Some kids dream of playing in the NHL. While many will aspire to play in the NHL, not all talented hockey players will make it to the big time. There are various reasons as to why some players succeed in their endeavors and others do not. One of the major differences in the quality of players is due to their training. Regardless of whether you’re playing in an arena or on a pond in your backyard, your hockey skills will determine how far you can go in the game. This article will discuss what aspects of your game coaches may evaluate and how you can improve your performance at camp to earn a spot on the next hockey team.
Table of Contents
Learn The Hints And Tricks
No one is an expert in every subject and many talented hockey players have learned the hard way that not everything is instinctive. Your hockey coaches are trained observers who have seen and assessed thousands of hockey players over the years and they can teach you a huge amount if you want to improve your game. During your tryout, the coaches will point out things they have noticed about your game and give you tips on how to become a better player. For instance, they may suggest you work on your skating as it could be your weakest skill. They may also note that you frequently tuck your head when you pass the puck and that you need to learn to keep your head up. Additionally, they might notice that you rarely shoot the puck and that you could improve your accuracy significantly if you worked at it a little bit.
Don’t Forget About The Mental Side Of Hockey
One of the reasons why some kids are better than others at sports is due to their mental training. Some players are truly gifted in this area and they can quickly learn new strategies and techniques which can make a drastic difference in their game. During your hockey tryout, you will be tested on your hockey skills, but also on your mental capacity. They will ask you to think on your feet and come up with new plays and ideas on the spot. If you manage to pull this off successfully, you have an excellent chance at making the team thanks to your extraordinary brain power. Remember, though, that practice makes perfect and you will learn to become better at this as well. If you want to succeed in hockey, you must be able to think quickly on your feet and be able to improvise when necessary.
Know The Difference Between The Two
There are numerous positions in hockey, and not all of them are created equal. For instance, you may be a superb skater who can play an extraordinary defensive game, but you may lack the height and the body size that are required to play center ice in the NHL. In another example, you could be a great player who lacks that extra gear that would allow you to physically dominate the game. Your hockey coaches will be able to assess your strengths and weaknesses and will be able to tell you how you can best play to make the team. Although it can be frustrating, this is a part of the learning process and you must be able to accept that not all players are created equal.
Skating Is One Of The Most Important Skills
This is a bit of a broad subject, but if you want to play in the NHL, your skating will be the key to your success. This is because top tier NHL teams are extremely demanding with regards to their players’ skating. If you want to play at that level, you will need to be one of the fastest skaters and best pivots of your class. Additionally, you will need to possess a great deal of stamina as you will be expected to play many games per week. If you want to improve your skating, focus on your stride and work on making each step count. Additionally, resist the urge to rush your recovery as there is a right way to go about improving your skating and you must find it.
Protect The Ball
Another important aspect of hockey is the ability to protect the puck. This means being able to deflect or stop the puck before your opponent does. To practice this skill, take your defensemen and have them hit the ball with a stick as hard as they can. If you want to become a better defender, you can buy a defensive stick which will help you deflect the puck when it comes your way. Additionally, you can work on your physicality toward the puck as you will be expected to play an anchor man role on the ice and fight for pucks along the boards. If you want to become a better defender, work on protecting the puck as it can make the difference between a win and a loss in many games throughout the season.
Learn To Use Your Body
Body position is important in hockey and you must be able to use your stature to your advantage. This means that, as a 6’4″ forward, you will need to duck your head and play the puck more effectively. Additionally, you will need to be able to fight for position with your opponents as they are taller than you. To work on your body positioning, take your normal skating routine and, instead of simply skating toward the puck, change your approach slightly. Instead of heading directly for the puck, slide your body slightly toward your opponent to gain some extra momentum before applying force.
Embrace The Contact
Being in physical contact with your opponents is important in hockey. However, it is also important to keep your feet moving as this makes you more agile and able to avoid their attacks. As you build up your body stamina throughout the season, you will learn to take a hit and bounce back stronger. Additionally, your coaches will work with you on how to stay within the rules of the game while still maintaining a physical presence. If you want to play at the top level, you will need to be able to take a hit and keep moving. Working on maintaining your balance while staying within the limits of the rules will be critical in ensuring you stay on the ice.
How Do I Play Better?
You know your potential in hockey and your coaches will help you identify your weaknesses. This is the part where you work to correct them and improve your game. To start off, you should focus on your skating as it is the most important aspect of your game. Additionally, you should work on protecting the ball as much as possible as this will make a difference in your win-loss record. However, you should also be focusing on how you can improve your mental aspect as this can have a considerable impact on the games as well. Last but not least, you should work on using your body to its potential as this will make the difference between a good hockey player and an excellent hockey player. During your tryout, your coaches will point out things they have noticed about your game and give you tips on how to become a better player. Some of the things they might suggest are:
- Work on your skating
- Protect the ball
- Know the difference between the two
- Learn to use your body
- Embrace the contact
After your hockey tryout, you will have a better idea of how you can play to earn a spot on the next team. Additionally, you will have a clearer picture of what you need to work on fixing in order to succeed in the game. Whether you make the team or not, practice makes perfect and your performance at camp will determine how far you can go in the game. Have fun!