I'm in a slump

[Rink Rat 0]

This is kind of a complicated problem, and I don't think I need to be posting this but it might motivate me more, planning for success always seems to help.

I am a sophomore in high school playing for my high school's varsity team, and let me say that we are not the best but we're not the worst. The season is coming to a close and I am definitely not satisfied. My performance has varied greatly throughout the season from terrible to great. When the season first began I was placed on the second line briefly until we added another player, then I was on the third. I was ok with this decision, because I thought I would stay there.

I was playing pretty good, then I was 10 minutes late for a practice because I wanted to get a haircut (bad idea). My coach told me that for punishment he would sit me for a period. I thought "well fine, after the first period I'll be back up there". I was wrong, a junior 4th liner stepped up for that period (he is very hardworking and enthusiastic, but not the most skilled) and stayed there. He did get a couple chip in goals after this, but I didn't see a reason to keep me down on the 4th.

After this I started performing very poorly in practice and I wasn't sure why. I thought it was because I was deprived of sleep (being a student-athlete can be tough). So after a good weekend of sleep and a school-less day I did amazing in practice, and it was around this time two of my coaches told me that I had skill, I was the biggest and the fastest and that next year I will need to step up and score some goals, maybe that gave me confidence, but at the time I was even more convinced that it was because of sleep issues. Then the opposite happened, poor performance during practice over a mid-winter break. I also thought it could be bad diet, it's hard to drink a lot of water and get three good meals in a day.

Now that the story is out of the way, I'll fill in some details. One of the main reasons of poor performance is the fact that my hands suck. I might lose the puck skating up the ice with no pressure, but it's funny because sometimes I'll be able to make moves to get around our best D-men. I don't understand stick handling, if I'm standing stationary I can't stick handle for my life, it just feels like the puck is too heavy to move smoothly, and I'm not weak so that's not the problem. Aside from that, sometimes I just won't have my legs that day. I'll stumble, skate awkwardly and slower than usual, I just don't know why.

I think it might be a confidence issue, as stated earlier I did a lot better when my coaches personally addressed my skills, and when I was a 4th line grunt I sucked.

I praise you if you've read all of this, if so, do you guys think it's a psychological, physical, dietary, or some other problem? Any type of input is appreciated.

[usahockey22 0]

I think it might be a confidence issue, as stated earlier I did a lot better when my coaches personally addressed my skills, and when I was a 4th line grunt I sucked.

It sounds to me like this is a confidence/psychological issue as well. Assuming that your physical training has remained consistent throughout these ups and downs, the logical explanation is that something is going on with you mentally. Getting more sleep in itself can help mental, as well as physical performance.

To start off, I'd recommend reading the book "Hockey Tough":

http://www.amazon.com/Hockey-Tough-Saul-Mi...7366&sr=8-1

After reading this, or in addition to it, you could seek the help of a sports psychologist, if you have the means.

[Fire0nIce228 1]

I agree, sounds mental. Check out the book and just try to be loose. Easier said than done especially when poor performance is on your mind but just do your best to block it. Maybe try to pre occupy yourself before games/practice if your overthinking before the ice session. Another alternative route would be to just try to go to some stick and pucks and have a little fun 'messing around' on the ice with no pressure and see if you find your skating/stickhandling to be smoother in a stress free ice session or two. Perhaps that will reinforce 'hey, i am big, i am fast, i can shoot and i can score. i am a beast.' Good luck!

[kin1013 0]

I do agree, it mental too.. but what I think you are missing is the focus in the game!! When you are focus you can do more, when u don't you do less.

and I also think that you are missing your basic skills, you don't handle the puck standing still telling me that you don't work on the basics, coz handling the puck in the beginning always starts with stationary or standing around. So focus on the basic skills about stick handling, and you will be much better!!

Find a golf ball, tennis ball or whatever balls to work on off ice, and find some youtube about stickhandling you will be much better off! I like the stuff from stickhandling.com, you can check out the crazy skinner!!

[Rink Rat 0]

Thanks guys, I'm going to start trying to be more confident. Also, I'll look into the skinner videos so I can re-learn the basics.

[shotty 7]

visualize. if you have skill, visualization will harness your abilities and allow you to execute.

I find that I'm in the zone when I know what I'm going to do in any situation before it happens. with hockey there are so many variables to REALLY "know", but the visualization puts you into a state of confidence.

[BenderHockey 127]

visualize. if you have skill, visualization will harness your abilities and allow you to execute.

I find that I'm in the zone when I know what I'm going to do in any situation before it happens. with hockey there are so many variables to REALLY "know", but the visualization puts you into a state of confidence.

I agree. Before important games, or even if I'm on a bit of a schnied, I'll sit on the bench while the zamboni is cutting the ice and visualize making good passes, scoring big goals, or in your case, just skating up the ice with the puck. Just put your head down, close your eyes, and block everything else out.

It has worked pretty well for me in the past.

[BobbyD9 0]

People who describe fatigue and sleeplessness can also be suffering from sleep apnea. You may want to consult with a doctor who is a sleep specialist (usually a pulmonologist). With proper treatment I regained my lost energy and feel great. Best of luck!

[Hordie Gowe 17]

If all else fails you can always resort to what Mark Grace (former MLB player) calls the "Slumpbuster".

[B19Kress 0]

If all else fails you can always resort to what Mark Grace (former MLB player) calls the "Slumpbuster".

That was going to be my suggestion also

[pody37 3]

Try not to focus on the fact that your slumping. If you go into games and practices with that in your mind it will affect your performance.

Take a few minutes to yourself and tell yourself how good you are. Like you say you're big, strong and fast. Focus on that and the rest will follow.

I find slumps stay around a lot longer when you focus on the negatives.

Just go into every session (including practice at home) in a positive mindframe about your talent.

Good luck!

[Dubbs 0]

A couple months back I was struggling scoring, now I'm not a big guy, so I pretty much just rely on speed and positioning to get myself opportunities, when I was more worried about scoring I started to press more, ended up getting out of position and chasing the puck around, and when I did get in a position to shoot, I'd be trying to take a perfect shot, a lot of times resulting in a shot high or wide, or squarely into the goalie's chest. I like the visualization idea that a couple people have mentioned, but I like using it at a very basic level. Picture yourself being in the right position, where you should be when the puck is down low in your zone (i mainly thought about it in a defensive sense, I'm of the "good defense leads to offense" school of thought). Once I started putting myself in better positions I started getting the puck more by making good defensive plays, gaining a little bit of confidence, then started to make better passes again(mostly outlet passes out of the zone, occassionally the long pass to spring someone). All that gave me a little more confidence to carry the puck offensively, try making more difficult passes and creating opportunities for myself.

In short (i know a little late for that), concentrating on playing good fundamental defensive hockey helped me build confidence and helped my game all around. Plus coaches never complain about playing good defense.

Stay positive, good luck.

[furlanitalia 1]

Can't stress the visualization and positive thinking enough. Get out of your head and just enjoy it. Last night I played solid defensively but was extremely disappointed with my play because I didn't feel I got a great start to the game. It was in my head all game and I had a hard time staying focused. Just don't let the little things get to you and remember each shift is a new one.

You could also try listening to these:

http://www.puckmasters.com/page/show/16068...eparation-tools

Each one is about 20 minutes long and there is one for forwards, defence and goalies. After you listen to the top one you can pick specific chapters below, but listen to the longest one first.

[tareatingrat 4]

I don't know if it's very realistic, but when I'm in a slump and nothing is working, I just stop with hockey for a couple of days. Won't watch it, play it, or read about it. I'll try not to think about it much, either.

Come back after a couple days off, and seem to do well. Sometimes I just think about and play hockey so much I get burnt-out. The moment I don't look forward to picking up a stick, I take a few days off.

Not sure if you can do that in your situation.

[epstud74 24]

Sounds like your coach is not the best motivator either

[sitzlejd 0]

I was in a slump and didn't score for like three games (I'm usally good for at least a goal a game). It wasn't just not scoring, I sucked all over the ice. Had a week off and now I've scored hat tricks in my last two games and played really well all over. These things ebb and flow. If you continue to work hard on the ice things will turn around. I'd say just focus on the little things and good things will happen for you.

[usahockey22 0]

Just want to restate the value of that book "Hockey Tough" that I recommended earlier...visualization, confidence boosting techniques, breathing techniques, and much much more are all covered in this book, written by an NHL team psychologist. I'd highly recommend it to the OP and any other hockey players, or just any athlete in general who needs to work on the mental game.

[gxc999 7]

It's all about confidence, sometimes you've gotta fake it 'til you make it.

[Rink Rat 0]

Update:

I got a hold of Skinner Hockey for stick handling, and I've started to appreciate my current skills so I can improve what's lacking.

I did notice that when I take breaks I do better, and since I am about to start lacrosse it should help. I can recall last season when I took like a month off, came back and dangled one of our top D-men (WOW) and scored on our state ranked goalie. The summer after (~2 months later) my coach finally recognized my skill (before that was my freshman year and he personally told me he saw me to become an elite penalty killer).

This topic might die, but I'll continue posting updates I guess. My team just won the a regional title for Michigan division 1, but we're about to lose to Detroit Catholic Central next Wednesday, I might actually have to play then because we're going to be out 2 of our best players.

[kovyperron5727 0]

Its all in the head dude.. Imagine yourself getting opportunities and capitilizing, if you can get around defenseman on your team like you said then theres no reason why you cant do it in games.. Quit overfocusing on your mistakes, just have fun with it and go out and be the best you can be.

PS, dont believe your in a slump. Keep your mindset positive and shut the idea of failure out

Also focus on what you do/did well. I had to quit competitive hockey because of my back(I played varsity too) and on Friday one of my buddies wanted to know if i can fill in for his pickup team. Needless to say i was nervous since I havent played in a game environment in about a year. The first 10 min I stunk, then I got the puck and with out even thinking I pulled a nasty dangle on a D and went in to score. Thats all it took, and from then on I played great and buried like 5 more. Me pulling that move early boosted my confidence and ended my intial tentativeness, and as a result I played well.. So focus on good things you did and use them to boost your confidence and youll be sucessful

[sitzlejd 0]

Update:

I got a hold of Skinner Hockey for stick handling, and I've started to appreciate my current skills so I can improve what's lacking.

I did notice that when I take breaks I do better, and since I am about to start lacrosse it should help. I can recall last season when I took like a month off, came back and dangled one of our top D-men (WOW) and scored on our state ranked goalie. The summer after (~2 months later) my coach finally recognized my skill (before that was my freshman year and he personally told me he saw me to become an elite penalty killer).

This topic might die, but I'll continue posting updates I guess. My team just won the a regional title for Michigan division 1, but we're about to lose to Detroit Catholic Central next Wednesday, I might actually have to play then because we're going to be out 2 of our best players.

Lol. Where's the confidence???

[Dubbs 0]

This topic might die, but I'll continue posting updates I guess. My team just won the a regional title for Michigan division 1, but we're about to beat Detroit Catholic Central next Wednesday, I WILL play then and show why we don't need 2 of our "best" players.

Fixed.

[furlanitalia 1]

Nice work Dubbs. Rink Rat you can't underestimate the power of positive thinking. Don't make the decision for yourself in advance that you're going to do bad. This whole board knows you can play well, and you need to tell yourself that. Get out of your head, enjoy the game, and have fun out there.

[kovyperron5727 0]

Fixed.

This. Awesome correction Dubbs! Read the last two posts, that is great stuff. Also your a sophmore on varsity, so you're obviously good

[regsharp 4]

Rink Rat--

Good luck in your game tonight. You obviously know how to play, or you wouldn't be there as a sophomore....Don't count your team out before it's played, otherwise why bother playing? Your team has won the games it's needed to in order to be there tonight. So, as a team, go out there and skate hard, play smart, and have fun! Take away their time and space and you just might take them off their game. Control what you can...effort and attitude.

Let us know how it went. We're all pulling for you!!