Image by Jill Wellington
Youth hockey players who aspire to become top-performing athletes know that they need to work hard and put in the hours of practice to achieve their goals. However, it is not just about the amount of time spent on the ice or in the gym. The quality of practice matters just as much as the quantity—so let's talk about deliberate practice.
Deliberate practice refers to a focused and intentional effort to improve specific aspects of one's performance. It involves setting clear goals, receiving feedback, and making adjustments to improve one's skills. In the context of youth hockey, deliberate practice is crucial for several reasons.
As said by Dan Coyle, author of The Talent Code, the first step toward enhancing performance is realizing that improvement is possible only if you abandon business-as-usual practices. Doing so requires recognizing and rejecting three prevailing myths:
1. The belief that one’s abilities are limited by one’s genetically prescribed characteristics. That belief manifests itself in all sorts of “I can’t” or “I’m not” statements: “I’m just not very creative.” “I can’t play defense.” “I’m not any good at shooting.” “I can’t do much better than this.” But, as we’ve seen, the right sort of practice can help pretty much anyone improve in just about any area they choose to focus on. We can shape our own potential.
2. If you do something for long enough, you’re bound to get better at it. Again, we know better. Doing the same thing over and over again in exactly the same way is not a recipe for improvement; it is a recipe for stagnation and gradual decline.
3. All it takes to improve is effort. If you just try hard enough, you’ll get better. If you want to be a better winger, try harder. If you want to score more goals, try harder. If you want to improve your stickhandling, try harder. The reality is, however, that all of these things are specialized skills, and unless you are using practice techniques specifically designed to improve those particular skills, trying hard will not get you very far.
The deliberate-practice mindset offers a very different view: anyone can improve, but it requires the right approach. If you are not improving, it’s not because you lack innate talent; it’s because you’re not practicing the right way. Once you understand this, improvement becomes a matter of figuring out what the “right way” is.
Why Is Deliberate Practice Important?
Deliberate practice benefits players in a number of ways:
1. Helps players to develop proper technique and form. Correct technique is essential in hockey, and it is something that must be ingrained through repeated practice. Deliberate practice allows players to break down their skills into smaller parts and focus on perfecting each one.
2. Builds confidence. As players improve their skills, they gain confidence in their abilities. This confidence translates into better on-ice performance, allowing players to take risks and make plays that they may not have attempted before.
3. Helps players to overcome weaknesses. Every player has areas where they can improve, whether it is stickhandling, skating, or shooting. Deliberate practice allows players to identify these weaknesses and work on them until they become strengths.
4. Fosters a growth mindset. Players who engage in deliberate practice understand that they can always improve and that their skills are not fixed. This mindset encourages players to take risks and try new things, even if it means making mistakes along the way.
Photo by Troy T
So How Can I Make My Practice Deliberate?
Set Clear Goals: Identify specific areas of your game that you want to improve and set clear goals for yourself. These goals should be challenging yet achievable and broken down into smaller parts, so that you can focus on improving specific skills or aspects of your game.
Focus on Technique: Focus on proper technique and form. This means breaking down each skill or movement into smaller parts and practicing each part separately until you have mastered it. Once you have mastered each part, put them together and practice the entire skill or movement.
Seek Feedback: Seek feedback from your coach or other experienced players on your performance. Listen to their feedback and work to make the necessary adjustments to improve your skills.
Practice Regularly: Deliberate practice requires regular and consistent effort. Set aside time each day or week to practice your skills and work towards your goals.
Challenge Yourself: Deliberate practice involves pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. Challenge yourself by trying new drills or exercises, working on skills that you are not as confident in, and taking on new roles or responsibilities on the ice.
Monitor Progress: Keep track of your progress towards your goals and celebrate your successes along the way. This will help you to stay motivated and continue working towards your goals.
Remember that deliberate practice is not just about the quantity of practice, but also the quality. By setting clear goals, focusing on technique, receiving feedback, practicing regularly, challenging yourself, and monitoring your progress, you can practice deliberately and improve your skills as a hockey player.
Slow things down, speed them up, push yourself just beyond what you think you're capable of. Reach, fail, progress, repeat.
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