Winning Mindset Against Your Biggest Competition
Before you are about to play a hockey game, how do you decide which team is better?
The question may sound absurd since the game hasn’t even been played.
However, many hockey players approach games with assumptions about their opponents, impacting their performance on the ice.
For instance, some players may head into a game focused on their opponent’s significantly better record and assume their team will probably lose. They will not be excited to play, which causes them to play flat.
Some players may assume a game is “unwinnable” because they haven’t won a head-to-head matchup in a couple of seasons. These players often lack focus, fail to implement the game plan, and play sloppy hockey.
Some players assume that since their best player is out for a game due to injury, their chances of victory have decreased dramatically. These players play with a negative attitude and fail to pick up the slack.
Competing against a team with a better record or players with flashy statistics can be daunting, but adopting the right mindset can significantly improve one’s chances of success.
Adopting a Competitive Mindset
A competitive mindset is one where you are prepared to compete from the first drop of the puck to the final whistle, regardless of the game circumstances or the opponent.
- Players with a competitive mindset believe in their abilities. They have fostered their confidence through preparation, practice, and mental training.
These players trust their skills and believe they have what it takes to compete and win, regardless of the opponent’s record.
- Players with a competitive mindset play fearlessly. They are not intimidated by their opponent and play aggressively throughout the game. These players don’t fear making mistakes and are willing to take calculated risks to contribute to the team’s success.
- Players with a competitive mindset can adapt and adjust on the fly. They focus on what they can control and are willing to adjust their game if necessary.
As the 2023-24 regular season was winding down, the Philadelphia Flyers (36-26-9) faced the Boston Bruins (41-16-15). Boston won their two previous meetings during the season.
However, the Flyers were confident in their ability to compete against anyone. With the playoffs on the line, the Flyers pulled out a 3-2 victory to notch the 12th season victory over top-10 clubs.
Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Samuel Ersson, who made 18 saves on 20 shots, heralded the team’s competitive mindset, focus, and confidence as the difference-makers for the game.
ERSSON: “I think all year we have been playing good against top teams. Obviously you have to respect them, but we know what we can do; we’re a good team, as well. We have to believe that and go out and prove it every night.”.
Victory is earned, not awarded. In other words, through preparation, training, focus, and effort, games are won.
Developing a competitive mindset takes introspection, mental work, patience, and time.
The first step to forging a new mindset is to determine how your mindset has helped or hurt past performances.
Assessing your mindset will help you identify mental skills that need addressing.
Related Articles on Hockey Mental Game:
- Your Mindset and Finishing Hockey Games
- Hockey Mindset for Peak Performance
- Mental Keys to Recovery for Hockey Players
*Subscribe to The Sports Psychology Podcast on iTunes
*Subscribe to The Sports Psychology Podcast on Spotify
The Mental Edge for Hockey
The Mental Edge for Hockey teaches you proven and simple mental game strategies so you can overcome fear of failure, lack of confidence, slumps or poor composure, take your practice game to competition, and boost your confidence in hockey. You learn simple, actionable mental game strategies to help you perform at your peak!
I’ve worked with athletes for 30 plus years – and know the top challenges that undermine performance when you perform in games. Now you can tap into my expertise and experience in coaching hockey players on the mental game.
In this program, you’ll learn the TOP 10 mental training lessons for hockey players – the same strategies I teach one-on-one athletes I coach on the mental game. My clients pay thousands of dollars for personal coaching, but now you can have the same strategies to improve your mental game – at a fraction of the price.
Leave a Reply