Trying to get out of a slump mentaly

frankq26 · High School Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 11

Recently when i have been playing ice hockey i go out ready to play but when the game goes on i start to lose focus and wondering during the game and then i lose everything i start guessing where the net is guessing on play's and it seems like anything i do just throws me off even more its just really frustrating has anybody experienced this before if you have plzzz help

thanks frankq26

HawksGoalie33 · Pro Joined: 21 Apr 2008 Posts: 566

Wondering mentally or wondering physically?

If you are wondering mentally then you need to have a set position on the ice which you then know where you are in relation to your net.

I stand out a lot in comparison to other tenders. When the play is in the other end I end up out about a foot short of the hash marks for the lower face off dots, centered between them. It has just become the place that I know how far out I am, how fast or slow to come back with a rush, I already have the angle cut down and Im quick enough to snag dumped in pucks. Point is if I drift off mentally or something when I come back, even if right in the middle of the play, I know exactly where I am positioned in relation to everything. It also serves as a way to start every play the same and then you can break things down and see where things went wrong and work on them through video, etc.

If you are physically drifting then simply stop it, lol. If you are going to wonder physically then you need to stay mentally in the game to have a chance. If you are going to wonder in both senses then you need to fix the mental aspect to have any chance of fixing the physical.

If you need help remaining focused during the game I once had a coach who told us to do one of two things:

1) Become your own announcer and announce every play to yourself that happens in the other end. It forces you to keep vivid watch over the play and lets you snap back into things when it heads your way.

2) Intently watch the play in your end for what the other team does defensively (to then be said to the rest of the team as things to watch for), and tendencies of your own teammates that can help them later in the game.
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you're only as good as your last save

Slinky · Minors Joined: 17 Feb 2009 Posts: 471 Location: Canton, GA

It's a pretty tough question to answer i think. It comes down to the goalie a lot of the time. It's always tough to stand around for 10 or 15 minutes at a time, and then suddenly be ready for a breakaway, oddman rush, powerplay, whatever.

But a couple tricks you can try, I like to have a song in my head, never force one, just whatever you automatically start to sing or hum. After whistles, when the puck is at the other end. I had a shutout at Narch nationals semis singing "Keep on Rollin." I don't like the song, but it's what was in my head and it got me in a groove, a good rhythm. It also forces other thoughts out of your head (things like second guessing, hesitation, stuff like that... a kind of 'whistle-while-you-work' strategy)

Like Hawks said, find a set position where you always know right where you are, even if you're not physically wandering off, but mentally, it helps. It gives you a starting point on every play. Some goalies like the hashmarks, some goalies like the top of the crease, some goalies like standing dead center on the goal line and then coming out to meet the play (Personally, i feel that helps me the most with some of the other aspects of the game, gap control, playing the puck, reading plays).

Finally, don't stand straight up when the puck is at the other end. Seldom noted, but almost all upper level goalies stay crouched, not in their stance, but with the gloves resting on their pads, and their stick out in front of them, sort of leaning forward on their knees. It helps you focus on the game when you're not up straight looking around, and it helps to reduce overall surface area exposed to the cold rink. This means less heat loss, and your muscles stay warmer when you're not really moving for a long stretch of time.
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CreaseKeeper93 · Squirt Joined: 08 Apr 2009 Posts: 2

Hawks and Slinky gave great advice, I use some of those techniques as well. Actually, almost all of em. One point I just think is a good one to keep in mind is in some games when your in a "slump," mental or physical and it seems like easy goals are going in, do not become desperate for a save. I made that mistake last season and got pulled in the first period. It wasn't a pretty sight. In cases like these, just try to settle yourself down, and take each shot as it comes. Don't overthink it and try to bring back your good habits.

Keith · College Joined: 03 Aug 2008 Posts: 41

I think the best way to get out of a slump is this...

-I stop thinking about my game and focus on having fun again
-I watch the ball/puck all the time.

I find it really "zens" you out and you get back into a groove again in no time.
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itechwarrior · Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 4:59 pm Post subject:

The singing to yourself bit works for me. It keeps me from thinking too much. It's an instinct position, this is why we practice our positioning so much. So it becomes second nature and we don't need to think about it. Less thinking, more saves.

In my last play off game, I was thinking, but it was as simple as "keep your chest square to the puck". That's all I thought the whole game, and I got myself a shut out.

goalieboy#1 · Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 9:16 pm Post subject:

Have confidence in yourself, it really screws your mind up when you start thinking "Oh my gosh, i suck!" and other negative things.
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frankq26 · High School Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 11

thanks for all the advice guys its been working really well i got back to having fun and I've been playing great
thanks again!
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