Hockey is a sport that has been around for more than a century and is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. Played around the world the sport is now a competitive one with the National Hockey League (NHL) boasting 16 American and Canadian teams, and the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) having more than 100 member nations. If you’re looking to enter the field or are currently playing the sport, then here are some tips on how to go about it!
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Know Your Limits
It’s essential to know your capabilities and know when to stop working harder. Like any other sport, hockey requires a certain level of physical fitness and talent to play at a high level. There are certainly many cases of hard work paying off and individuals rising through the ranks to achieve success, but it’s important not to lose track of your limits. The first step to becoming a good hockey goalie is knowing what you’re capable of and when to stop pushing yourself too hard. There’s plenty of work to be done between now and the start of the next season, so don’t rush into anything.
Study The Stance And Technique
As a goalie, you’ll need to know how to stand in front of the puck and how to use your equipment correctly. When it comes to standing in front of the puck, there are several different techniques that goaltenders use. Some like to take a wide stance with their feet slightly apart, while others prefer to bunch up their toes and close their legs. While the exact details don’t matter too much, getting into the habit of using the proper technique will help you find success as a goalie. When it comes to using the correct equipment, there are also specific techniques that goaltenders use to keep the puck out of the net. For instance, some goalies prefer to extend their arms straight out in front of them while using their pads and equipment to keep the puck out of the net, while others lean slightly back and use their shoulder to block the puck. The equipment and stance you use will depend on the type of shot you’re facing and how skilled the team you’re playing against is.
Develop A Mental Game
Even before you start playing the physical game, you’ll need to be thinking of ways to stop the puck. During practice, work on your mental game by focusing on the things you need to do. Think about what you’re seeing out there on the ice; work on what makes a good stop and concentrate on what you need to do to make the game-winning save. Injuries are a part of the game and sometimes you’ll have to step aside for a few games, but that’s all right as long as you continue to work hard at improving your game.
Watch Film And Read Up On The League
One of the best things you can do for yourself is to learn to watch film and study individual players’ tendencies. Looking at past games and seeing how the opposing team played will give you a good idea of how they’re going to attack you and what you need to do to stop them. Watching film of successful goalies and noting what they do can help you develop your own game and figure out ways to stop the puck. In addition to looking at film, try out different equipment in the shop to see how it feels and whether it’ll help you achieve the goal of keeping the puck out of the net.
Even though hockey is a team game it’s still essential to work on your individual skills and know how to shut the puck out. The good thing about hockey is there are always ways to improve your game and find success; something to look forward to each day of practice!