How do I start taking control?

[Rink Rat 0]

Here's the deal, I'm a sophomore and on the 3rd/2nd line of my varsity high school team. I've always been told that I have potential, but I am so inconsistent. Sometimes I'll make an amazing play, and sometimes I'll just totally screw everything up. Sometimes I will feel full of energy and ready to out-skate anyone, and other times I feel slower than usual. I am one of the fastest (running and skating) on the team and also the biggest (6'3" 200), but my stickhandling lacks. I think I have the skill to do a lot more than I do but my head is holding me back. I need to know how I can get my head in the game and stay consistent (physically and mentally) so I can take control of the play, I really want to go past high school hockey, but I don't know how far.

That may not make sense, but any input is appreciated. :D

[dumbpolak9 1]

Think of a warm up routine. before games I usually go out do some stretches then high knees, butt kicks, and a couple short sprints. This warms me up before the ice so on ice you dont have to do as much stretching. I noticed that when I listen to music I tend to do worse then with out. So give that a shot. Since your a big kid use your body to the advantage, hit and gain possession.

[Chadd 916]

Don't think. Just go out and give everything you have on every shift. If you need to work on your hands, get practicing. They won't get better without practice. Nobody is at 100% every day either. When you don't feel right physically, make sure you are giving everything you have.

[Law Goalie 147]

Some of this is just natural. You're relatively young and relatively huge, which means you're growing fast, and you're going to be relatively uncoordinated. Now's a very good time to be building your aerobic and anaerobic capacities - lots of long-distance running and biking, and lots of brief, chaotic and high-intensity skating drills on the ice. This is the stuff that will keep you consistent later on.

Every big-bodied hockey player has gone through what you're going through. As you pass your peak height velocity (ie. 'growth spurt'), your coordination will start to come back naturally. Don't sweat the momentary lapses; just laugh them off as perfectly natural goofs, and don't be surprised by them.

[sickwilly 37]

Keep working hard and don't be afraid of making mistakes (even pros make 'em). When you do, try to learn from them rather than beating yourself up over them. You'll play a lot less well if you are worrying/anxious. Do you think that may be part of what is making you lose focus/feel off at times? With your size, you can make a lot of things by driving to the net banging in rebounds, clearing space, getting tip-ins... even if you aren't a great stickhandler.

If you work as hard as you can and still having fun, things should work out well. I agree with the others that the coordination should come along with time and hard work.

[chk hrd 164]

both of the above is good solid advice. One key to stick handling is to be loose. You can't stick handle if you are stressed out because it causes everything to stiffen up and you start gripping the stick to tight, which is always bad. I am always telling the younger players that hockey is to fast a game to try and over think it. If you been playing long enough you should be on autopilot and do things without thinking. Practice on and off the ice as much as you can. When you are playing stay relaxed, don't beat yourself up for every little thing. Start working on your self confidence and alot of good things will happen naturaly.

[NYRSinceBirth 0]

It's been covered pretty well, but "don't think" is about as simple as it gets. Don't hop the boards telling yourself you have to make something happen or expecting to do something. Relax, focus, and just play.

One thing I used to do for football is take a quick look at the crowd or any spectators if it's a game. Try to pick people out, recognize someone, find a cutie, or just look around for a second. It always seemed to either A) pump me up B) takes your mind off the game for a second. Don't go day dreaming, but when you take your mind out of it for a quick second and you come back, you have to react (Get on the ice) using instincts not predispositions.

There's a difference between keeping your head in the game and over thinking. You can glance off for a moment and still be in the game. If you feel like you're just going through the motions it's just an off day. Everyone gets those. Just keep it simple and get through it. But if you feel yourself over thinking take a step back.

Oh, and practice, you're young, big, and fast, all pluses last time I checked. Just keep at it.

[thejackal 46]

It's all about putting the time in off-ice. I was in the same boat as you more or less in high school. after I stopped playing varsity and moved to california, all I did was to practice shooting and stickhandling in my garage because I couldnt get on the ice at all for a whole winter. lo and behold my stickhandling and accuracy become a lot better.

[chippa13 1844]

Look into your diet and sleeping patterns, that could be one source of your inconsistency. On the days where you feel on the ball you've probably had a good night's sleep the night before and you ate better meals that day and the day before. The days where you feel sluggish are probably those where you didn't get good rest and/or ate like crap. Rest and diet are probably the most overlooked items of young players.

[All Torhs Team 0]

Seriously just pick up a USA Hockey magazine. They'll usually have some sort of article with pre-game ideas and pointers.

Not to mention pointers from the pro's that could help your game.