Visualization

[JR97 2]

Anybody do any meditation/visualization?

I took 2 years off from hockey and it's been hard going trying to get it back. Not as easy as when I was in my 20's. Anywho, last week I was in a situation where I took a pass at the top of the circle and hesitated while looking to see if anyone was in a scoring position. Then I tried skating in through a couple of guys between the circles and by that time one of the high forwards got on me.

Being upset with my hesitation, I spent a lot of time this week visualizing what I should have done. Last night I ended up in a similar sitatuion when I intercepted a clearing pass. But this time I took it right to the hole splitting the D and ripped one top shelf. I was totally suprised at how I just reacted to the play without thinking about it.

So suffice it to say, visualizing certain situations is going to be part of my mental preperation from now on. Heaven knows I've got enough holes in my game to work on.

[DBLMINR 0]

i play with a guy that does that stuff, he's pretty good so maybe it works

[Archangel#16 1]

I sometimes visualize what I want to do before game. Those games I end up playing horrible. So now my policy is to make things up when the time comes. It's kinda cool to see what you can come up with.

[Aussie Joe 0]

I always run through the game I just played that night as Im trying to fall asleep. I just de bunk all the bad moves and relive all the good ones. Its important to reply the failed moves and learn from them, it means you are trying to lock in place the right pre planned moves so that you react and move quicker whilst on the ice.

[lampliter87 8]

I visualize myself making good position related plays on the bus ride to the game and once Im dressed immediately beforehand. I try to focus on making smart plays and whatever Ive been working on in practice that week.

[McDougalfaschnitzer 32]

I always do. I usually go over different situations in my head, and do a little bit of breathing exercise too.

[JR97 2]

The weird part for me is that I rarely remember the details of the good plays. Like the aforementioned goal in my first post. I have no idea what actually happened other than splitting the D and the ping of hitting the post. I don't recall what moves I used to split the D or which foot I shot off of. I guess that's the zone?

(Un)Fortunately, I recall all of the bad ones in great detail.

[McDougalfaschnitzer 32]

A lot of times I don't remember the specific things I did on the ice, but the key to getting into a good rhythm of play is to look at what you did to prepare yourself for a game where you think you played well, and try to repeat it. What you ate, what you did before the game, etc.

Visualizing doesn't have to be something you have done. You can just think of situations and how you would like to react to them.

[Fire0nIce228 1]

Coach in highschool would always calm us down 10 minutes before the game and tell us to focus on the first hit, first shot, first goal etc.

We lost all but 3 games so its your call :)

[oggy_3 0]

I find if i am playing D i have to calm myself down and think of the game going over plays and not talking to anyone, the minute my concentration is broken i do not play well. Problem is the team i am on this year, we know most local teams we kill so it is nearly impossible with everyone playing around before the game. Now if i play forward i have to get all energized and not worry about plays and then i play fine. But Forward i am a crasher and Banger but on D a defensive defencemen who has to be reliable.

[JR97 2]

^^^^^

very interesting. I'll have to keep that in mind.

There was one season I switched from forward to D a lot. sometimes mid game. My worst season ever. I never felt comfortable in either position some games.

[oggy_3 0]

Yeah i know the struggle, this is my 4th season in a row doing it. Does help making a team when you are the only one who can switch back and forth those.

[Engine37 0]

I've found mental practice/visualization can really help improve my game. You have to be careful so that you don't start over-thinking things and hesitating, but sometimes if I've got the time to daydream or before I go to bed at night, I visualize whatever it is I want to accomplish in my next game. If I miss the goal on a scoring chance, I visualize (in super super slow motion) exactly what I want to do next time around. I've been able to make substantial improvements in my game by just mentally "practicing" the different aspects of the game. I think that the brain is just like anything else in hockey in that the best way to improve your mental game is to practice.

If any of you get a chance, I strongly recommend reading the book "Hockey Tough". It covers a lot of the mental side of the game, talks a lot about visualization, and while it's a little repetitive, it has a lot of really great advice...and the stories about NHL players in it are cool too.

[BigDipper 0]

When I was younger I used to practice this technique constantly. As I got older and into junior I found that it hindered me more than anything. I talked to some coaches and older pro players I would train with and they all said this to me. The "art" of visualizing is commonly mistaken. Reason being is that when you're visualizing in essence you are actually focusing on the game, clearing your mind and zoning in on the game. I found that certain "plays" and "situations" I would picture, would actually hinder me. I would almost get nervous when that time would happen. I always found that a clear mind is the best solution. Just being relaxed and not worrying or thinking about anything else is the way to go. But...that's just me.

[Konig von Kuhlem 0]

"Hockey Tough" is a good read, but sometimes a bit overdone with stuff about the self-talk and energy flow.

I've found that by watching videos of players doing amazing moves and also trying to predict where the play is going to go while watching games, I've really improved. I try to break down the moves on the videos into their details and visualize how I can perform it. This works for detail-oriented thinkers, whereas some others who "see the whole picture" may not benifit from analyzing all the details. Follow that up with actually practicing (a lot) what you visualized and it will eventually become automatic.

That said, in a game I just try to relax, not think too much and let the practice payoff.