Summary

Have you ever wondered why performing at a high level on a consistent basis is so difficult for goaltenders to achieve? Does it bother you when you follow up an outstanding performance with a sub par effort? Are you the type of goalie who can't seem to recover from a setback whether it be a bad goal against or a string of poor performances? Is it hard for you to understand why you fail to achieve your best performances even though you spend hour after hour training your technical skills and tactical responses to the various situations you face in a game?

The truth is, regardless of how athletic you are, how solid your foundation of skill is, and how much goaltending knowledge you possess, it is your ability to control your mind - to manage your thoughts and emotions that dictates how successful you will be as a goaltender.

In the over 20 years I have played and taught the goaltending position, I have witnessed literally hundreds of talented goaltenders fall short of reaching their potential because they never learned how to steer their thoughts and emotions in the direction required to achieve consistently outstanding performances.

If you are one of the many goaltenders who is plagued by low self-confidence, lapses in concentration, an inability to control your nerves, or a failure to respond appropriately to poor performances, than The Power of the Mind: Mental Training for Goaltenders is the ideal resource to help you unleash the power of your mind so that you can become the goaltender you are truly capable of becoming.

Learn how to control your mind before it controls you by relying on the only mental training resource written specifically for goaltenders, The Power of the Mind: Mental Training for Goaltenders.

Ken Dryden

Chapter Listing

Chapter 1: Confidence

• Positive Self-Talk
• Negative Thought-Stoppage
• Positive Imagery

Chapter 2: Concentration

Chapter 3: Reacting To A Goal

Chapter 4: Arousal Control

• Relaxation
• Emotional Pump-Up

Chapter 5: The Role of the Back-Up Goaltender

Chapter 6: Analyzing Your Performances

• Record Keeping
• Journal #1
• Journal #2

Chapter 7: Developing a Pre-Competition Plan

• Sample Pre-Competition Plan
• Physical Warm-Up
• Contest Buid-Up Routine
• Reflection Time

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Sample 1

Chapter 2
Concentration

Concentration is defined as the ability to maintain focus on relevant environmental cues. Possessing the ability to concentrate on the task at hand is essential to performing one's best. The major component of concentration involves focusing attention solely on cues that directly affect your performance (ie; the position of the puck, your teammates and your opponents). The most successful goalies in the game of hockey today have learned how to block out the negative thoughts that are detrimental to their performance - such as a preoccupation with poor officiating or who is sitting in the crowd watching the game.

Maintaining concentration over an extended period of time is a vital component of outstanding goaltending. Unlike his teammates, the goaltender does not have the option of leaving the ice every 45 seconds to a minute for a rest. For this reason, the goaltender must maintain his focus throughout the entire game since a lapse in concentration by the goalie could be the difference between a win or a loss.

There is little doubt that the ability to concentrate during a game while under pressure and with distractions present is often what separates great goaltenders from average goaltenders. It is important to realize that concentration is like any other skill. It can only be developed with tremendous dedication and practice.

Concentration Exercises

1) Clock Face Concentration: Concentrate on the second hand of a watch or clock as it makes a complete revolution. Blink your eyes or snap your fingers every five seconds. Try and repeat this exercise for five minutes. If you lose your concentration simply bring your focus back to the second hand and start over.

2) The Number Game: 
a) Count by two's to 100.
b) Count down from 100 by two's.
c) Repeat these exercises with your eyes closed and picture each number in your mind as you count.
d) Repeat these exercises only this time add color to each number as you count.
e) Repeat these patterns counting by three's, four's and then five's.

3) Concentrate on a Puck: This is a great pre-game mental training exercise. Get a puck and find a quiet place where you will not be disturbed. Examine the puck. Now begin to examine it visually in great detail. Get a good sense of how the puck feels in your hands. Examine its texture and color. Is the puck rough or smooth? Does it have a logo on it? Are there scratches or scuffmarks?

Now put the puck down and focus your mind and eyes on it. See the puck as fully as you can so that its smallest details will stand out in your mind. If your thoughts wander simply bring your attention back to the puck.

Take note of how long you can maintain your focus on the puck. It isn't easy to stay focused on one object for an extended period of time.

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