How do you let go of goals against?

[harri1]

How Do You Let Go of Goals Against?

"I get mad at myself but you won't see me breaking sticks or other things. I don't like distractions and if I start acting up, I will become the distraction. "
-Maple Leafs Goaltender Andrew Raycroft

“Another shutout in the books for illustrious goalie…” exclaims Hockey Night in Canada announcer Jim Hughson. Just then your alarm goes off. It was just a dream. Unfortunately, as much as goalies would love it, no goalie has ever gotten a shutout in every game of a season. Hockey is a game of mistakes that sometimes includes a goalie’s mistakes. Since we all know that goals are going to happen we need to discuss ways that we can stop goals from ruining what could be an otherwise good game.

One of the hardest parts about being a goalie is the pressure that is placed on that goalie to be the life support of the team. It is because of this pressure that the goalie feels so frustrated and embarrassed after a shot has gone by, and also why the goalie must know how to recuperate after a mistake. There are some key issues that a goalie must face after allowing a goal.


1. Get up and get ready.

-do you want to pull the puck out of the net or do you want the ref to pick it up?

-your team looks to the goalie for confidence. How will teammates and the opposing team react if you lie on the ice and sulk?

-try not to show any counter productive emotions. Miika Kiprusoff is excellent at showing indifference after a goal.

2. Once the goal is scored the goalie must make a quick analysis of the mistake and learn from that mistake.

-a goalie needs to make sure that they can understand what went wrong and how to correct the mistake.

-this analysis should take less than three seconds while getting ready for the face-off.

3. How will the goalie get the goal out of their head?

-some goalies will analyze the goal in their head and then have a lazer blast the replay out of mind’s eye.

-another idea is to picture the goal going into the goalie’s stomach with a drink of water.

-often a physical routine will help a goalie to trigger a mental elimination of the goal.

4. Eliminate counter productive self-talk.

-do not allow yourself to say things like: "That sucked." "Now we will lose for sure." "Please do not shoot on me again", etc…

-goalies should look forward to the challenge of overcoming obstacles. Letting in a goal is an obstacle.

-recognize what constitutes counter productive self talk

5. Begin productive self-talk.

-possible productive self-talk can be: "Just have fun." "Take it one save at a time." "Be a warrior(Patrick Roy had this written on his equipment)." "I play my best when my head is up and my mind is clear", etc...

-find something that is productive and easy to remember.

-a routine for getting rid of goals will help to eliminate inconsistent play.

Once a goal is scored it should not be the end of the world. Are goals against ideal? No. Will goals against happen? Inevitably, yes. The key is finding a way to show your team and the opposition that you are in control and that you are ready for anything that will come towards you again. Remember, the goalie needs to give his/her team a chance to win. Flying off the handle will not help anyone.

Mental tip on being scored on.
Keep it positive “ You did not give up the goal, the shooter scored it. You always hear the shooter say “ Did you see the goal I scored”, you don’t here him state “Did you see the goal that goalie let in for me.”

[leaferguy]

I do what I heard Patty Roy did, which is replay the goal and go through the motions of making the save correctly. This gives me the confidence to know that I won't get beat the same way twice in a game. I always hand the puck to the ref, so digging it out and doing so is no big deal.

The one point of contention I have is the self-talking thing. If I'm talking to myself at all during a game, I'm not locked in. Talking to myself after a goal feels like I've benched my mind.

[harri1]

leaferguy - I am glad you said that you had one point of contention about the self-talk. If you are able to keep all thoughts, negative or positive, out of your head throughout an entire game that is excellent. I particularly like the term "benching the mind". Very interesting.

Of course, the goalie that doesn't think and just acts on instincts will be more effective but I think it is human nature for thoughts to pop into one's head during a hockey game. I think the trick, especially, after a goal, is to stop oneself from negative self talk/reactions and replace it with positive/productive self talk. Most people will automatically have a negative thought pop into their head when something negative happens to them, the key is to stop that negative thought from growing and impacting the rest of the game. Once a goalie can catch themself thinking a negative self-talk and exchange it for a positive/productive self-talk that goalie is ready to refocus on the present.

Goalies please consider the following questions:

What happens when you let in a goal that you know is particularly weak? Have you ever had a negative thought or reaction creep into your game after a bad play? What are some negative thoughts or reactions that have hurt your game? Are you able to get back on track when something negative happens? Do you have a set way of dealing with all setbacks that does not involve blame, swearing, tantrums or sulking? Goalies, if you are unhappy with any answers to any of the questions then it is time to analyze your approach.

I think being aware of self-talk is extremely important for most goaltenders because the natural reaction in life, for most people, is a negative reaction to an adverse situation. It is important to remember that we can all build the tools to deal with setbacks in positive ways that will keep us on track for success.

[leaferguy]

Originally Posted by harri1

leaferguy - I am glad you said that you had one point of contention about the self-talk. If you are able to keep all thoughts, negative or positive, out of your head throughout an entire game that is excellent. I particularly like the term "benching the mind". Very interesting.

Of course, the goalie that doesn't think and just acts on instincts will be more effective but I think it is human nature for thoughts to pop into one's head during a hockey game. I think the trick, especially, after a goal, is to stop oneself from negative self talk/reactions and replace it with positive/productive self talk. Most people will automatically have a negative thought pop into their head when something negative happens to them, the key is to stop that negative thought from growing and impacting the rest of the game. Once a goalie can catch themself thinking a negative self-talk and exchange it for a positive/productive self-talk that goalie is ready to refocus on the present.

Harri, in all honesty, I think I'm idealizing the situation. If I was that mentally strong, I'd be playing at a much higher level

Coming back to reality, when the thoughts do start to creep in, I have a weird thing where I force my mind to visualize something pretty complex. When I do that, it makes it hard for me to think because I really have to bring the image to life in my head.

I do try to avoid any self-talk, though, because I have found for myself that if I get too positive, I relax. I play my best when I'm at even keel, so just staying focused is the best medicine. Of course, as I get more tired, this gets a lot harder.

Originally Posted by harri1

Goalies please consider the following questions:

What happens when you let in a goal that you know is particularly weak? Have you ever had a negative thought or reaction creep into your game after a bad play? What are some negative thoughts or reactions that have hurt your game? Are you able to get back on track when something negative happens? Do you have a set way of dealing with all setbacks that does not involve blame, swearing, tantrums or sulking? Goalies, if you are unhappy with any answers to any of the questions then it is time to analyze your approach.

I think being aware of self-talk is extremely important for most goaltenders because the natural reaction in life, for most people, is a negative reaction to an adverse situation. It is important to remember that we can all build the tools to deal with setbacks in positive ways that will keep us on track for success.

I think overall you're right. It's not something that we can just avoid, no matter how much I like to pretend I agree with you wholeheartedly, though, that regardless of the goal, you need to get back up and play. When you sulk, slam your stick, or lose that aggressiveness because of a weak goal, the team knows you've lost control. Even if you feel like you have lost it, the illusion of being in control can buy you some saves and better effort from your teammates.


Great thread, Harri!

[bguminey]

Leaferguy hit it on the nose, I play my best hockey when I think nothing at all which is why the players call us goalies (weird.) When the period is over ill skate to the bench and turn my backside to the glass and stare at the ice doing my best to keep my mind clear. I try to explain this to the players and they all just look at me like im crazy but it works for me and I keep pucks out of the net and we win games so they say do whatever you want as long as we win.

[harri1]

First, thanks for the compliments on the thread; it is an interesting topic.

I think the thing that both leaferguy and bguminey address is the realization for a routine and the need to keep goaltending at an instinctual level. Unfortunately, there are often too many things that work against us and the need to recognize and replace negative thoughts and reactions is key no matter the game situation.

The following comment made me realize something...

Coming back to reality, when the thoughts do start to creep in, I have a weird thing where I force my mind to visualize something pretty complex. When I do that, it makes it hard for me to think because I really have to bring the image to life in my head.

As a teacher I must always be aware of which of the three types of learners each student is; visual, auditory, or kinesthetic. Your comment, leaferguy, makes me think that the definition of self-talk needs to be altered to include a visual image that could be either negative or positive as well as a possible auditory cue that can affect a goalie positively or negatively. I think this is where we were unclear. you have recognized a negative thought and replaced it with a picture. The key is that you recognized the problem and do something to remedy it.

I try to explain this to the players and they all just look at me like im crazy but it works for me and I keep pucks out of the net and we win games so they say do whatever you want as long as we win.

Forwards are...well...idiots. Don't get me wrong, I like'em, I need'em but they make life more complex. I find the majority of forwards I have played with do not seem to get that they can control their own game through mental preparation and training. I see so many guys who take Sudafed or drink Red Bull to get their energy up but the fact is you can control your energy levels for the one hour of the day that hockey is being played. This season, I really bought into Dr. Saul Miller's idea of the Five Pointed Star, in regards to breathing and energy regulation this year and it works phenomenally. Goalies understand the need to control their own destinies. Ask a forward how he feels during a game usually if they say "crappy", they play crappy. Goalies really are the smarter and better looking hockey players.

**In the next couple of weeks I will be posting an article called "Developing and Managing a Product Mental Game" that outlines the Five Pointed Star in more detail or you can find it at Mind The Net - Articles**

[greatsave31]

sorry not to disagree with Leafer or bguminey as I respect both of they're opinions ( not trying to sound like a butt kisser), but i found that when I was younger I was able to play at an instinctual level. Once I hit junior and college and with the tryouts i'm attending now, I really see the importance of myself being a student of the game. I like the fact that before a game or a tryout I'm going over my mental game plan in my head, and during the game/tryout this mental game plan keeps replying.... perhaps that is my particular instinct but I like being able to read a pay when it's starting at the other end and thinking of the possibilities that will come because through my prepairation, I have already gone through these situations. this could be more consistent towards a mental prep thread but i have found that if I am thinking about my game plan thus thinking about the game... I guess it's not really disagreeing with leafer and bguminey but simply showing what may work for other goaltenders

[leaferguy]

I do that, too, though.

If I don't visualize prior to a game/practice, I find myself feeling really out of position or a step behind. Before a game, I spend a lot of time stretching and visualizing/acting out save motions. I frame each save and move through each corner. The thing is simply that I don't like to talk to myself during a game. Visualization prior to it is a necessity to me.

I think the difference is that positive visualization helps to put me on cruise control whereas it's a plan for you to play the game. Don't know if that makes sense, but I don't think our approaches are too far apart...

[no5hole]

You know what, I talk to myself 24 hours out of the day, I dont need to hear myself during a hockey game too! LOL!

But seriously, after a goal I have my routine. Pull up the cage a take a couple of seconds to myself, whipe down the sweat with a towel and get ready for the next challenge. I do have to admit that I won't look at the clock for a while after the goal though. I dont like seeing the goals against posted up on the clock.

Thats my two cents. I like reading about others mental frame of minds, it gives insight into our own train of thought and makes us recognize things that we might not notice if it weren't brought up.

Thanks,

[greatsave31]

Originally Posted by leaferguy

I do that, too, though.

If I don't visualize prior to a game/practice, I find myself feeling really out of position or a step behind. Before a game, I spend a lot of time stretching and visualizing/acting out save motions. I frame each save and move through each corner. The thing is simply that I don't like to talk to myself during a game. Visualization prior to it is a necessity to me.

I think the difference is that positive visualization helps to put me on cruise control whereas it's a plan for you to play the game. Don't know if that makes sense, but I don't think our approaches are too far apart...

no, no i definitly understood what you were saying... basically we're doing the same exact thing just using them in different ways.

[covbbabe]

The mantra that has helped me best is "I'm seeing the puck well." I picture it 10x times bigger than it is. I say this throughout the game.

If for whatever reason the puck is going into my net...I not only say the above I focus on keeping my chest to the puck.

Weird bounces happen. I do get mad and let it go immediately. I don't find trying to be stoaic true to myself. I may pound my stick but that it is. I then reply the goal making the save. Goals really don't take me out of my game per se, I just need my team to score. Sometimes they just can't seem to do that so that 2nd goal was all it took for the other team to win.

I love the break-aways and shoot outs when I can be one-on-one. So when that one person keeps scoring on me, I try coming out bigger and brasher. The more aggressive I am, the better I feel. At least then I tried something and made them make a move. Many times they just end up having to make that one more move to shoot; luck for me their shot misses. Then sometimes, they just fake me out of my skates. Hockey, what a sport!

[Trevor16cup08]

I am very glad that this thread is here, i have printed out the original post. In the past i had never reacted to goals against, but recently i was playing with another goalie and he would get mad after every goal against. He said that getting mad makes you play harder. What i failed to notice was that the hard play didn't mean better. Ever since that day i have gotten worse and worse by playing to my anger and frustration. In my last game i lost 9 to 2 and found myself putting myself down and thinking i was worthless after every next goal. Even after that game i have been going to practices, finding myself making alot of mistakes due to my scumming to anger. Usually in the past i would think about the mistake and try not to make that same mistake. But lately i get mad and feel embarrassed about it, i feel like everyone thinks im crap. Im glad that this post is hear and that i read it. I practice again tomorrow morning, i will try to "bench my thoughts" and emotions.

Getting angry is the worse thing possible to do. I have found myself concentrating on the wrong things and in turn i loose my angles, my movement , and develop a tendency to loose sight of the puck due to lack of concentration. I never really realized the importance of playing with icey vains but now i understand. I see how things turn out when you don't.

Keys:
- Don't expect to save every goal with the intention of getting mad if you don't, instead, do all you can to save every goal, thats all
- If a goal goes in realize the error and work out how to stop it.
- anger/frustration equals poor motivation and lack of concentration
- visualization of success

[Cujo_64]

Since my son has started to play several years ago, I have told him, that you will not stop every puck every game, handle the game 1 save at a time... its not like practice where there are 3 or 10 kids shooting at you at the same time. Do not pull the puck out of the net, let the refs do that, after you have let in a goal, think about how it went in, and what could you have done better to stop it, visualize it, get a drink of water and then get back into your center ice face off stance. He has used this since mites and has done well as far as dealing with being scored on. if I have ever been a coach on a team he played for I would tell him in intermissions , good job, keep it up (regaurdless of good or not so good play) and to take it one save at a time. now we added control your rebounds and nothing under you, and nothing through you. he heard that from another goalie coach we worked with for a weekend and we have kept up that saying to keep it fresh in his mind.


anywho, thats what we do here... down south as they call it. lol