Preparing to perform your best at your next female hockey tryout is 90% mental. Whether you are two weeks or two days out from the first session, there isn’t a lot you can do to change your physical performance. Your physical preparation is important, but you are going to see the BIGGEST results from your mental preparation. There are 2 things you should do to make sure you are mentally prepared to standout at tryouts…

Here are the 2 things you can do to prepare for your next big girls hockey tryout:

1) Make a list of your 3 biggest strengths on the ice. What are the 3 things that you are the best at that are really going to make you stand out from everyone else? Remember, standing out doesn’t mean going on end-to-end rushes every time you touch the puck. It means that you focus on showcasing your strengths.

2) Write down 1 or 2 ways that you can show off each of your 3 strengths on the ice. For example, if you are a great two-way centre, then make sure you show how good you are at containing the opponent in the corners of the defensive zone. If you are an offensive defenseman, then make sure you are getting low shots in to the net from the point that either go right in or create a great rebound opportunity for your teammates. Goalies need to focus on their strengths too - if you are great at handling the puck around your net, make sure that you show the coaches your strength. Obviously, if you are a great playmaker and you are doing a skating drill, you can’t show off that particular strength. You’ll have to pick your spots - and I am sure there will be plenty of opportunity to show those coaches and scouts what you’ve got.

Follow these two steps to make sure that you are completely prepared to standout at the tryout:

- Know what your strengths are
- Know when and where to showcase them.

And remember to Work Hard and Dream BIG.

~ Coach Kim