shot and mine. At first I tried just mimicking his shot but that wasn’t very effective. Finally I had to ask “what exactly are you doing that lets you shoot the puck so well?” He was more than willing to give me a few pointers on my hand placement and specific sequences he uses when he is practicing and within 5 minutes my shot drastically improved. This year I had one of the better shots on my team and all it took was that hunger to improve and be coached.
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