Quick answer: You play faster in hockey when you make decisions faster. Indecision and overthinking slow you down, so you play faster by thinking less, trusting your skills and reacting to what you see on the ice.
Does it feel like you are playing too slow on the ice? Hockey is fast-paced sport, which requires you to make quick decisions…
When you (or your players) are indecisive during a shift, this can cause you to play slower. When you are indecisive, you over think what to do with the puck…
Why Do You Feel Slow on the Ice?
When you play too slow, indecision is often the cause. You hold on to the puck too long, hesitate before you shoot or pass, and second-guess what to do next.
Fear of making a mistake makes it worse. You start to coach yourself through each play, and that splits your focus and leads to tentative play. A practice mindset can slow you down too. In practice you analyze and fix your technique, but at game time that same analytical mindset gets in the way of reacting.
Watch this video to learn how to play faster by making better decisions
Mindset Habits to Play Faster in Hockey
Think Less and React
Games are for playing and reacting, not thinking. When you start thinking about how to perform a skill while you compete, you disrupt the fluidity of your movement and make basic habits harder to perform. Save technique for practice. In games, react to what you see and feel on the ice. Read more about how to stop overthinking your hockey game.
Trust Your Skills at Game Time
In practice you are trying to fix mistakes and improve your skills. That analytical mindset is right for practice, but at game time you need to trust your skills and allow your performance to happen instead of forcing it. Divide your practice into learning and performing, and re-create the situations you will face in competition. See how to build trust in your hockey skills at game time.
Let Go of the Last Play
Dwelling on a previous play or mistake pulls your attention away from the present play. Let go of previous plays and focus on the play in front of you. A process focus in hockey is one way to stay in the present.
Play Your Game From Your Strengths
Playing your game means taking advantage of your strengths and dictating the action on the ice. Identify what you do well, have a clear game plan and stay focused on carrying it out. This approach gives you a sense of control and lets you play loose and go for opportunities without fearing mistakes. Learn more about playing your game in hockey.
Signs You Are Playing Slow
- You hold on to the puck too long.
- You hesitate before you take a shot or commit to a pass.
- You hesitate to go for a loose puck.
- You second-guess your decisions when you have the puck.
- You coach yourself through every play.
- You think about your last mistake instead of the current play.
If this sounds like you, read how to stop hesitating during hockey games.
Playing Faster in Hockey: Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I play slow in hockey?
When you are indecisive, you overthink what to do with the puck, and that slows your play. Fear of mistakes leads to second-guessing and coaching yourself during a shift, which splits your focus and makes you play tentatively.
How do I make faster decisions on the ice?
Think less and react. Save technique and how-to thoughts for practice. At game time, trust your skills, react to what you see and feel on the ice, and let go of the previous play so your attention stays on the present play.
Does overthinking make you slower in hockey?
Yes. When you think about how to perform a skill while you compete, you disrupt the fluidity of your movement and make basic habits harder to perform.
How is the game-time mindset different from the practice mindset?
In practice you use an analytical, learning mindset to fix mistakes and improve your skills. At game time you trust your skills and let your performance happen instead of forcing it.
Want help playing faster with more confidence? Learn how our hockey mental coaches work with players in our hockey mental coaching programs.
Related Articles on Hockey Mental Game:
- Hockey Mindset for Peak Performance
- How Athletes Can Avoid the Comparison Trap
- Improve Your Hockey Skills with Smart Practice
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