Maintaining Stable Confidence in Hockey
Achieving your personal goals in hockey requires more than talent, size and speed.
Success in hockey is dependent on self-confidence, one of the most critical mental skills that contribute to success of any athlete.
Self-confidence is how strongly you believe in your ability to execute a skill, perform a task or play at a certain level and, without it, you are doomed to under-perform.
For many hockey players, self-confidence is not stable.
For these players, self-confidence is like riding a roller coaster…
One game, their self-confidence will be high and, the next game, their self-confidence will be low.
Confidence can even change from shift to shift.
True confidence, based on years of practice and play, doesn’t change from shift to shift.
If you want difference-making confidence, you will need to focus on developing stable and unwavering confidence, one that is sustained no matter what has happened on the ice.
By focusing on past successes, personal strengths, positive mental skills, solid week of practice, level of preparation and positive emotions, your self-confidence will stay stable for games.
Another method to ensure stable confidence is to understand mistakes will happen and that it is necessary to keep those mistakes in the past.
The Edmonton Oilers have been a team searching for confidence the entire season.
The Oilers’ play and confidence have been up and down all year. At one point, Edmonton was 3-11-0 after a win this season.
The Oilers’ inconsistent play is evidence of a team lacking confidence. With a 20-23-3 record in 46 games, the Oilers know confidence will be the key if they are to earn a wildcard and land in the playoffs.
After consecutive victories, Oiler center Leon Draisaitl sees confidence as a matter of focus, that is, focusing on past successes and focusing on playing their style game after game.
DRAISAITL: “I think we’ve gotten back to playing fast, playing the way we’re capable of playing and the way we played for most of last year. I think that confidence is coming back and for us now, obviously it’s just a matter of keeping that going, being consistent with it.”
Oilers coach Todd McLellan talked about the challenges to confidence and that confidence is a work in progress that requires attention and focus in order to keep it at a high level.
McLELLAN: “You earn confidence. You earn it by doing things right over and over again. You begin to feel good about yourself individually and collectively. It’s been a challenge, because sometimes we do that and don’t win.”
You earn confidence by working on it daily rather than leaving it up chance.
Imagine how much better your game would be with high, stable confidence.
Maintaining Stable Confidence:
Confidence is based on years of practice and play, not the last shift or game performance.
Focus on your abilities and talents that are enduring and don’t go away after one mistake, such as your fitness level or stick handing ability.
Stable confidence comes from the belief in your talents that make you a strong player. Learn how you can become even more confident today:
Learn Mental Game Strategies to Boost Your Confidence in Sports!
If you’re an athlete who struggles with self-doubt, loses confidence, or cant take “practice confidence” to competition, The Confident Athlete is for you!
Self-confidence is what separates champion athletes from the rest of the competitors…
You can tap into my knowledge and experience to learn how to bring ultimate confidence to competition!
The Confident Athlete CD and workbook program consists of 2 audio CD’s that include 14 days of confidence fueling exercises and a simple to follow workbook that guides you through the 14 days, helps you apply the strategies and customizes the exercises to your personal needs.
Remember, confidence is a choice you make. You have to make a conscious effort to proactively seek confidence building thoughts and behaviors. Confident Athletes are proactive when it comes to confidence!
Learn more about one of our most popular CD programs in The Confident Athlete Series…
The Confident Athlete: A 14-Day Plan For Ultimate Self-Confidence
Take control of your mindset and performance today!
What are mental game customers saying about our confidence boosting program?
“I first purchased The Confident Athlete to see how the program went and immediately saw results. I then purchased the rest of the confident athlete series and have noticed a dramatic improvement in my level of play or should I say consistency. I currently play NCAA Division 1 baseball for Lamar University, and even my coaches have noticed a change in the way that I approach the game. My attitude and confidence at the plate.”
~Tylor Prudhomme
(Listen to his success story)
“My son finished the entire Confident Athlete Program. The CD Program helped TREMENDOUSLY. He used it to keep positive thoughts flowing. He was able to focus on his fight instead of on his negative thoughts. He fought at his very best. We are thankful to God for leading us to your web site. The CONFIDENT ATHLETE was perfect.“
~Wanda, Sports Parent
“I enjoyed ‘The Confident Athlete’ very much. I particularly liked the format, the ease of the program, and the 2 CDs that accompanied the workbook – 10-20 minutes a day was simple to adhere to and put in my busy schedule. I love the part about confidence with grace, and what I want to portray and feel the minute I step foot into Los Angeles for nationals. I love the affirmations, the relaxation techniques, and just the entire perspective of the program.”
~Sarah, US National Aerobic Gymnastics Team
“I am a ASP world qualifying professional surfer and after beginning the ‘The Confident Athlete’ I had an almost instant change in attitude about my own surfing ability and my mindset going into competition. By using the Confident Athlete strategies, my confidence has done a complete 180 degrees. I won a local pro/am a few weeks back, and just had my best result of the year in one the last big events on the world circuit this last week in Brazil! It is my secret weapon!”
~Shaun Burrell, Professional Surfer
(Listen to his success story)
Boost Your Self-Confidence And Focus With Expert Mental Game Coaching!
Master mental game coach Dr. Patrick Cohn can help you overcome your mental game issues with personal coaching.
You can work with Dr. Patrick Cohn himself in Orlando, Florida or via Skype, FaceTime, or telephone. Call us toll free at 888-742-7225 or contact us for more information about the different coaching programs we offer!
What are our mental coaching students saying?
“Great stuff on the hockey psychology report! Thank you very much for sharing. We are going to go through the report tonight at practice. Keep up the awesome work.”
~Sean Woodhouse (Coach Woody)
“I coach 2002’s at a AA level. I’m convinced that half of them are held back more by their minds than their bodies, maybe more than half. I like your 10 costly mistakes players make. The language is targeted at older kids, but the ideas are simple enough to convey to younger players. I’ll be using some of this for our game this afternoon!”
~Steve Taylor, Hockey Coach
“The resources that you have available on your website have been wonderful. A sound mental game may be more important then the actual physical part of the sport. Yes you have to have the talent, but the mental game is what sets apart a very good athlete compared to an elite athlete. Thanks again.”
~Darren Hughesman
“Peaksports.com web site is so exciting. I researched them all and without a doubt your mental training site is the best! The vast amount of programs you provide helps athletes and coaches achieve higher levels of excellence in sports.”
~Doug Bolander, Hockey Coach
Leave a Reply