Fail to Plan, Plan to Fail: Hockey Tryouts 101

Hockey tryouts can be a nerve-wracking experience for kids, but with the right preparation, you can feel confident and ready to show your skills on the ice. In this blog post, I'll provide some tips on how kids can prepare for hockey tryouts.

• Get in shape: Hockey requires a lot of physical fitness, so it's important for kids to be in good shape before tryouts. I encourage you to exercise regularly, focusing on activities that will improve their strength, endurance, and agility. Activities such as running, biking, and swimming can help improve cardiovascular endurance, while strength training exercises such as squats, lunges, and push-ups can help build muscle. Search YouTube for training videos!

• Practice skating skills: Skating is a crucial skill in hockey, so it's important for kids to practice their skating skills as much as possible before tryouts. I encourage you to attend open skating sessions or sign them up for skating lessons. You can also practice at home by practicing crossovers, stops, and turns.

• Work on stickhandling and shooting: Kids should also focus on improving their stickhandling and shooting skills. You can practice by shooting pucks into a net or stickhandling around cones or obstacles. Practice with both your dominant and non-dominant hands to improve your coordination.

• Attend hockey camps or clinics: Attending a hockey camp or clinic can provide kids with additional training and coaching before tryouts. These programs often include drills and skill-building exercises specific to hockey, as well as scrimmage games to help you practice your team play.

• Get plenty of rest: Getting enough rest is crucial to perform your best during tryouts. Make sure you're getting enough sleep each night and I encourage you to take breaks and relax during the day to prevent burnout.

• Prepare mentally: Tryouts can be stressful, so it's important to prepare mentally as well. I encourage you to visualize yourself performing well during tryouts and to focus on positive self-talk. Remind yourself that tryouts are an opportunity to learn and improve, regardless of the outcome.

In conclusion, preparing for hockey tryouts requires a combination of physical and mental preparation. I encourage you to get in shape, practice your skating skills, work on stickhandling and shooting, attend hockey camps or clinics, get plenty of rest, and prepare mentally. With the right preparation, you can feel confident and ready to show your skills on the ice. Good luck!