Your Mindset When Changing Hockey Teams
Changing teams, moving up, or playing under a new coach creates anxiety for many players. Playing under a new system or having a new position coach can interrupt continuity and make you feel like you are starting from square one.
The reality is that you will need to adapt your playing at many times during your hockey career. No matter your age, coaches will try to refine your technique in an attempt to improve your skills.
To get to the next level, you will need to learn to adapt.
Adaptation is important because change is a certainty.
There are two mental approaches you can take towards change, playing on a new team or having a new coach:
The first approach focuses on the negative, “I just started getting comfortable playing this way and now this coach wants to change everything.” Here, you are meeting this new challenge with resistance which slows your progress and keeps you from your potential.
A more productive approach is to see the benefit in change. A new coach can teach skills that can build on your current skill set. Even the way a coach may word his instruction to you could cause something to click in your head and help you improve at a faster rate.
Braden Holtby, goaltender for the Washington Capitals, is in his sixth full NHL season and on his fifth goaltending coach.
Adjusting to another voice could delay the progress of many goalies but Holtby sees the positive in such change. Holtby’s ability to adapt and welcome change helped him win the Vezina Trophy in 2016 and start this season strong with a 2.87 goals-against average.
HOLTBY: “I think [the change of coaches] is something that has really helped me. They’ve all had a different view on things and it’s kind of fortunate because you can take things out of different mindsets and… put it all together.”
Even though repetition is the key to grooving your skills, you also can learn new skills to build on your existing skills, in small increments, to raise your game to the next level.
If you reject or are hesitant to change, your game will not grow. You need to have a growth mindset to improve your game and to adapt new ideas into your existing skill set.
New Washington Capitals’ goalie coach Scott Murray believes Holtby’s growth mindset and ability to adapt to change have added to his success as a goaltender.
MURRAY: “[Holtby] does a really good job always having the big picture in sight. The small details don’t take over the big picture, they add to the big picture.”
The next time you are faced with change, view it as opportunity to raise your game and uncover more of your potential.
Tips for Playing for a New Coach:
Respectfully talk to your new coach. Express your concerns about change.
Look at the new situation as a chance to learn and advance your game. Be sure to make big changes in the off season or preseason.
If you can embrace change, you will have a great opportunity to grow your game and learn new skills.
Related Articles on Hockey Mental Game:
- Hockey Mindset for Peak Performance
- How Hockey Players Cope with Difficult Conditions
- How to Take Mental Skills to Hockey Games
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