TCP Roadmap: Mastering the Hockey Mind: Part 4: Right Performance

Resilience, competence level, and grit

As we wrap up our four-part series on the mental toughness of elite players, we tackle arguably the most crucial traits that often make the difference between good players and legends: resilience, competitive level, and grit. From the foundation of purpose and mindset to the rigor of focus and deliberate practice, every step has been building towards these defining characteristics.

RESILIENCE:

Throughout your hockey journey, setbacks are inevitable. Injuries, losses, missed opportunities Resilience is the ability to bounce back from these adversities and to rise stronger and more determined after a fall. It's about viewing challenges not as insurmountable obstacles but as stepping stones to greatness. A resilient player doesn't just recover; they learn, adapt, and bounce back with a vengeance. Remember, it's not the knockdowns but the comebacks that define a true champion.

COMPETE-LEVEL:

Every player trains, but how many truly compete? Compete-Level isn’t just about participation; it's about an insatiable hunger to win and to be the best on the ice every single time, whether in practice or games. Where do you sit on the competitive-level dial? Are you assertive or aggressive? Tenacious or fierce? Being a complete player means being an ultra-competitive player. It's the fire that burns within, pushing you to challenge every competitor, no matter how strong. A high competitive level means giving your all every second, refusing to be outworked or outplayed. It's a competitive spirit that demonstrates to the world that you will never give up.

GRIT:

Perhaps the crowning jewel on our list, grit encapsulates sheer perseverance and passion for long-term goals. It's the relentless drive that makes athletes push through pain, fatigue, and all forms of adversity. Grit is what keeps you going when everything else screams for you to quit. It's about vision, stamina, and an unwavering commitment to your dream. Gritty players don't rely on talent alone; they embrace the grind, knowing that it's the price of greatness.

Be sure to check out my book "Hockey Grit, Grind, and Mind", available at Amazon and GritGrindMind.net.

In wrapping things up, it's clear that becoming a complete player isn't just about physical skills. It's also about what's going on in our heads. We've talked about the importance of knowing your purpose, being aware of yourself, and having the right mindset. Each piece is like a puzzle that, when put together, makes you not only a complete player but also a better individual. Remember, training the mind is just as important as training the body. By getting both right, you're setting yourself up for real success, both on and off the ice.

Your journey with this roadmap isn't a one-and-done experience. What you'll find is that every time you move up a level, you are going to find yourself having to revisit some or all of the different milestones we've talked about so far.

The goals, mindset, resilience, and competitive level of the youth player aren't the same as those of the junior player, the college player, or the pro player. Every big step you take on your hockey journey will require an adjustment to your hockey mind. The reason I love this roadmap so much is because the more times you go through it, the more automatic it becomes for you. In the beginning, many of the things you're learning and practicing are things you do.

But, as you go through it more and more, these different milestones on your hockey journey aren't things you do; they're who you become. It's who you are.

Becoming a complete player doesn't just happen once. It happens over and over throughout your hockey journey.

Keep this roadmap with you throughout your journey, and you'll always know where you are and where you're going.

Good luck, and I'll see you at the rink.

Click here if you're interested in how a mental game coach can help you or your player improve their performance, results, and enjoyment in the game 

Click here if you're interested in learning what your hockey type is. It's like a hockey personality and temperament assessment that gives you a lot of cool insight into the kind of hockey player you are.

Click here if you want to boost your mental toughness in hockey.

Click here if you want to learn more about how to work with me personally to ensure your mental game is as strong as your physical game. We all know how big a part the mental game plays in a player's success. Don't leave yours up to chance. Learn about the many options available to improve this part of your game.

Click here to read Part 1

Click here to read Part 2

Click here to read Part 3