All preparation for the game should focus on one thing: How can I be as ready as possible to play when the puck drops on the ice?
Preparation can be divided into physical and mental readiness. Below, we'll break down the preparation for the game into small pieces to make it easier for you to understand and optimize it.
- Muscle readiness (Warmth, activation, flexibility, and strength levels)
- Recovery
- Pain or discomfort
- Alertness (Sleep)
- Energy levels (Nutrition)
- Hydration balance (Drinking and electrolytes)
Physical aspects are tangible and therefore easy to address. They often affect mental readiness to play. For example, if you've slept poorly and eaten inadequately, you may feel fatigued and think, "Today might not be my best day..."
- Mental alertness (Sharpness and clear mind)
- Confidence
- Optimism (Seeing things in a positive light and focusing on opportunities rather than threats)
- Playing in the best emotional state (Find the emotional state that suits you best and aim for it: calmness, anger, excitement...)
- Focus (Thoughts are not wandering)
Describing the best possible feeling or state before the puck drops on the ice using these terms would go something like this:
"My body feels elastic and strong, with optimal warmth. I've fully recovered from a week of training. I've eaten well, stayed hydrated, and slept soundly, resulting in excellent energy levels. Mentally, I'm sharp, confident, and deeply focused on the game, free from distracting thoughts. I'm calm (or in whatever emotional state I perform best) and optimistic about tonight's game. I AM READY!
Of course, we can't always achieve this perfect state, sometimes due to factors beyond our control. But this is what we aim for. Then it's up to the athlete to determine what they need to do to reach this state. Finding the means to do so can be a long journey, but it's worth starting early. Coaches can help by offering tips and discussing preparation and routines, but every athlete is unique, so ultimately, it's up to the athlete to figure out their own methods."