There’s no argument that ice hockey is one of the most physically demanding sports in the world. Yet beyond the skill, speed, and strength involved lies another aspect of the game that separates the great from the elite players, and that’s mental toughness. Mindset, emotional control, focus, and confidence influence performance on the rink, and that’s what elite players focus on when preparing for games, knowing that their opponents will have done the same. The mental game can make all the difference between victory and defeat, so it’s vitally important that hockey players are prepared psychologically for competition. Let’s look at how that psychology can make all the difference.
Pace and Decision Making
Ice hockey is a high octane game which relies on speed, pace, and precision. Whilst skating at rapid speeds, players must make split-second decisions, and react to constantly changing situations, such as positioning of team mates or opponents. Mental clarity and exceptional concentration are at play — the environment demands it, and it can be a decisive moment between success and failure. A lapse in focus, even for a moment, can result in a missed assignment, a costly turnover, or even a goal against. Presence of mind is important, and elite players can train their minds to block out the many distractions at play. These include noise from the crowd, previous mistakes and external pressure, especially if they’ve played badly the week before. Focus of breathing or repeating simple cue words, enable players to reset their minds quickly and focus on the intensive action.
Confidence
Hockey players go through rigorous training drills, from slap shooting to defensive measures, but confidence out there on the ice makes all the difference, and is a cornerstone of the psychology of the game. Confidence affects how a player skates, shoots, passes, and engages physically — all attributes that contribute to success in games. Decision making, assertion, and willingness to take responsibility in key moments can make all the difference between success and failure. A dearth of confidence leads to indecision, overthinking and conservative play. Preparation is key to build confidence, and is rooted in self-belief. Training the brain to succeed under pressure is a great way to build confidence and succeed on the ice.
Emotions
Critical in all sports, but especially in one as high-octane and fast-paced as hockey is emotional control. It’s ok to feed off emotions, but you must control them, otherwise they can lead to aggression and a lack of judgement, and this equates to penalties, retaliation, and the general loss of composure. Elite players learn how to channel emotions productively rather than suppressing them. Staying emotionally balanced allows players to respond strategically instead of reacting impulsively. It’s an area increasingly emphasised by coaches and sports psychologists, who teach players to recognise early signs of frustration and anxiety, and refocus themselves to perform better on the ice.
Resilience
When it comes to long term success, resilience is a keyword. All sportspeople experience setbacks, it’s an inevitability of elite competition. Injuries, slumps in form, being benched, or suffering losses all can take their toll on professional athletes. Mental toughness is defined not by avoiding adversity but by responding to it effectively. Resilient players view setbacks as opportunities for growth rather than as threats to their identity. Focusing on the controllable factors in the game and in their training they can stay committed to perpetual improvement, which can pay dividends when it comes to competition. Team resilience is also important, but individual strength fosters this.
Leadership
Having a strong and stable leader is important for the whole team. Captains and veteran players can influence team psychology by behaving properly and showing initiative in high stress situations. This has a drip down effect, bringing a level of calmness and composure that is so important in a rough and physical game like ice hockey. Talismanic leadership can elevate the entire team to new heights, helping performance on the ice, and to grab the best results possible. They also set the tone for player behaviour in the junior ranks, inspiring younger players to achieve all they can.
Ice hockey is a challenging sport in more ways than one. In fact, psychological factors play a major role in the wellbeing of a team, and their outcomes on the ice.
https://www.headspace.com/articles/5-ways-stay-calm-competition