How to Be Mentally and Physically Prepared For Competition.
How well do you prepare for the tough teams you compete against?
Do you prepare in the same manner for every game you play, no matter the team you play?
Being prepared means being ready mentally and physically for every game. Preparing for a team with a losing record should be the same process as preparing for the top team in the league.
Too often, hockey teams will have some of their best games against tough teams but are caught off guard against teams with losing records.
A lack of preparation leads to inconsistent play. A couple hockey players and coaches have reached out to us on the topic of inconsistent play. One player commented:
“I play my best hockey when the pressure is on but in less important games, I play my worst. I’m not sure how to be more consistent in my play.”
Most likely, against strong opponents, you put in your best effort in practice. You are focused and pay attention to the littlest details of your game.
From the moment you step foot into the locker room for the game, you feel focused, prepared, and confident. When you warm up on the ice, you warm up with purpose. When the game starts, you are fully ready to go.
Just the opposite happens before less important games. You still put in effort during practice but with less intensity. You arrive at the rink for the game with the expectation that you already won. You go through the motions in warm-up.
In other words, you are not as prepared as when you play top teams. Your preparation accounts for your difference in performance.
Consistent Preparation Leads to Consistent Performance
Consistent preparation includes the same intensity and focus in every practice despite what team you are playing, whether or not it’s a playoff game or if the game is early in the season.
Consistent preparation gives you a high level of confidence heading into games because you know you did everything in your power to be ready to compete.
From the beginning of pre-season, St. Louis head coach Craig Berube has simulated close game and overtime situations in practice to prepare the players for similar circumstances in regular season games.
The consistent level of preparation has helped the Blues be ready for late game situations, especially since the majority of the team’s first 18 games have been decided by one goal.
Berube noted the importance of being prepared for every game.
BERUBE: “There’s a lot of tight hockey games all the time. Every night. They’re tight. Every game’s tight. Every team’s good. You gotta compete hard every night. It’s gonna be a battle. That’s gotta be your mindset.”
St. Louis defenseman Torey Krug echoed Berube’s thought process and the need for consistent preparation.
KRUG: “There’s no easy games, no nights off. And we understand that every time you go out and lace up the skates, it’s a tough battle for two points. So we recognize that, and every team’s going through it.”
If you want to play your best hockey against teams of varying ability, you need to be committed to the necessary mental and physical preparation every time you hit the ice.
Tip for Consistent Preparation:
Write down the 5 most important objectives of training that prepare you best for games, such as improving fitness. These five aspects should become the BIG Five.
Write down the BIG Five on an index card and put it in your equipment bag. Before every practice, read and commit to your “BIG Five.”
Consistent physical and mental preparation is the key to consistent play.
Related Articles on Hockey Mental Game:
- How to Take Mental Skills to Hockey Games
- Take Action to Prepare for Next Hockey Season
- How to Improve Consistency on the Ice
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Dr. Patrick Cohn helps athletes and teams worldwide from a variety of sport backgrounds improve mental toughness for sports. He’s helped junior to NHL hockey players improve their mental toughness.
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