Hello Goalies!
Many times we can get stuck going through the motions and thinking that showing up is all we have to do when in reality that's just the start. I can only imagine what you're going through regarding your school and hockey schedule in comparison to last year and this year. There's a lot of uncertainty with our future and not knowing what's going to happen next. This can relate to playing in a hockey game with a 2-0 lead where your future looks positive but being on the other team and trailing 2-0 can give you a negative feel and your future doesn't look too bright.
No matter what's going on in the world or the hockey game, you have to understand that you always have control of your attitude and effort. It starts with what you tell yourself everyday and the image you see yourself as. It's very important not to let people's opinions affect you and distract you or change the standard you hold yourself to. It's the ability to stay focused and block out anybody who says something negative or has a negative opinion, because you hold yourself to your standard and that's all that matters.
Goalies have to set their standard before they step onto the ice. "I'm going to battle for every puck and make sure I have fun working hard with my teammates so I can help our team win." That's holding yourself to a standard! It all starts by simply explaining to yourself the goalie you want to be or the person you want to become, it goes both ways.
Sit down and think of values that are important to you as a goalie and what you think makes a great goalie. Now see yourself playing as that goalie you picture in your head and work towards it by reminding yourself every time before you step onto the ice of the goalie you are becoming. Back to the 2-0 game and being on the losing team with the game still not over. We have two scenarios, 1. Goalie hears his teammate say "We have no chance winning this game," Goalie believes his teammate's negative thought and lets that slip into his head and pull him away from his standard. 2. Goalie hears his teammate's negative thought but reminds himself of the standard he holds himself to as a goalie and making sure no matter what he believes in winning.
Which goalie is going to succeed and which goalie are you going to be?
Coach Petrak
