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Unlock Your Hockey Potential with These Unusual Mental Training Exercises
Following on from the last newsletter with more usual mental training exercises, here are some that are little different for you to try:
Are you ready to take your game to the next level? You’ve already been working hard on your physical skills, but now it’s time to focus on the mental aspect of the game. Mental toughness can be the difference between good and great, and today I’ve got three unusual mental training exercises that will give you an edge on the ice.
1. Mindful Skating
Objective: Enhance awareness and presence on the ice.
Exercise: Mindful Skating Practice
What to Do:
During your skating practice, focus intently on every sensation and movement. Pay attention to the feeling of the ice beneath your skates, the sound of your blades cutting through the ice, and the rhythm of your breathing.
Why It Works: This exercise will help you stay present during games, reducing anxiety and improving your reaction time. Being fully aware of your body and surroundings enhances your overall performance.
Activity:
Set aside 10 minutes of your skating practice for mindful skating. Begin by skating at a moderate pace, focusing on your breath and the sensations in your legs and feet. Gradually increase your speed while maintaining this heightened awareness.
2. Emotional Regulation through Music
Objective: Control your emotions and use them to your advantage. I do this, my world champions do this, my NHL Stanley Cup champs do this...and...we all update our playlist form time to time too.
Exercise: Music Therapy
What to Do: Create different playlists for different emotional states. Have a playlist to pump you up before a game, another to calm you down after an intense practice, and another to help you focus.
Why It Works: Music has a powerful effect on our emotions. By using it strategically, you can regulate your mood, maintain focus, and stay motivated.
Activity:
Spend time creating your playlists. Use upbeat, high-energy songs to get psyched up before a game, calming tunes for winding down, and instrumental or lyric-less tracks to help you concentrate. Listen to these playlists during your pre-game routine or while traveling to games.
3. The Power of Improv
Objective: Enhance creativity and adaptability on the ice.
Exercise: Improv Acting Sessions. This one is harder for me as I'm a mix of being introverted and extroverted ... Im an ambivert. I joined a group called Toastmasters and am developing my own skills to be more creative and adaptive 'on the hop'
What to Do: Join an improv acting class or create a small group with your teammates to practice improvisation exercises. Engage in activities that require quick thinking and spontaneous decision-making.
Why It Works: Improv training helps improve your ability to think on your feet and adapt to rapidly changing situations, which is crucial during fast-paced hockey games.
Activity:
Organize weekly improv sessions with friends or teammates. Use prompts related to hockey scenarios to make it fun and relevant. For example, act out a situation where you need to make a split-second decision on the ice, like deciding whether to pass or shoot.
By incorporating these unusual mental training exercises into your routine, you’ll develop a sharper mind and a more resilient attitude. Remember, the mental game is just as important as the physical one, and mastering both will set you on the path to hockey greatness.
So, lace up those skates, put on your favorite playlist, and get ready to elevate your game like never before. Let's turn those hockey dreams into reality!
Until next time, Skate like the wind!
Izzy
Boost Your Hockey Confidence!
Credit: Tricia Mercuri
 
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