When the National Hockey League (NHL) was founded in 1917, it was meant to be a place where players could improve their game and also entertain fans. Many people assume hockey is a game that boys play – and they would be right. However, there are many ways for women to get involved in the sport as well, and some of the ladies’ teams are even capable of giving the boys a run for their money! Here’s a look at how you can teach hustle in hockey.
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Look For The Signs Of Hustle
Just like in any other sport, hockey requires a lot of mental and physical energy to play at a high level. One of the best things you can do for your hockey-playing daughter or your own game is to look for signs of hustle. As she gets older, you can reinforce this behavior by giving her some extra praise whenever she shows initiative in the game. This will help her develop a sense of confidence and pride in herself, which will translate into her playing better overall.
Make Sure She Has The Right Equipment
Besides having a good hockey sense, a capable hockey player needs the right equipment to succeed. Aside from protective gear, your daughter will need a stick, a puck, and gloves to play. The length of the stick will determine how well she can maneuver the puck; the weight and the shape of the puck will affect how well she can shoot and pass it; and the thickness of the gloves will govern how well she can handle the puck when it’s on her end. You can also get her some hockey pants and a hockey top to complete the ensemble.
Start Early
While it’s never too early to start teaching your child how to be a good sport, it’s highly recommended that she start early. According to the National Institute of Sport (NIS), children who participate in organized sports before the age of six will have better hand-eye coordination and an increased interest in the sport later on. Your daughter will not only learn the fundamentals of hockey, but she will also learn how to work as a team, how to follow directions, and how to make the game more interesting for both of you. Plus, she will have fun while doing it!
Play In A League Affiliate
If your daughter is an organized hockey player, she will most likely participate in a league or an association with other affiliated teams. This is where she learns the rules of the game and develops her skills. If she doesn’t have a team near her, it’s still not too late to start one up. Most leagues have an opening for new teams, so she can join the fun and develop her game even further. Look into it!
Take Her To A Learning Center
If your daughter already plays in a league or an association, then she has the opportunity to attend classes at a hockey school. These classes will help her improve her hockey sense, coordination, hand-eye co-ordination, and speed. Some schools offer a special clinic for parents and players to work on their games together. This is a great way for you to spend some one-on-one time with your daughter and work on her game while having fun!
Reinforce Positive Behaviors
Just like in any other sport, good behavior in hockey can be rewarded with praise and positive reinforcement. On the other hand, bad behavior will result in a loss of privileges or even punishment. When your daughter earns these rewards, she will learn to value the positive aspects of the game and avoid acting out in negative ways. This will improve her self-image and help make her a better, more well-rounded person.
Show Her The Money Is In The Smarts
While the physical part of hockey is certainly enjoyable, the money is in the smarts. The NHL is a fairly profitable league, and a lot of that has to do with the fact that it is a much better business than it is a game. Some of the players are very, very talented, and many of them make a living off their skills. If you want your daughter to be able to compete at a higher level, then she will need to improve her game and become more intelligent about the sport. The ability to read the ice and see the open spaces will help her have more advantageous plays, and the ability to think three or four moves ahead will give her the edge she needs to win.
Teach Her The History Of The Game
As the mother of a hockey player, you have an opportunity to pass on valuable information to her. The more she knows about the history of the game, the better she will understand it and be able to play it better. There are several websites with tons of information about the game’s greats and the milestones that the sport has achieved. Be sure to share this information with your daughter so that she can get a sense of pride in her team’s achievements and be inspired to do her best.
Hockey is a very physical sport, and it requires a lot of determination and courage to get involved in it. However, it is very rewarding to watch your child develop these qualities and become a better person as a result.