Transitioning in to game situations...

[Arto-Style 0]

Let me start off by saying I've only played hockey for the past 3 years (beer league) and the league I play in is relatively competitive.

I am having trouble transitioning my game from stick time/skate about sessions to game decisions. For example, when I am just skating around at stick time or sticks and pucks, I feel fast and smooth. My shot is great and have no trouble stick handling, stopping, or changing directions. But lately when I have been in games or scrimmages I have been tensing up, missing passes, and had trouble changing directions. I think I'm a pretty good stick handler, but I've been having trouble it. For example I will beat 1 or 2 guys and than get trapped in a corner,or try to force a pass, or have the puck chipped off my stick.

It's not necessarily the speed of the game that I am having trouble with, I have a feeling it is just me tensing up and thinking too much. If you guys have any tips on how to make my game more solid, I'd very much appreciate it.

[wrangler 157]

Let me start off by saying I've only played hockey for the past 3 years (beer league) and the league I play in is relatively competitive.

I am having trouble transitioning my game from stick time/skate about sessions to game decisions. For example, when I am just skating around at stick time or sticks and pucks, I feel fast and smooth. My shot is great and have no trouble stick handling, stopping, or changing directions. But lately when I have been in games or scrimmages I have been tensing up, missing passes, and had trouble changing directions. I think I'm a pretty good stick handler, but I've been having trouble it. For example I will beat 1 or 2 guys and than get trapped in a corner,or try to force a pass, or have the puck chipped off my stick.

It's not necessarily the speed of the game that I am having trouble with, I have a feeling it is just me tensing up and thinking too much. If you guys have any tips on how to make my game more solid, I'd very much appreciate it.

It sounds like you might not be planning, or looking, quite far enough ahead. Keep your eyes open and head up, see where the next opposition can come from, and have a plan. Also plan an alternative, like a pass, so know where an open teammate is, or will be. If you're always thinking a move or two ahead, it's a lot easier to avoid painting yourself into a corner.

[Chadd 916]

Keep it simple and let the pressure go. It's no more important than stick time and it's not like you're going to get cut. Make simple plays and react to what happens around you. The only issue with thinking a move or two ahead is that you can lock yourself into something that the other team takes away. I'm fortunate that my ice awareness is pretty high. It's not really possible to explain how to be more aware, but knowing where people are and what they're doing will make your life easier.

[Thinkingjack 51]

you're not relaxed, have fun, you're paying in a league to have fun, do just that, thats the only way i can do it, the more fun you have and just keep your head up the more you enjoy it, its cool to be thinking of the next play but if you're putting too much pressure on yourself with everything then you're gonna kill it for yourself.

[chk hrd 164]

stick & puck is when you should be thinking, not during a game. Games are when you should be on autopilot letting your experience guide you. If you try and think to much during a game you get overwelmed by data because of how much is going on and how fast it's happening. When that happens you tense up and nothing works. As you play more and learn, things become easier and you start to see things better and can react earlier.

[MyBoxersSayJoe 133]

I've always been a different player in practice/scrimmages than I am in games. And they ask where the practice/scrimmage player is during the games. The difference for me mentally is that I'm just screwing around during practices/scrimmages and I'm not in a conservative mindset like I am in games.

[Arto-Style 0]

thanks for the replies guys. It just seems I've been tensing too much and being too worried about making the wrong play. It than just backfires and I end up giving the puck away. I guess I Just gotta learn when to beat a guy and when to pass. I choose the wrong thing too often. Like last nite I had a scrimmage and kept beating 1..2 guys and than getting trapped. Very frustrating. I keep delaying my shot and circling behind the net awswell. It will take time I guess..

[mug25 2]

I had (and sometimes still have) that same issue, just relax out there. Like Chadd said, not like you're going to get cut from the team. You're all out there to have fun and if you make a mistake, who cares? You're a beginner (a lot of us are). Have fun :D

BTW, what I've been doing to loosen up before games is listen to really chill music that relaxes me. They say that relaxing music helps you focus more, not just in work or school but in everyday life. I'm almost always relaxed and calm before games and when that happens I seem to play better and make less mistakes on the ice. That works for me, probably just in my head haha.

[wrangler 157]

Keep it simple and let the pressure go. It's no more important than stick time and it's not like you're going to get cut. Make simple plays and react to what happens around you. The only issue with thinking a move or two ahead is that you can lock yourself into something that the other team takes away. I'm fortunate that my ice awareness is pretty high. It's not really possible to explain how to be more aware, but knowing where people are and what they're doing will make your life easier.

I guess I should have been clearer about thinking ahead. I didn't mean locking in to a particular thing, but rather envisioning where opposition could come from, and considering reactions to various things they might do, and places they might skate. It's more like looking at the various possibilities that may eventuate, and having an idea how to avoid getting stuck, whatever happens. The farther you go, the more things may start to close in, and that's a clue that it's time to take a good shot, or pass to a teammate while he's still open, and the passing lane is still there. Hope that makes more sense.

[Chadd 916]

Like last nite I had a scrimmage and kept beating 1..2 guys and than getting trapped.

Sounds like you're trying to do it all yourself. You shouldn't be constantly trying to beat more than 1 or 2 guys. If the other team figures that out, they will just collapse on you and you'll never generate anything. I used to play with a guy that could only see the next guy he had to beat, this seems very similar.

[Arto-Style 0]

Sounds like you're trying to do it all yourself. You shouldn't be constantly trying to beat more than 1 or 2 guys. If the other team figures that out, they will just collapse on you and you'll never generate anything. I used to play with a guy that could only see the next guy he had to beat, this seems very similar.

Bingo. This is a problem for me. A lot of the people I play with (Clinic scrimmages) aren't very good at handling the puck, so most of the time I try to take it myself. I need to learn to pass in better situations. It's just the decisions of WHEN to beat a guy and WHEN to pass is what I have trouble with. But I guess this will come with time.

[shotty 7]

there's no pressure, offense or competition in stick & puck, so naturally you will perform better. also.. are you playing in full gear during the casual sessions?

[Arto-Style 0]

there's no pressure, offense or competition in stick & puck, so naturally you will perform better. also.. are you playing in full gear during the casual sessions?

I usually practice in full gear.

[wrangler 157]

Bingo. This is a problem for me. A lot of the people I play with (Clinic scrimmages) aren't very good at handling the puck, so most of the time I try to take it myself. I need to learn to pass in better situations. It's just the decisions of WHEN to beat a guy and WHEN to pass is what I have trouble with. But I guess this will come with time.

Maybe you want to pass sooner and more often so the other guys have a chance to get better at handling the puck. And the more you pass, the more they'll be motivated to break for open ice, for a good pass play. And it may help with your passing awareness, and your ability to pass quickly when necessary.