Wolfpack_1986 154 Report post Posted January 16, 2008 So, I broke my ankle back in June and have been skating since september, playing pickup since october, and in league play again for two weeks so far (1 game per week). In pickup, i feel fine, havent really had any confidence problems, with the exception of one night where a gigantic person who couldnt skate was barreling in on me about 3 feet from where I broke my ankle. My first league game, I did ok, but found myself hesitant and playing hot-potato with the puck. Last night, we played probably one of the strongest teams in the league, who can get chippy, and I had the worst night of my life out there. I'm playing with friends a level up from where I should be playing, and fared well the first few games i played leading into the injury, so I know I can keep up.What have you guys done to shake lack of confidence? Or what have you done to not get so down about it. I'm definitely not the most skilled on our team, so when I'm playing like shit, i feel like I'm really letting the team down. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sdcopp 1 Report post Posted January 16, 2008 time and constant reassurance of yourself are about the best cures for it. The hesitancy won't simply go away, and until you have enough time to where you don't think about it anymore it's going to affect you. I caught a puck right under the eye when I was 18, just 2 months after being able to lose the cage, and wouldn't skate in the center of the rink for quite some time, but it slowly happened where I worried less and less about it. It just so happened in the heat of the game I'd start jumping in to block shots, and I had to step in front of the shooter. It still rolls around in the back of my mind sometimes, but it's never the ever-present thought it was. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterpeice_patrice 4 Report post Posted January 16, 2008 they key to rebounding form injury is staying focused while you are injured. foucs on your physiotherepy and how you can make yourself stronger and faster. never jump on the ice till you are 100% you dont want to tweak that ankle agian. sometimes your mind says you are ready but physically you are not. have a mri done on the ankle just to be on the safe side if you are thinking about returning to hockey on a serious note. getting injured is a draw back to your game as hockey is a game of inches and seconds. once u are ready to go.. you will shake off the rust after a few practices or games. good luck and happy hockey!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
McDougalfaschnitzer 32 Report post Posted January 16, 2008 Don't try to do too much. Take it easy, As you are building back up, you need to set goals for yourself. Focus on taking care of the basic goals before you try to do anything crazy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Done like dinner 0 Report post Posted January 16, 2008 The advice about conditioning your body is good, keep it consistent, set goals and BE PATIENT. I broke my fibula and it took 3 years to finally get the small muscles and tendons to work properly and it still hurts like hell after games if I don't get into a hot tub. However, conditioning your mind is very important. Before a game tell yourself what kind of negative "incidents" (mistakes or missed opportunities) you will shrug off, and which ones you will use as learning experiences. When you get back to the bench after a shift go through the shift in your mind and put what happened into those categories, and don't forget to be proud of solid outlets passes, staying with your man, getting into an open lane even if you didn't get passed to and the fact that you skated hard. If you make this a habit you will improve, guaranteed. Even sport psyches for NHL'ers tell them this stuff 'cause they're human too (esp. the Leafs OMG). Also, be confident that your ankle needs to be played on (but not abused) to get better. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DamnLocust 0 Report post Posted January 17, 2008 Done Like Dinner touched on this a bit, but focus on doing the small things right. play simple, basic hockey. You don't need to score 3 goals a game to contribute. From what it sounds like, you aren't lighting the league on fire anyway, so just go out there and have a good time and do the little stuff right. before you know it, the rest of your game will follow, and you'll be back to your old form in no time. Last January I messed up my knee pretty good and couldn't even walk on it for 2 weeks. I certainly am not playing at a high level (beer leagues). When I came back my expectations of myself were way too high, and I was trying to do more than I was ready to do. I was overcompensating for the fact that I had missed a month and a half of hockey, and was rusty when I came back. When I got back to basics, I was able to contribute to the team on a regular basis as well as regain my strength and confidence. It took me about 3 months to really feel fully comfortable out there again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wolfpack_1986 154 Report post Posted January 17, 2008 Physically, I'm ok, i took plenty of time before I returned. My ankle does almost everything I ask of it. It's mainly mental, and i know it is. But i cant tell my self to barrel into the play, or to react faster. My first game i did focus on doing little things right and tried to brush off the bad stuff, and was generally happy with how i did. After the other night... it was just a train wreck. I was too timid to be functional. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DamnLocust 0 Report post Posted January 17, 2008 we've all had those craptacular games from time to time. there's gotta be some good to come out of it though. At the very least, you know that you got the "stinker" over with and can only go up from here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Done like dinner 0 Report post Posted January 17, 2008 yeah puck it, I know the feeling too. Be patient, your gonna be hesitant and it's natural -- it's how you keep yourself from getting reinjured but if you just keep suiting up it will fade. Keep telling yourself that. NHLers have a tough time getting back into the play after injuries too but you have the luxury of not having 18,000 fans paying your salary to see you go out there and put it on the line no matter what. Stay positive dude and it'll be an experience that helps you in more places than just on the ice. All the best. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wolfpack_1986 154 Report post Posted January 17, 2008 thanks all! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bill33 0 Report post Posted January 17, 2008 Hey Puckit. I know how you are feeling to. I broke my femur when I hit the wall awkard. I started skating after about 7 months. It felt very strange and weak for about the first 6 weeks and then it started coming back. Couldnt stop or shoot effectivly for awhile. I have been playing league for the last 3 months and can not skate hard to the corners for the puck. I have a mental block every time that I see them. It is very frustrating as nothing else gives me any problems and I play very aggressive and dont mind getting hit or blocking shots. I think only time will tell. At least your playing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Engine37 0 Report post Posted January 17, 2008 Lots of good advice from the other posters. I also have dealth with injuries, and one thing that really helped me was to stay 100% committed to my off-ice training stuff. Its not easy, but it helps to build strength and confidence, and will make you more resilient to future injuries.Best of luck gettin' your game back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
