Do superstar hockey players need to be characters and not brimming with character? Many coaches may think that the most talented players may also be the biggest characters. This is reinforced by images we see of Terrell Owens’ antics, for instance. But, I do not believe this is the case, especially in hockey. In my local area, the Red Wings have had two exemplary captains the last two decades; Steve Yzerman and Nicklas Lidstrom. Both are Hall of Fame players with great character.

These are just two examples, but I am sure you can come up with others. Recent captains like Sakic, Messier, Niedermayer, and Brind’Amour were quality people who were great leaders and players. So, it is my opinion that character and performance can co-exist and should. As coaches, we need to be teaching character not only to develop better people but also to enhance individual and team performance.

Next, I will review some of the most common character attributes and skills coaches want their athletes to exhibit. Then, I will demonstrate how these things might look on the ice for performance and off the ice as character.

Responsibility

Performance: Responsibility has everything to do with doing what is expected. On the ice, it can mean fulfilling your role specific duties such as backchecking as a forward or controlling rebounds as a goalie. Responsibility also refers to taking credit and blame as it is fit. For instance, if you make a mistake that leads to a goal, do not point at the goalie. Let the goalie know it was “your bad” and work to make up for it by being responsible to your team.

Character/Off the Ice: Responsibility off the ice also means taking care of role-related expectations, including academics. Players are responsible for staying eligible, and beyond that, studying hard and being open to learning so that they can be successful outside of hockey.

The Commonalities: Whether it is off- or on-ice responsibility, responsible players make good decisions based on what is best for the team and for the long term health of themselves and others. Sacrifice is also a part of responsibility. To be responsible means to sacrifice the immediate gratification of doing things that would undermine individual and team performance and character. Emphasize to your team that responsibility is a habit. Once you start being irresponsible, it is easy to continue. In contrast, taking responsibility, having success and being recognized for it will fuel you to be the kind of player that every coach trusts and puts on the ice at the end of the game.

Integrity

Performance: Having integrity on the ice means not cheating or playing dirty. Players with integrity can be trusted to do the right thing and stay out of the penalty box. Players with integrity also will not intentionally undermine teammates even when it would benefit them. They do what is best for the team.

Character/Off the Ice: Integrity off-the-ice comes down to being honest and genuine. A player with great integrity strives to tell the truth in all situations, avoids hidden agendas, and interacts with others in a genuine manner. People with high integrity do what is right for all, not just themselves. People with high integrity do not cheat on tests and are transparent in their actions with others. They do not manipulate friends to get what they want.

The Commonalities: Clearly integrity is equitable to honesty. You know what you will get from a person with integrity and you can trust them. Players that lack integrity will destroy team chemistry. Moreover, if you lack integrity off-the-ice, it will most certainly change how people think of you and affect you within your team. Trust is the foundation of team success and to have trust you need people of integrity. Integrity is a habit that creates a positive reputation that each player should strive for.

Teamwork

Performance: Obviously, teamwork is critical to hockey performance. Players that put team goals ahead of their own are more likely to look for the best play, instead of the play that suits their own interests (i.e., scoring goals). Team players pass the puck. They also cover for other players by blocking shots and helping on defense. They are also willing to play a third line checker role when it is the best thing for the team.

Character/Off the Ice: In today’s world, many fields require people to work in groups. Thus, the ability to make the team’s goal the priority is critical to job success. If a player has learned to focus on team goals like playing defense, he can transfer that to life settings as well. You do what is best for the team and you will benefit from it as well. Ultimately, knowing how to work with others will help young people have successful lives.

The Commonalities: Teamwork is crucial in both hockey and life. For this attribute, I believe we often learn how to be a good team member in hockey first, so coaches should point out how working with others and putting self-interest behind team interest is something needed for the rest of your life. The skills of learning how to communicate and share the glory with teammates should transfer to life, if either the coach points it out and/or the player recognizes the transfer to his/her school project, for example.

Initiative

Performance: Players demonstrating initiative are willing to step up and do things that teammates avoid doing like picking up pucks, carrying equipment, or handing a player on the ice a new stick. In addition, they will ask questions of their coach and even suggest solutions to problems. You can give a player with initiative responsibility because he or she will take it and run with it. They will do the job, and do it well. They will look for ways to improve upon the process of achieving the task, even if you do not ask them to do so.

Character/Off the Ice: Initiative is a great thing off-the-ice as well because it demonstrates a willingness to step up, be confident, and be productive. Young people with initiative are willing to take on projects that will better their resume, like volunteering, and are goal-focused. As a teacher or supervisor, you do not have to micromanage them and, best of all, you have trust that the work will be done well.

The Commonalities: Coaches need to reveal to players how stepping up and getting the job done is crucial in both arenas (hockey and life). The willingness to clean up the locker room when your teammates make a mess, or in the workplace, shows commitment to excellence. Stepping up also reveals a willingness to lead instead of follow. Showing initiative creates interest and trust from authority figures, and they will in return give that person more of their time and potentially more opportunities. Taking initiative is a habit, and the more you do it, the more you get comfortable doing it.

Emotional Control

Performance: Emotional control in hockey is critical. The ability to control reactions to negative emotions allows players to bounce back quickly after a mistake, persevere despite losing, and avoid retaliating to an opponent’s dirty play. Players demonstrating emotional control are more relaxed under pressure and are able to focus on the task at hand which will lead to better performances.

Character/Off the Ice: The ability to control one’s emotions in crisis situations, or just in anxiety-provoking situations, will develop a resilient self-belief. The person believes that they can succeed despite the bad things that are happening. They will make good decisions under pressure like when faced with an ethical dilemma like cheating on a test or shoplifting.

The Commonalities: Demonstrating emotional control on- and off-the-ice will allow players to be their best under pressure whether it is a championship game in the third period or on a job interview. An understanding that the person does not necessarily control the emotions they feel, and is accepting of that, will allow them to cope with adverse situations. Furthermore, understanding that we have control over reactions to emotions will allow young people to choose positive responses in crucial situations. The skill of emotional control can be the difference between having a great life and reaching your goals, and well, the opposite.

Hopefully, I demonstrated in this article that the character attributes and skills you would want to develop in a young person will help them perform on the ice. If, as coaches, we value character and teach it, we can take advantage of the good character that can be developed in young people for enhancing hockey performance. More importantly, we can show our players how what they learn in hockey can be used in life.

Editor’s Note: This article has been edited for length.  All credit goes to author Larry Lauer, Ph.D. Director of Coaching Education and Development, Institute for the Study of Youth Sports, Michigan State University.  To view the complete article, please visit:

http://hockeymentaledge.blogspot.com/2012/02/coaching-character-and-performance.html