Concentration problems...

[streethockeygoalie]

Ok, heres the deal.
I sometimes have some trouble getting into the game, and it will take a few saves in the first to get me going, but the problem lies in if I don't make the saves......BUT, that's not the real issue here.
I find that after the first period, in the second and third periods, my concentration level drops WAY off, I really have to fight to keep my head in the game. I won't get into detail about it, but it's causing a big problem for me.
Any ideas?

[bedris]

Originally posted by streethockeygoalie
I won't get into detail about it, but it's causing a big problem for me.
Any ideas?

I got an idea: Get in detail about it, or else no one will be able to help you.

[goaliekid3]

Street (Buddy)

I had the same problem letting the game slip mentally, but then I started this little trick and it works for me. Look at each period as ONE game; first period is game one, second period is game two and the third, game three. Each start of the period starts a new game. win all three and you have won the game!!! This will split the game up for you mentally as well as give you a fresh look at what’s going to happen.
Or you could chant something to your self during the game. I like to talk to myself about positioning. Talk to yourself about how the play is coming at you and how you’re going to stop the puck (i.e. if you know someone likes to pass and not shoot remind yourself of that each time he is in the zone. Or if the player keeps his head down when he shoots remind yourself of that as well). Keep the mind free of any outside thinking, only of hockey. Keep the focus on the play and the puck and repeat that in your head.


Three

[Crazy Sean26]

Yeah, doing what goaliekid did really helped me a lot. Having that mentality that every shot is crucial and the game is on the line really picks up the concentration. I made a lot of mistakes when my mind would wander and that can really cost you big.

Tell us if anything works for ya!

[streethockeygoalie]

three: Thnx for the tips, I think I will try that next game.

CrazySean: I know all about costly goals when the mind is wandering

[Oddzilla51]

The best thing to do is try and pay attention to what is going on in the game, whether or not you're too involved or not. Try to see which player onthe other team is the strongest, which is the weakest. All things that can help you depending on where the action is. Watch the other goalie and try to pick out their weakness to let your team know. And then well all else fails try to......


What were we talking about again?

[Nightfall]

I know this sounds kinda silly...

I keep myself in the game by doing a play-by-play of the game going on at the other side of the ice. When the play comes to my side, I get in position to make the save. Keep in mind while I am doing the play-by-play announcing to myself, I am following the puck at all times.

It's silly, but it keeps me in the game if my team is dominating in their end the entire game and I might see only 10-15 shots. If my opponent is dominating, well, then I am focused all the time on the puck.

[Clyde]

Yeah, paying attention really helps out in the long run. Last night I was playing for the first time with some new guys and was going through the motions in warm-ups, not paying any attention to the shooters on the other end or their skill level. Some guy comes skating in right off the bat when we started the game. Now this guy looks like a flood victim: unmatching socks, ratty old jersey, peeling tape on the stick, the works. Anyhow, I cheat over to the side, assuming he will have to make a move around the D and then I will be strong, on-angle and challenging, because there is no way this goober is scoring from the blue line. Long story short, his eyes grew all big at the 3 feet of net I gave him far-side and he ripped one off the crossbar/fatr post. MMMMMMM, shut him down the rest of the night, but had I been paying a little attention, I definately would have noticed that shot and NOT cheated. I hate it when the goober makes me look like one!!!

[sloppy]

Streethockey,
Are you burned out? Too many games? No rest, no sleep? Is the level of players too slack for you? Are you starting to hate playing net? Are you excitied about playing anymore?

As I love the position, no matter how slack the game, I tell myself... shutout today. Trying to not let in any goals makes me focus harder.

As an incentive, I think of Hasek not letting in hardly any goals in team practices! Practices, not just a game....that's focus and concentration in my mind...very admirable considering his paycheck and the fact it could make one sleepwalk through some games.

Set yourself a goal [shutout related, yah] and maybe this will help with your concentration.

[Snydes1987]

To stay in the game I do several things. First of all I talk to my self and my posts (hey sometimes I get lonely), but then again I usually don't have very much time by myself. Also when ever the puck is in the other end I follow the ouck and never ever take my eyes off of it, this really helps. And I do the period=a game thing too that really helped me out when I was struggling.

[Goalie Boy]

Yeah I also talk to my self and follow the puck too. I think it really does help. I know that at times I have started to think of other things (very rarely does this happen in league game), but when the play starts to come back my way I just focus in on the game that I cant think of any thing else or Im not even really thinking and im just reacting to the play.

[leaferguy]

Here's what it came down to for me:

1) No matter how bored I was with the league, there are at least 8-12 (roller) other players depending on me to give them a chance to win.

2) I HATE LOSING.

We're goalies. No matter how boring, tedious, or stupid the game is, we HAVE to stay on our feet till the play comes into our zone and then give 100% out of respect to our team mates. We need no more motivation than that.

[Timberwoof]

My intuition suggests it's a problem related to physical endurance. But to pin that down I'd need more detail.

Do you find yourself bored and frustrated, or kind of foggy and tired? If it's the second thing, what's in your water bottle? Water or half-and-half water and Gatorade?

[kevinthenet]

I have the same problem with concen.......ooh, look! A penny!

[RRG]

Street,

First of all I think a little more info is required However from what I gather I think I have/had a similar problem concerning the problems getting started. I would always have some difficulty with the first few shots. What I do to jump start myself is a quick short sprint as soon as I get on the ice, after I get settled in net I try to make myself breath faster, and just generally put myself in a heightened state of awareness. Its kinda hard to explain but I make myself feel like how I would feel if it were the last minute of an important game and the other team is pressing hard. A state of near panic I guess? Well anyway I find that if I feel that way from the very start of a game I usually have an easier time making the first few saves.