Strategies for Playing with a Sense of Urgency
You’ll notice a big difference between playing with a bit of desperation and being desperate.
Playing with a bit of desperation is playing with a sense of urgency.
Playing with a sense of urgency is trying to make things happen in the moment while maintaining control.
Playing with a sense of urgency is a positive mindset that helps you stay focused and aggressive on the ice.
On the other hand, being desperate is a negative mindset…
Being desperate is playing out of control, forcing passes, taking bad shots or playing back on your heels.
Desperation equates to the fear of losing or a focus on future outcomes.
Comebacks are fueled by playing with a sense of urgency and are a characteristic of resilient teams.
The New York Islanders had one such comeback against the Philadelphia Flyers. The Islanders were down two goals after two periods.
The Islanders hit the ice with that sense of urgency, the one ingredient that makes comebacks possible. New York played under control, looked for opportunities to score and mounted a comeback to wrap up a 5-4 overtime victory.
The victory was the Islanders’ second overtime victory in three days.
In the locker room, Islanders defense-man, Nick Leddy, talked about how the team kept believing and focused on playing with the necessary urgency to turn the tide.
LEDDY: “You just put it behind you [trailing in a game]. You can’t do anything about it. Just focus on the present. It shows our determination. We’ve got a very good team in here.”
Conversely, the Flyers, who have only won three of the last 15 games, look like a team desperate for a win.
Flyers captain Claude Giroux, expressed obvious frustration after the team’s fourth overtime loss of the season.
GIROUX: “We have to find a way to get the win. We played a good game, we just couldn’t finish. We have to find a way to get confidence, especially in the third (period)… We’re all frustrated right now. You play a good game and you can’t find a way to end it.”
Several factors separate playing with a sense of urgency from being desperate.
- You must have the confidence that you can come back when trailing in a game.
- You need to trust your abilities, hockey skills and the all the hours you spent on the ice practicing these very game situations.
- You need to be focused in the moment. It doesn’t matter how the opposing team scored. Focus on what you can do each shift to make plays.
- You must be patient. Instead of pressing and playing frantically, play within yourself and look for your opportunities.
How your approach trailing in a game, the mindset you adopt, is the biggest factor as to whether you fight your way back in the game.
Tip for Playing with a Sense of Urgency:
Remind yourself of the 4 ‘P’s:
- Positive – Stay positive
- Process – Focus on what you should do rather than what has happened
- Patience – Don’t press, but instead look for your opportunities
- Push – Push the pace with a controlled aggressiveness
Learn how to focus in the moment with The Focused Athlete…
Improve Concentration in Sports!
If you’re an athlete who is frequently distracted, loses focus in competition, or wants to learn more about how to focus better under pressure, The Focused Athlete is for you!
Concentration and the ability to focus under adversity is what championship athletes do best.
It only takes one distraction to enter your mind for you to lose a critical point, miss a putt, or lose a second off your lap time. You cannot afford to let distractions run wild in your mind and cause you to make errors at critical times in the game!
The Focused Athlete is a complete system to teach you how to focus like a champion and harness the power of a zone focus every tie you step on the playing field, court, track or course in practice and games!
This workbook and CD program consists of 2 audio CDs that include 14 days of focus boosting exercises and a simple to follow workbook that guides you through each of the 14 days, helps you apply strategies, and customizes the exercises to your personal focus challenges.
Discover:
- How to quickly identify distractions that sabotage your concentration and how to quickly refocus after distractions.
- How to use pregame routines to help you harness the power of zone concentration before competition.
- How to use preshot routines before shots or serves to help you be more task-focused instead of worrying about results.
Learn more about one of our most popular CD programs in The Confident Athlete Series…
The Focused Athlete: A 14-Day Plan For Superior Concentration
What are customers saying about our mental game programs?
“I just finished ‘The Confident Athlete Program‘. Improving confidence is a never ending process. I think that confidence boosting is an awesome area. Having a daily mental plan for mental “work outs” can turbo charge anyone’s confidence level…. Studying almost all of Dr. Cohn’s mental game materials gives me a real EDGE over my competitions and most importantly – a boost in my daily life.”
~Radek Sefcik, peaksports.com member
“I enjoyed ‘The Confident Athlete Series’ 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 can see that ‘The Confident Athlete Series‘ program is really sort of a lifestyle change. Just as weight loss involves a change in eating habits, confidence involves a change in thinking habits. I recently participated in a registered Skeet tournament and shot the best doubles score I’ve shot in four years. I attribute that score to your program!”
~Kevin Lutgen, Shooter
“As a result of reading and implementing ‘The Confident Athlete Series,’ I am once again enjoying golf and letting bad shots roll off my shoulders and appreciating my good shots without attaching expectations. Thanks Dr. Cohn!”
~Stu Blasius, P.G.A. Golf Professional
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?
“Peaksports.com website 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
“Kayleigh handled the pressure very well while many of the girls around her crumbled. She skated very well & ended 6th among the top 40 in the country. She achieved her personal best in both her short program & overall & tied her personal best in the long. I think you have really helped her!”
–Kathy Maksymec, parent
“Ashley wanted me to let you know that she placed very well at her competition this past weekend, thanks to you! She won the short, won the long, and had her personal best. She now looks at her competitions like ice shows and has fun. It is really nice to see her thoroughly enjoying the skate. She is very focused and very confident. We definitely attribute this to you.”
~Brenda Glassco, Skating Parent
“I just wanted to let you know that my son skated this weekend at our Regional Competition. He worked his mental game and everything you taught him. He skated two wonderful programs, scored a personal best and ended up with the title of Pacific Northwest Regional Champion at the Intermediate level. Thank you for your wonderful training. He had the right focus and had so much fun at this competition. The title is sweet icing on the cake.”
~Pomaika’i, Sports Parent
Leave a Reply