Getting your game back ?

[Eastcoaster 0]

Does anyone have any ideas as to what they have done to bring there game back ?

I have been playing for 29 years now and it seems lately that I have been playing crappy hockey. I don't know what I should do to try to revise the way I play lately? Is it me ? Is it my linemates ?

I am more of a skater than a dangler but I bust my ass out there and I am getting nothing out of it.

PLEASE help me MSHer's, what do I do next ? I have tried stripping the stick, changing laces, everything ?

I am sure that we have all gone through this, what have you done and has it worked ?

[saba 0]

Ride my bike alot. Gets me away from the game but keeps a good form going

Dropped my underwhelming beer league team

Started going to more pickup games with a higher level than I spent the season playing and played all over the ice instead of concentrating on just one position

Decided to stop giving a flying f%&&^ and just have fun do my best, accept my limitations, play to my strengths

[sickwilly 37]

Stretching more a while before the game (before going to the rink) has been helping me. Plus it calms me down a bit rather than revving me up.

[chk hrd 164]

maybe it's just time for a break. You never know what you are missing until it's gone.

[Shorthanded67 0]

I'm just now starting to gain my passion back. A few years ago I really got burnt out on playing due to a number of reasons. A couple severe facial injuries and playing 5-6 games a week were the main contributing factors. I took one complete year off from playing. For the last 2 years I've been playing once a week in a "28-and-over" league just going through the motions.

I've spent most of the past 2 years getting into cycling a bit and into a solid bodybuilding program. I bulked up from 145 to 185 and have become completely dialed in on a high protein low fat diet.

I still feel like I contribute in a positive way to a team but my talent is nowhere near where it used to be. Even though I'm only 32 years old I realize that my speediest days are behind me. My big problem is that I'm not a natural athlete and I have to CONSTANTLY work at something to be good at it. That's why I was at my best playing 5-7 times a week for 10 years.

Only now am I showing a spark again. I didn't realize how much new crap has come out since I lost interest in the sport. The last time I looked at hockey equipment, the Easton Stealth and Stealth Grip was the hot new OPS and Warrior was just getting rolling.

My advice is to take a small break from the game but stay active in other physical activities. Then go back and you'll be ready to go again. Guaranteed.

[junior 1]

I took a long break and lost my game as a result. I'm starting to get back into it and I found that conditioning is one of my weakest areas. Jump on the bike and do some off ice training.

[big ben 0]

I took 8 years off and have been steadily trying to get back into shape, running, just free skating, etc. I'll still do stick and puck here and there but i need to get my core and endurance back up before anything.

[farhanshak 1]

i had this same problem...i was jumping from team to team and stopped caring pretty much.

what fixed it?

i started to have fun no matter what team i was playing for and just enjoyed it. also i got back in shape which i stopped caring about as well when i was jumping from team to team.

so yah, getting in shape and having fun no matter what the case is what helped the most. i found that when i got too serious and stopped smiling and joking around i performed horribly and was just going through the motions.

now i am back to my 1 or 2 point per game stats and loving every second on the ice. if i dont get any points, ah well, i am still having fun right :D

you have to remember, that at the end of the day, we are all just a bunch of kids playing a game. (got that from a hockey night in canada intro and it made so much sense lol)

[Speedz98 15]

Try having some one video tape you while you play so you can see your self and what your doing from another perspective. You'll probally find some things you don't like and will have the chance to improve.

[Sed27 0]

I'm going through a similar situation to that of the Eastcoaster this season. For whatever reason, I feel like I have just gotten worse this year. My hockey sense, positioning, and timing have all been off.

We had our 11:00pm game cancelled last night, but still had the option to use the ice however we wished as there was not enough time to reschedule.

I headed down to the rink and ended up shooting pucks and working on some fundammentals for well over a hour. There were only three of us, but I can't tell you how good it felt to be there outside of a game situation. Genenerally we only get between 3 to 6 minutes for pre game warmups, so it is often difficult to get a good feel for the puck.

That little impropmtu practice was not only great for reducing stress from the week, but went a long way to helping me see the ice better and clearing my mind. I fully recommend trying to find some stick and puck time to get back to the basics.

[gxc999 7]

The best advice I can give is to have fun. When it stops being any fun, you should take a break.

[shifter 0]

The best advice I can give is to have fun. When it stops being any fun, you should take a break.

+1 and what really helps me make hockey fun again was just enjoy the game and relax myself. From the smell of the rink to watching others play hockey, hockey is one of a kind sport :D. Another reason is the group of guys you play with all season they are there for you and from the funny jokes in the change room to a successful winning game its just amazing!

[Kevin 5]

OP--How old are you?

I am 38 and although in good shape, I have lost a step that is never coming back. I am adjusting by moving from A level to B level men's league. Like you, I was never a dangler, but was always one of the faster skaters on the ice.

[Eastcoaster 0]

I am only 34, most of the guys I play with are around the same age.

I thank you all for the posts, they are amazingly helpful and I really apreciate the great advice, I knew you all would be able to help me, I have a game this Wednesday night, I will let you know how it goes.

Who knows, I may even pot one for you all

[legiahockey 3]

when im loosing the "grove" i remind myself to just laugh at my mistakes...and laughing at others and just having more fun. and then i hit up youtube and watch a bunch of highlight vids. pumps me up to try new things and reminds me why i love being on the ice

[kovyperron5727 0]

and then i hit up youtube and watch a bunch of highlight vids. pumps me up to try new things and reminds me why i love being on the ice

+1 to the youtube vids. I usually watch Kovalev,Perron, Hemsky or Grabovski vids because they play the same style game as me and they are sooo fun to watch and put me in the mood to play

[Jarick 5]

I pick a couple things I want to work on, go over them in my head over and over, and then try and execute on the ice. I figure I'll slowly make progress that way.

[Eastcoaster 0]

Well folks , IT WORKED !!!

I played Hard and skated my ass off, 1 Goal and 1 assist later I was smiling from ear to ear. I even set up 2 beautiful plays that didn't turn into goals, what did I do ? Just laughed and skated away.

In the end we lost by a goal but the victory goes to me, I for the first time in a while had fun out there and did what I do best.

Thanks MSHER'S I owe you one !

[sickwilly 37]

Glad you're loving the game!