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Developing consistant play

By Justin Johnson, USA Hockey's Minnesota District Associate Goalie Coach-In-Chief, 11/17/11, 6:24PM CST

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Keys for success

Goalie at 2011 Minnesota Hockey Reebok High Performance Goalie Camp.

When you think about what separates a back-up from a starter, or a good goaltender from a great goaltender their level of consistency is what often times determines their fate.
 
There are many goaltenders out there who have the basic style, technique, and knowledge of the game, yet it is those who can bring a high level of performance to each game night after night that establish themselves as the go to guy or girl.
 

Every week I’m confronted with questions from coaches, parents, and goaltenders alike as to how can consistency be developed. The quickest answer to this question is: To become consistent on the ice you must become consistent in your preparation off the ice.

First of all it is crucial to recognize the importance of quality practice habits, physical training methods and attitude that over the course of the season and a career play a vital role in a goaltender’s level of consistency. For the scope of this article, however, let’s focus on the psychological aspect of developing consistency.

 

The primary method in developing consistency psychologically is through the development of a pre-game routine. Establishing a routine holds numerous benefits for a goaltender. The primary benefit is that it helps you prepare for the possible scenarios and manage the many stressors you may face in a given game. What is a routine you may ask? A routine is made up of a series of actions you take in order to help prepare both your mind and body for competition.

These actions are done for the same duration and in the same order consistently through out game day or even in the days before. In fact long before game day, you can set goals and layout your game plan.

 

You can also visualize and establish stretching patterns to follow. Each of these play a role in preparing your mind and body for competition.

 

These basics also provide the foundation for your routine and help you focus on what’s important and eliminate what’s not. Using a routine that you develop over time will help you avoid many adversities that goaltenders face. These might include the added pressure to perform during important games, the stress of coming back after a loss, the pressure to perform better than in your previous game, or the difficulty of playing on the road in a hostile rink. Your game-day routine allows you to focus on the routine rather than on the potential adversity.  When you do, these situations lose their power to affect you because there’s no room for them in the routine.

It is important to note at this point that a routine is different than a superstition. Superstitions are fun and quirky but in the end hold little to no preparatory value, and elite goaltenders recognize that a lucky shirt, etc. have little to do with their actual performance besides adding a little comfort.

 

Whatever you include in your pre game routine it is important to keep in mind a couple of key points that insures you will get the most from your preparation. First the routine’s effectiveness will build as you continue to follow the regiment. In other words the more you follow what you set up the more assured your mind and body become that you can perform consistently. Secondly you want to have control over what goes into your routine; you don’t want to rely on others to help you be ready.

 

Finally don’t abandon a complete routine because of a poor performance, often times small changes may be necessary in order to find the right mix. Finding the best routine is often times a trial and error process that may change for home, and away games, and whether you are starting that night or are preparing to back-up. Remember a routine doesn’t guarantee you a great performance, nothing does, it will however, set you up for the best opportunity to perform at your highest level consistently.  

When goaltenders are interviewed we often hear about the differences in game day routine. Some are extensive and start before they go to bed the night before. Others are short and start prior to putting on the equipment. Some goaltenders routine is to think as little as possible about the game, and that’s great if it works for them. Whatever makes up your personal routine it must pass one question in order for it to be relied on. Does this action prepare either my mind or body for competition? If so, then you need to add it to your routine.
 

Below are some examples of actions that if done regularly have historically helped goaltenders prepare for competition.

Scheduled start and end times for sleep/naps, meals, stretching, and warm-up exercises ex. (soccer, hacky sack, tennis ball drills, bike, or jump rope) Implementing mental imagery, music, game film, or relaxation techniques

Quick Tip:
If your practices seem to be lagging in intensity and direction, or even if you have been struggling during drills. Try developing your own pre-practice routine to help you get the most out of your ice time. This should be a shorter version of your pre-game routine, by keeping only the key elements or by shortening up the duration of each action.

For more, information, contact Justin at jjohnson@minnesotahockey.org.