Slowing it down...

[PH_Hockey2 4]

Sometimes when im on the ice it seems like I take things in too fast when im playing hockey. This then causes me to do stupid things we all dont want to do like miss a pass and whif on a puck. I was wonderimg how some of you guys slow down the game and keep so calm while playing hockey.

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

Heads up, take your time with the puck.

[MDE3 0]

If the opposition will cooperate..... B)

Best thing to do is make sure you practice at game speed or if possible even a higher tempo, when at team practices...Use private time to work on building your slills, starting with a slower pace and working up to your maximum, to be sure you get the techniques right.

If you are in mid season playing travel/rep hockey....try to stay away from open hockey, as that will dull your reactions, and lull you into a false sense of security, because it is usually played at a much slower and less aggressive pace. Turning the "switch" back on in a competitive league game may turn out to be difficult after playing some happy go lucky in-house open hockey. At least make sure you have some serious up tempo practice between your open hockey sessions and any competitive league stuff.

[mik3 1]

BINGO, try to play against higher competition whenever you can. I've learned if I go play open hockey I sit back and become "open hockey superstar" sometimes, then I go into game situations and it takes me half a period to switch back to serious play.

One thing I've learned that personally helps me keep my head straight is chewing gum while I play. It's rhythmic and keeps me calm. Before I started chewing gum I'd be one of those guys that'd "shoot his load" his first two-three shifts playing like a wild man. Now I play a little more reserved.

[2048 0]

Start sucking, the slower your hands and the slower your feet, the slower you'll play.

Just kidding. Stop thinking so much and just play the game. You're probably worrying too much about screwing up instead of just playing your game and making the right, calm decision. That isn't to say that a fast no-look twitch pass isn't the right move sometimes, just that it doesn't have to be the only move; you usually have more time than you think.

[CaseyJones_86 0]

it's mostly a matter of staying relaxed and having confidence in your ability. also don't be afraid to make mistakes and you should be fine, thats a big one.

[all-star 0]

when you get the puck dont go right into the offensive zone, circle back into your end, find a good pass, or skate it up. slow everything down till your comfortable with it.

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

Like Casey said, don't be afraid to make mistakesss.

If you take your time with the puck you will see that you have a lot more time than you think. I think open hockey is good because if you are able too play smooth and to calm the game, you should be able in your league.

[rjdlucky 0]

I agree. Work on your skills. Quicker release on shots, making crisp passes, etc. You will be more confident in your abilities and your decision making will improve.

[MDE3 0]

I think open hockey is good because if you are able too play smooth and to calm the game, you should be able in your league.

LOl...I watch guys who have been consistantly dominant in their pro inline league, look totally lost after playing a few in house games with weak competition, for maybe the first half to two thirds of their next "pro" game, if they have not had a wake up call from a good hard practice.....This is true right up to the zenith of the sport....

That does not mean that you cannot play with your head up or calmly, but when you go to the next level, everything happens so much faster.....you need to be calm at higher speeds.....and in sync with the pace. You will not necessarily be given the space or the time to "play at your own(slower) pace"...at least not against any team I would be coaching lol. So you need to be ready for the pace the game may bring...it will not just be left up to you to dictate this.

That calmness and self confidence only comes from pushing yourself to the limits against tough competition or from doing high pace drills. How many times have you seen a player who looks awsome in practice(when half the team is "dogging it"), look useless in a game situation...simply because of the pressure involved.

Always try to put pressure on yourself in practice, even though you may need to start slow and build up to your max...even when practicing by yourself. This is what translates to calmness and confidence when the going get's tougher in the pressure cooker of competition. That's because you already know what you can accomplish. When your own pace has become faster than the game pace..then everything looks like it is happening in slow motion, and now you can truly control things.

[chippa13 1844]

Sounds to me like he's got a good case of "happy hands". You just need to relax and have confidence in your ability. Try not to worry so much about making mistakes but keep in your mind thoughts of making the right play. Visualization is a good mental exercise for this. Before your games, imagine yourself in situations and making the right plays. You'll be surprised how well it works.

[Hockeyman9621 0]

It's all about confidence, if you have confidence in your game, you should be able to relax and be able to look up ice without being afraid of being hit or something. Anticipate what you are going to do before the puck comes to you. The shift gets a lot easier when you know how your line mates are going to play.

[asdfa 0]

find a pregame routine that gets you to concentrate on the game, and use it to get confident about your abilites, once you get on the ice, you should be focused on what your job is and be confident about your abilities as a player.

[LarrieNation9 0]

smile, have fun out there when your playing. You make a mistake smile because you know you can make the play. A little bit of cockiness or arrogance sometimes can even calm you down. If you've ever seen the movie Any Given Sunday a WR for the team before a game sits in his stall and just repeats "Im the best there ever was" and things like that. I wouldnt say you have to say that but something to get you motivated. Whenever I'm playing a good team in warm ups I like to get a grin on my face knowing I'll give them hell lol.

[SB39 2]

MDE3 pretty much said it. You sound unconfident with your game, and it sounds like you could be well served to get in better shape, or smoke weed before games...(probably not). Being faster and stronger, especially relative to the competition, will naturally calm those nerves a lot. It helps to do teh right visualization before and during the games. I learned this from friends of mine that are fighters, where it is even more curcial. Before and during teh games, visualize your team and you especially dictating the pace and style of play, playing your game, and what you are going to do the the other team, instead of trying to adapt to what they do, which is passive and will lose you most games.

[Cavs019 708]

It's all about confidence, if you have confidence in your game, you should be able to relax and be able to look up ice without being afraid of being hit or something. Anticipate what you are going to do before the puck comes to you. The shift gets a lot easier when you know how your line mates are going to play.

He hit it right on the nose. People used to call me the "best practice player they ever saw" because i was so loose and just went out and played, but in games I would be very tense. Once I gained confidence in my abilities, there was no drop of between games and practices, and everything just seemed that much more in control.

[troybruins89 0]

It's all about confidence, if you have confidence in your game, you should be able to relax and be able to look up ice without being afraid of being hit or something. Anticipate  what you are going to do before the puck comes to you. The shift gets a lot easier when you know how your line mates are going to play.

He hit it right on the nose. People used to call me the "best practice player they ever saw" because i was so loose and just went out and played, but in games I would be very tense. Once I gained confidence in my abilities, there was no drop of between games and practices, and everything just seemed that much more in control.

I'm slowly easing out of the same situation. I do great in practice and no one can stop me but in games I dont put up the numbers that is expected of me because I'm so tense. The last few weeks i've been doing a lot better with the situation and gaining a lot of confidence. Hockeyman is right, its all about confidence. The more confidence you have on the ice will lead to much better play and will enable you to play at a faster pace.

[Dan_The_Man_16 0]

I feel the same way. The pressure of a game kills me. I guess it's because I used to be really terrible, and have since grown into my body and just gotten alot better overall. I just don't have the confidence That most guys do.

[EndBoards 0]

I'm a fairly new player (2 years) and I play in a mixed skill level league so I have the same problem. It's pretty tough to settle down and do what I can when I've got an Ex-Div 1 player defending me..

On a couple of occasions though, I've been able to carry the puck down the ice and make some plays... When I look back on those instances, I can think of a few things that I did every time..

1) I remember not thinking about what I was doing - just reacting to the play..

2) I had my head up and the puck way out in front of me. I'm usually so concerned about losing the puck that I start at it and skate straight at a defender and make it easy for him to cut me off and/or take the puck away.

3) Simplify your stickhandling. If you're skating straight ahead, you don't need to tic-tac the puck on your stick that much. Maybe one touch for each stride that you take with your skate. Obviously in turns you'll have to manipulate the puck a little more, but the less you bump the puck around the smoother, faster, and more confident you'll be..

4) Keep driving with your skates. Seeing "D" players on the ice with "A" players has taught me lots of things - one of the biggest things I've noticed is that the good players are always skating hard. The lower end guys will start to coast when they approach the puck. It's like they can skate, shoot, pass, or stickhandle but they can't do more than one of those things at a time...

[Borsch 0]

For me it's about 90% about how quickly your head is up when you do get the puck. and the ability to swivel your head about without looking down at the puck and tensing up afraid of losing control. Cause once you do look down its PANIC STATIONS! lol:D

[MDE3 0]

Prioritize your skill development...work on the heads up stick handling practice at home...learn to divorce your eyes from the puck for stickhandling. Work on explosive starts, rapid stops from full speed, hard power turns, everything that helps you create open space faster than your opponent. With these basics in place, now you can really take advantage of your new heads up ability, which you can learn away from the rink.

Keep it simple with the stick handling....no need to play with the puck when you are just trying to get from A to B as quickly as possible when you have open ice(as was pointed out above). Make sure you can pass and shoot with your head up...

Get good with these fundamentals and the more sophisticated stuff can come over time.....

[Chadd 916]

I prefer to pass in most situations so I find I have more patience waiting for a seasm to develop than I do if I'm trying to make a play myself. Because I usually have a very good idea where the passing lanes are and where my players are, that part of the game feels "slowed down" to me. Overall awareness can help your comfort level a lot. Adding in improved skills makes it even easier as you have more options.

[mickz 107]

Look before you shoot/pass. Make sure a teammate is ready to receive the pass first. You don't wanna just shovel the puck 10 feet ahead of him with your head down.

[Chadd 916]

Look before you shoot/pass.  Make sure a teammate is ready to receive the pass first.  You don't wanna just shovel the puck 10 feet ahead of him with your head down.

You should already know where he is. Look before you get the puck, grab another quick glance around the rink and make a play. Just make sure you keep your feet moving.

Head for open spaces, carry the puck where there isn't a defensive presence. Time and space are your friend.

[biff44 0]

The pros practice the basics over and over again. What does Tiger Woods do every morning, practice his swing. Does he need to, isn't it just about perfect? He needs to keep practicing so that when the PRESSURE is on (like 5000 people watching him putt), he does not have to think about swinging the club right, he just does it without thinking.

Same with hockey. If you do not have the basics down to the point where you can do them in your sleep, then when the pressure hits, you will not be looking good. Stickhandle, skate, look around, shoot, have to practice every day!