Step 1: Define Your Hockey Identity
Before you step on the ice, you need clarity on who you are as a player and how you approach the game. The Advanced Ready to Play Assessment helps you break down:✔ Your Strengths & Weaknesses – Where do you thrive, and where do you need work?✔ Your Mental Approach – Do you play with confidence or hesitation?✔ Your Coachability – Are you open to learning, or do you resist feedback?
Action Plan:✔ Write down three words that define the kind of player you want to be. (Example: Focused, Relentless, Smart)✔ Set one personal development goal based on your assessment (e.g., “Improve my decision-making under pressure.”).✔ Ask Coach AI Mike Hartman for a mindset tip on improving that area.
Step 2: Build Mental Toughness for Game-Day Performance
A strong hockey mindset requires resilience under pressure. The ability to stay focused, recover from mistakes, and play with confidence separates top players from the rest.
Action Plan:✔ Pre-Game Ritual:
Visualization: Picture yourself making smart plays and executing your role.
Controlled Breathing: Take deep breaths to center yourself before stepping on the ice.
Positive Self-Talk: Replace doubt with powerful statements like “I am ready to dominate.”
✔ In-Game Mental Strategy:
After a mistake, take a deep breath and refocus on the next shift.
Use short, clear focus points (“Hard on the forecheck.” “Quick feet.” “Head up.”).
✔ Post-Game Reflection:
Instead of dwelling on negatives, identify one thing you did well and one area to improve for next time.
Journal quick notes about your mental performance after each game.
Ask Coach AI Mike Hartman:✔ “How do I recover mentally after a tough game?”✔ “What’s the best way to stay focused when I feel off?”
Step 3: Improve Decision-Making & Hockey IQ
Elite players don’t just react; they anticipate and see the game differently.
Action Plan:✔ Practice “Active Watching” – When watching a game (live or film), focus on:
How players create time and space.
Defensive positioning and reaction speed.
How top players move without the puck.
✔ Post-Shift Reflection – After each shift, quickly ask yourself:
Did I make the right decision?
What could I have done better?
Was I fully engaged in every moment?
✔ On-Ice Drills to Boost Decision-Making:
Small-Area Games: Forces quick thinking and reaction.
Situational Scrimmages: Practice 2-on-1s, 3-on-2s, and defensive reads.
Controlled Chaos Drills: Train under pressure by adding constraints (e.g., must make a pass within 2 seconds).
Ask Coach AI Mike Hartman:✔ “How can I improve my hockey IQ?”✔ “What drills help with making quicker decisions?”
Step 4: Develop a Total Wellness Mindset
Physical preparation is important, but mental, emotional, and physical well-being all connect to peak performance. The Total Wellness Mindset Assessment helps identify areas that need attention.
Action Plan:✔ Prioritize Recovery:
Get at least 8 hours of sleep to ensure proper muscle recovery and mental clarity.
Use active recovery techniques (foam rolling, stretching, hydration).
✔ Manage Stress & Stay Mentally Sharp:
Use guided breathing techniques before and after games.
Take 10-15 minutes of mental reset time daily (meditation, visualization, or just unplugging).
✔ Fuel for Performance:
Eat protein + healthy carbs before practice/games.
Stay hydrated throughout the day (dehydration affects focus & reaction time).
✔ Set Weekly Wellness Check-Ins:
Are you feeling mentally sharp or sluggish?
Are you getting enough recovery and proper nutrition?
Are external stressors affecting your game?
Ask Coach AI Mike Hartman:✔ “What’s the best way to stay mentally fresh throughout a long season?”✔ “How can I improve my recovery and focus?”
Step 5: Commit to Your Hockey Mindset System
A great mindset isn’t built overnight—it’s a daily practice. The best players create a structured system to stay mentally and physically dialed in.
Action Plan:✔ Morning Routine for Mindset Priming:
5 minutes of visualization (see yourself executing key plays).
5 minutes of mobility work or stretching.
Set one clear intention for the day (e.g., “Today, I will be 100% engaged in practice.”).
✔ Game-Day Preparation Checklist:
Pre-game fuel: Hydration + proper nutrition.
Mental prep: Visualization, focus cues, and breathing exercises.
Energy management: Stay loose but locked in.
✔ End-of-Day Review:
Write down one success and one lesson learned from the day.
Adjust & refine your mindset strategies as needed.
Ask Coach AI Mike Hartman:✔ “How do I build a pre-game routine that gets me locked in?”✔ “What’s the best way to stay consistent with my mindset training?”
Final Challenge: Apply Your Strong Hockey Mindset Now
Your Next Steps:✔ Implement one mindset strategy in your next practice or game.✔ Reflect on how it affects your performance, confidence, and focus.✔ Keep building your personalized hockey mindset system and track your progress.
Coach AI Mike Hartman is here for you! Anytime you need a mindset reset, performance boost, or strategic advice, just ask.
Your Healthy Mindset App System for Hockey is now in motion. Stay focused, play with purpose, and always be Ready to Win.