Any remedies for thinking to much?

Anyone here have the same problem as I do--thinking too much?

It's not a confidence thing, but more of a technical thing. There are so many techniques and little snippity details to goaltending that sometimes it's easy to get all tangled over how you're gonna stop the puck instead of just saving the puck.

Any stories, ideas, comments?

AB

[Aaron]

One of the best quotes ever was from Curtis Joseph in his Edmonton days..this should help.

"What do they say? People use %25 of their brain? A goalie wants to use a lot less than that."

[Bernie]

It doesn't work for everyone but I just tell myself "Relax and React... Relax and React..."

Once, one of my junior goalies was having a bad game and I taught him this trick after we called a time out. He then played much better. "Wow that really works!" he said, and he's done it ever since.

Once also, another 12 year old goalie I work with was also having a bad game. I taught him this trick and he played even worse the next period. "Got any other bright ideas coach?" he said.

Bernie

[badgerit]

regular humans use 3-10% of their brains...

[Bernie]

Not me man. I'm going all out. Full throttle. Pedal to the metal.

[Squealagig]

but did you remember to start the engine bernie

I find I don't have a problem thinking too much. I just have to make sure I concentrate or I'll just stand there like a lemon. I guess maybe it's cus I think about hockey all day so when I play I don't have to think I can just do?

Headbutting walls reduces brain cells which in turn reduces thinking

I only ever found myself thinking too much before the game. To get over it I would try to get there late enough that I just had time to dress and perhaps tape a stick.

[daemyn75]

I like to drink beer before the game so I don't think as hard and it kills the pain of a shot to an unportected area Acctually I have to concentrait or the puck zings past me and I look like a B00B

I like the head-bashing idea. Brain cells grow back, don't they?

[TartanBill]

Playing without a mask might solve the problem

Heheh.. I found this to be curious problem.. with even more curious solutions..

As stupid as it looks, I do play better with glasses on... for some reason. One of my theories? Well, fog builds up very quickly on my glasses in ice rinks.. so I have to think of various ways to clearing the fog during a game, including somehow trying to blow up, shake my head around, etc.. This gets me something to think about and keeps my mind off from either wandering or start to worry about the score, etc. Like this, I usually just stop the puck, and when the play goes down the other end, focus on clearing my glasses :-) I actually find this helps me in not tensing up during tight games, and rather than thinking about making saves, simply going out there and stopping the puck...

Another thing that I do is to repeat the first three words that come out of my mind over and over again during the game to focus on something else..

With those two things as well as going through my rather complicated post-tapping procedure during every play-stoppage.. I usually keeps me from actually thinking about the game.. and curiously gets me playing better...

[AJW]

I know it's kind of odd but every now and then I'll sing. Not too loud, just above a whisper. It helps calm me down I guess. I know I'm not alone though. I'm too young to really remember but back in the early 80's the Milwaukee Admirals had a Goalie (I can't remember his name for the life of me) who would sing. I think the song was Strawberry Fields or something like that. My uncle had seats right behind the net and you could actually hear him singing during the game.

[Ryano42]

Sometimes I'll get a song stuck in my head. Occasionally it can be VERY distacting (La Vida Loca...blecch!) But if you listen to something inspiring, it helps.

BTW: Had an great game yesterday, really stoned them. About half way through the game I could almost feel the frustration of the opposing team and soon all their shots were easy and seemed aimed at the middle of my chest. It's like they gave up!
Yesssss!
Ever have that happen? Aint it FUN!!!

Thinking too much is a huge problem; breakaways especially, usually linked to a bad early goal, off ice problems, La Vida Loca, etc. I think just be patient, (tuff!) confident (tuff-er!) and aggressive.
Easier said then done, fer sure...

That singing thing is a good idea. I used to play football and high school and when we kicked off I'd fly down the field singing. My teammates hated it, but it really got me in my groove.

For me, music is a big way in. I love music. If I can really get into a song, then everything else just comes natural. Totally loosens me up.

I'll try the singing tomorrow night. The boys'll hate it. Oh well, most people already think goalies are strange, this'll just add to the reputation.

AB

[Timberwoof]

I have a lot of Buddhist friends, and their sitting meditation has rubbed off on me. One day I surprised them by describing my way of dealing with too many words in my head or with frustration during a game. I just think on Buddha, and focus on my breathing and on the puck. All else goes away and I'm in the zone. They looked at each other and nodded ... yep, that's a legitimate Practice. :-)

Of course, when I played against the Boston Lobsters in Toronto the other month I invented a new meditation: "Before I can become a Master I must be a student. Today I will be a student." (Anybody remember the old Kung Fu series? It's like that.) We lost, but I played well and we placed second in the tournament. Not quite Enlightenment, but that silver medal is plenty shiny.