The importance of routine

[RichMan]

This past Friday, i had a game at 10pm. About 2-3hours before i left, i had a coffee(i usualy don't before a game). I had the kids watching a movie while i got my stuff AND myself together. I pulled out my "Goalie PUMP UP music CD" and listened to all the tracks. There is one track in particular that just drives me into psyche mode like you wouldn't believe. Anyways, i felt the energy sore...took about 30minutes with the kids to chill and then left. That night i had a wicked game and was complimented non stop in the change room

Saturday...game at 10pm, different bunch. I didn't follow through with the same routine. No coffee, no music, snacked on a few chips with the kids and then chilled with a buddy that dropped by and said bye to the kids and left. I was mentaly ready...or so i thought. The game started ok. I tried my best to pump up the guys to get them in game mode, especialy since the other goalie who, granted is a good one, seems to make my boys nervous. Well suffice to say, i faced at least 6 break-aways and sucked on all but 2. My team looked they were having a picnic at center ice. We managed to score 2, but they washed us up and down. I wish the guys could be as worked up as i am before and during a game.

All this to say, if you have a routine, STICK WITH IT!!!!!

Nuff' said

[rpitcher]

The trick is finding what works for you!

For me, shift work interferes with whatever routines I like to prep for hockey. I end up not seeing any ryhme or reason to what makes me play well, or poorly. One time I'll rush to the rink from work and stink out the house, but another time I'll rush from work to the rink and play insanely well (for a fat old beerleaguer, that is.) Sometimes when I have time to rest well, eat properly, and get pumped for a game, I'll choke, while other times with the same prep I'll do okay.

Makes no sense to me!

I do agree with routines though. I'm particular about how I load my equipment into my van, and how I go about things in the change room. If I mess with that, my game is doomed!

[goalie30]

Originally Posted by rpitcher

The trick is finding what works for you!

For me, shift work interferes with whatever routines I like to prep for hockey. I end up not seeing any ryhme or reason to what makes me play well, or poorly. One time I'll rush to the rink from work and stink out the house, but another time I'll rush from work to the rink and play insanely well (for a fat old beerleaguer, that is.) Sometimes when I have time to rest well, eat properly, and get pumped for a game, I'll choke, while other times with the same prep I'll do okay.

Makes no sense to me!

Exactly the same as you. I have no idea how I am going to play....sometimes I feel great and stink out the place, sometimes I wish I were somewhere else before the game and play great...for a beerleaguer.

Who knows??

[RichMan]

Same here...from the packing to the change room and dress up. I even have this thing on ice:

- I go on, do a few laps, 2 blue line sprints, then i hit the side for my stretching. I have this thing where i do my pinball action with my legs working the five hole with my stick and then i do a side to side paddle-down for 3-4 and finish with 3 blade slaps on the ice then i hit the crease to get some shots.

When we have done the most trying difficult synchronised cheer , i do my post to post to front challenging and then i'm ready.

Sounds odd, but it's how i got to do it.

I'll scrape the crease if only needed.

[VaughnWarrior09]

At the end of each period of a game, I tap the stick side post 3 times with the shaft of my stick and tap the opposite post with my glove. Don't know why I do it, don't know when I started doing it, but do know I'm gonna keep it up. I'm also obsessed with cleaning my crease and end up with mountains of snow on the sides of the posts.

[RyJ Maduro]

I know I don't tend to have a specific pregame "during the day" routine, but I have so many locker room and on the ice habits that I couldn't list them all here.

[Markkanen40]

Originally Posted by RyJ Maduro

I know I don't tend to have a specific pregame "during the day" routine, but I have so many locker room and on the ice habits that I couldn't list them all here.

you should list some good locker room ones, i need to get into a rythm.

[sprintmechanic]

I'm just weird, i just get my pads on, and hit the crease for some shots, no streatching, if i have time i steal a players stick first and play some D just to mess around. The best thing i can do to play well is just going into it being poseive and looking forward to having fun, just like and week night drop-in.