Improving Confidence Through Focus
What skills do you focus on in your hockey game?
Many players will focus on the major aspects of the game such as a powerful slap shot, blazing speed or bulking up.
While these skills are necessary, peak performance requires just a little more… doing the little things right.
In reality, focusing on the little things can be the difference maker and provide the biggest impact come game time.
The little things include aspects such as:
- Focusing on your defense rather than just your offensive stats
- Developing a strong mental game
- Being fully prepared, mentally and physically for each game
- Looking to make the great pass instead of forcing a shot
- Being in the right position
- Not over-handling the puck
- Keeping your stick on the ice
- Working hard in practice rather than just going through the motions
- Keeping your head up
- Winning the loose puck battles
- Never giving up on a play
- Bouncing back after a bad shift
- Giving 100% effort
- Being a good teammate
Any hockey player can focus on the little things. You don’t have to be the most physically imposing player, or the faster player on the ice or the most talented player on the team.
It’s the little things that add up to big improvement in your game and can give you and your team the edge you are looking for.
The Carolina Hurricanes played inconsistently over the first couple of months of season.
The Hurricanes have high hopes of making the playoffs for the first time since 2009 but seem to slip backwards after taking a step forward.
Carolina’s play has nothing to do with talent but their failure to consistently do the little things that contribute to overall success.
The Hurricanes started putting things together towards the end of December winning seven of nine games.
Carolina right winger Sebastian Aho feels the team has regained their confidence by working on the little things.
AHO: “I think we have a good confidence right now and we just have to keep it going. I think we’re doing all the little things and are comfortable as a team.”
Carolina center Derek Ryan believes the combination of doing the little things have provided a big impact on the team’s recent success.
RYAN: “It’s been a lot of little things adding up to the victories in the end, executing on the game plan, specialty teams being better. Our power play hasn’t scored a ton but has been generating chances. Our penalty kill has been phenomenal. I think five-on-five we’ve dominated a lot of teams and really good teams. I can’t put one thing on it. But the recipe’s working.”
By focusing on the little things, you can build confidence, greatly impact your game and gain an edge over your opponents.
It’s the little things over time that make the biggest impact on your overall game.
Focusing on The Little Things:
Start a practice log. Before each practice create two objectives for the session.
Think of one of the little things that can elevate your game.
How will you work towards this goal? What do you need to focus on to help you reach your objectives, such as more intensity, focus, or composure?
Don’t allow the little things become an afterthought in your training… Move those things higher on the priority list!
Improve your practice and game focus today with “The Focused Athlete” program…
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 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
“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
“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!
If you’re a top performer during practice but find yourself under-performing in competition, the most likely culprit holding you back is your mental game.
Master mental game coach Dr. Patrick Cohn can help you overcome your mental game issues with one-on-one personal mental game 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 game coaching students, parents and coaches saying?
“Peaksports.com web site 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
“I coach 2002’s at a AA level. I’m convinced that half of them are held back more by their minds than their bodies, maybe more than half. I like your 10 costly mistakes players make. The language is targeted at older kids, but the ideas are simple enough to convey to younger players. I’ll be using some of this for our game this afternoon!”*
~Steve Taylor, Hockey Coach
“The resources that you have available on your website have been wonderful. A sound mental game may be more important then the actual physical part of the sport. Yes you have to have the talent, but the mental game is what sets apart a very good athlete compared to an elite athlete. Thanks again.”*
~Darren Hughesman
“Great stuff on the hockey psychology report! Thank you very much for sharing. We are going to go through the report tonight at practice. Keep up the awesome work.”*
~Sean Woodhouse (Coach Woody)
