How The Best Athletes Train Differently
- Tyrell Buckley
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
You can learn a lot about mental preparation and how to train with intent by watching this video of Joey Daccord training during the off-season during a training session with his goalie coach.
Let’s break it down and pull out tools you can apply to your off-season training!
Purpose Before Preparation
Daccord starts his session with a purposeful warm-up to activate his mind and body.
“Every goalie should have their routine.”
He isn’t hoping to feel good on the ice. He is making the choice to take action to increase the probability he feels good for the skate.
Earning Confidence From Evidence
Daccord is building his confidence throughout the ice time through his self-talk and effort each rep.
“Feels good. I feel good today. I got good jam today.”
Take note of how he built that state of confidence to take forward with him into his season.
Proper warm-up routine
Hands are activated on the ice
Focusing on technical execution
Focusing on execution and effort each rep
Process Over Outcome
Throughout the skate, they are not discussing:
Save percentage
Statistics
Future success
Instead their focus is on:
Hand position
Patience
Tracking
Feet set each shot
Process goals drive attention toward controllable actions. Try to redirect your focus on effort, execution and technique compared to outcomes, results of others or statistics.
Deliberate Practice Vs Mindless Repetitions
Listen to the feedback provided by his goalie coach.
“Maybe you’re being too patient.”
“Your timing was perfect.”
“Your hands are out front.”
Their purpose is on execution, not just to complete a high quantity of reps.
Reflect on how intentional you train on a regular basis.
Process Goals Reflection
Setting process goals allow you to continuously gain small wins, build confidence and train with intention more consistently.
Identify 3 main process goals you can work towards on the ice this summer.
Example for a hockey goaltender:
Ex.) "Keeping my eyes ahead of my body on every lateral movement."
Ex.) “Staying square to the puck on every shot off the rush.”
Ex.) “Tracking rebound placement after every save.”
Reflect and adjust your off-season goals to maintain motivation and focus for each training session.
Train with a plan. Train with a developed purpose. Work to improve every day.
Tyrell Buckley
Buckley Mental Performance
Student in Mental Performance Consulting
Comments