Dealing with mental roadblocks

[laxjunkie]

My high school team runs perfect practices - no dropped balls, execute offenses perfectly, etc.

Come gametime, it's like a different team. I'm not sure if they are psyching themselves out, too pumped up, or not pumped up enough. It's not lack of athletic ability, but something going on upstairs.

I plan on talking with them today at practice, but anyone else encounter this? Any recommendations?

[crazydrew86]

maybe you are practicing too hard. my coach lets us screw around as much as we want in the practice before a game. we al know that when we step on the field the screwing around is over. it like he wants us to get it(screwing around) out of our systems before the game

[WHEELAX2]

or maybe you're not practicing at game speed, etc.. anyone can catch pass and shoot at half speed, but can they do it full speed??

[laxjunkie]

No, drills are full speed. Looks more like the fear of screwing up. But I'm not a yeller, don't put kids down, etc. We'll be talking about it today as a team.

[stegmakk]

Greg Catrano had great yet simple advice...that can be applied to any position...
basically you arent going to perform perfect all the time...if you get scored on or miss a goal or get beat...dont get down on yourself...it IS going to happen...

KS: At Lax Nation, we just finished doing tutorials for players. Bill Daye wrote a good article on goaltending, but is there any advice you can give?

GC: The most important thing for goalies, even before they step into the cage, is to understand that they are going to get shelled. They get lit up. It is what they do after they get shelled that is going to make them a better goalie. It’s what they do at that time. If they get down on themselves, then it doesn’t matter how much talent they have or skill, they aren’t going to be able to make saves after that. I’ve seen so many goalies fail who have all the skill in the world, because they can’t handle getting scored on. They beat themselves. They could have the best technique, but they let up three goals in a row and they’re rattled. It doesn’t matter what their skill is, they totally forget it. For me, I try to stay at one level the whole time whether I’m making saves or letting in goals. I try and not be emotional out there. I trust my instincts. If I let in five goals in a row, hey, I trust my ability; I know I’ll make some saves. I’ll know when I won’t be able to see the ball, I’ll know when my reaction slows down, and when I’m struggling in a game. I don’t think it’s because I don’t think I’m slower or anything; I just think, hey, they’re taking some good shots. I trust my ability, and I’ll make the saves. Goalies get down on themselves, you know, if they let in five goals in a row. Some might not even be their fault, and even if it is, you just have to let it go. Just let it go…

[OldGoalie]

Maybe you could read up on sports psychology, or bring in a sports psychologist for a few practices to do some things like imagery, work on concentration, etc.

Here's a good link to a few topics in sports psychology:
http://www.mindtools.com/page11.html

[WHEELAX2]

No, drills are full speed. Looks more like the fear of screwing up. But I'm not a yeller, don't put kids down, etc. We'll be talking about it today as a team.


hmm.. are they afraid of contact??

[laxjunkie]

Not at all - most are football/soccer players.