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Show Notes: https://agelesshockey.com/22
Email: Jim@AgelessHockey.com
List of All Podcast Episodes: https://agelesshockey.com/episode-list/

How Important is the Mental Side of Hockey?

Hockey Grit, Grind, and Mind (Kevin L. Willis, PhD)
It’s for all those who are serious about becoming an elite player and reaching their full potential.
I think this book can also help us older recreational players that want to improve our game.
https://www.amazon.com/Hockey-Grit-Grind-Mind-Consistency/dp/1683508300/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=hockey+grit&qid=1552333730&s=gateway&sr=8-4

Kevin Willis, PhD (author) was inspired in 1980 when Team USA beat Russia (Soviet Union).
NOTE: Many people forget that the United States won the gold medal by beating Finland, not Russia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miracle_on_Ice

Kevin wondered how could college players beat one of the best hockey teams in the world? He started researching what makes hockey players better.

1. Grit
A persistent, dedicated, focused, motivated, passionate drive to be the best.

2. Passion
A. What do you really Want?
B. What do you Believe? You need to get rid of negative thinking.
C. What are you willing to do? Yes, hard work may be required.

3. Perception
Need to take an honest look at yourself. What do you have to offer and need to improve?
To get an honest assessment of yourself, you need to ask others to be honest with you.

Motivation
A. Over Motivated Players
BAD: Desire to be perfect, which results in extra stress.
Lack of confidence. Letting mistakes continue to bother you.
GOOD: Hard worker, passionate, pride and easy to coach.

B. Under Motivated Player
BAD: You are so talented, you don’t work hard to improve. Hockey seems easy for you.
GOOD: Very confident.

4. Purpose
Knowing you can make your dreams a reality.
Confidence, Values and Goals.

5. Practice
Even if no one else you skate with practices between skates, you can.

Deliberate Practice (IMPORTANT): Put on your calendar and work on one specific goal. Don’t just work on what you’re already good at.

6. Perseverance
Use this to consistency and continually progress toward your goals.
Mental Toughness: Consistently perform at the top of your game, regardless of what is going on around you.

7. Passion to Stay
Optimism, Enthusiasm, Gratitude

My Conclusion

The author goes into a lot more detail in this 145 page book.
Overall, I liked this book.
The more I study hockey, I believe the mental side is very important.

The New Look Dallas Stars: Just How Important Are “Grit” & “Tenacity”?
https://www.defendingbigd.com/2012/7/10/3149505/the-new-look-dallas-stars-just-how-important-are-grit-tenacity

NOTE: I removed the Team USA Grit link I mentioned in the podcast, because it was going to a different site.

Hockey – The Mental Game
http://howtohockey.com/hockey-the-mental-game/

Are You Training Your Hockey Mind?
https://www.hockeyshot.com/mental-preparation/training-your-hockey-mind

The Hockey Pro Training Podcast
http://hockeyprotrainingpodcast.libsyn.com/

Listener Email

Pete
Hi Jim,
I am 33 and run a skate twice a week for newbies and older adults getting back into hockey. They have nicknamed it “Bad hockey”. It is mostly a skills development and then the second half we scrimmage.

Been telling people at the skate to give your podcast a listen and have had a few guys say how much they relate to everything you are saying. They said it is nice to know they are not alone. We are over on the other side of the state in southwest Michigan.

Keep up the great work and can’t wait to listen to more.

Hockey Training has been a great source for myself in off-ice training.
https://www.hockeytraining.com/
I talked in detail about this training in the last episode https://agelesshockey.com/21

Skate With Power is a program that a few people I know have used. They like and recommend it.
https://www.skatewithpower.com/

Pete also listens to Matt on The Hockey Pro Training Podcast.

Thanks for the email’s Pete!

Hiro
Hi, Jim:

As you mentioned in your latest show, everyone is trying to reduce the danger of getting hurt while playing hockey. Mine is the most protective equipment: a CCM Shoulder pad and a Warrior extra pad is for LaCross. It looks like a stage underwear of Madonna’s. It mainly protects my back bones. I got them from a friend of mine in Canada and they are 270 Canadian Dollars for both pads.

I have put an extra cushion on the blade of my stick so that I won’t bounce back the puck and mis-receive it. This may not be officially allowed.

Hiro, in one picture you sent, the extra tape on your blade should be OK.

In the other picture, it looks like you have a foam packing sheet on top of the tape. This sheet is on the entire length of the blade. I’ve never seen this before. Does this really help?
Have you tried only using tape on your stick and practicing passing/receiving passes with another player? I do this a lot before our drop-in games.

Thanks for the email’s Hiro.

Tips

Shoe Repair Shop
Shin guard: Velcro on strap coming apart. $2
Glove repair.

HockeyTracker App: iPhone and Apple Watch
Maximum speed, Heart Rate, Heart Rate Recovery, Distance Skated (compare to a runner?), Number of Shifts, Total Ice Time, etc.
Works for Skaters, Goalies and Refs
Cost: $2.99/month, $19.99/year
https://www.hockeytrackerapp.com/

Hockey Tutorial – Chris
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9-p7xRgWlI (4:44)

Hockey Training Podcast – Coach Garner
https://www.hockeytraining.com/podcast/

Update on Jim

The local fire department came to our rink to give us defibrillator training.

I got called to play for a team in the last 3 games of the Fall League playoffs, because a player broke his ankle. I played defense all 3 games.
We won the first two games. I had one goal and two assists.
We lost in the championship game, so we came in second place out of 6 teams.
It was fun playing in the league again.

Spring League started.
Only 4 teams (Fall: 6). There are only 10 games.
The rosters are full, so I’ll be subbing again.

iTrain Hockey Membership
I’ve only looked at a few videos, but they are excellent. Sean breaks down every move and also shows it in slow motion.

Bryan Perez
6’1”, 195 lbs, LW
June 2001: Drafted by the NY Islanders in the 9th round.

Good News: I finally found an on-ice training program.
I don’t start this training until June, so I’ll give you details later.

THANKS AGAIN FOR LISTENING!

Please let me know what you do regarding the mental part of hockey.
Email me at Jim@AgelessHockey.com

As always, I value your time and appreciate all of you that have subscribed to my podcast.

Always remember what’s important: Have Fun, Try to Avoid Injuries and Make New Friends.

Have fun playing the greatest game on earth!
STAY ON THE ICE