This past weekend, I spent everyday in the rink watching a few different tournaments running here in Toronto - and my team wasn’t even playing!  At this point in the season, I’m sure your team has been in at least 1 or 2  tournaments - I know some players and teams who have been in 4 or 5.   There is no doubt that tournaments are great fun. You probably remember just as much about what happened off the ice as what happened on the ice. It’s a terrific way for the team to bond and get some games in against  opponents you don’t face on a regular basis.
 

But there is nothing worse than showing up at a tournament and underperforming.   You spend all that time, energy (and money) only to give a mediocre effort. It’s frustrating for the coaches, players and parents.

Playing your best all tournament long is tough.  Especially when you’ve got games that are just a few hours apart or when you have to travel a long way.  In order to perform your best, and make sure you’re still playing on Sunday,  you’ve got to take care of all the details.  You can’t just expect to show up and win.  You’ve got to prepare.

I want to help you make your next tournament the best one ever.

That’s why I am giving you a free copy of the "Best Tournament Blueprint".

In this free report, you’ll find a step-by-step plan that will  help you to be at  your best both physically and mentally, whether it’s your first game of the tournament or your fifth. And as an added bonus, I have also included the "Blueprint Basics", an audio  recording where I talk you through the entire blueprint and show you exactly how to use it so that you play your best every time you hit the ice.
 

But before you go grab your free copy of the report and audio, I want to make sure you are getting the one that is right for you. I created 3 different versions of the plan:

==>  One is for COACHES.

==>  One is for PLAYERS.

==>  And one is for PARENTS.

Each of you are going to have slightly different roles in making sure the tournament is a success, so I personalized the audio for each of you.  Make sure that you click on the right link below to get the Blueprint  that’s been designed with you in mind.

COACH Blueprint:

==> http://totalfemalehockey.com/tournament_blueprint_coach_dl.shtml
 

PLAYER Blueprint:

==>  http://totalfemalehockey.com/tournament_blueprint_player_dl.shtml
 

PARENT Blueprint:

==>  http://totalfemalehockey.com/tournament_blueprint_parent_dl.shtml

 

Feel free to pass these links along to your fellow coaches, parents and teammates, so that they can have their best tournament too.

Enjoy and good luck at your next tournament.

Your friend and coach,

~ Kim

PS - I am thinking of running a 2-day camp here in Toronto on December 30-31st as a way to close out 2010 and start 2011 with a bang.  There will be a group for atom and peewee aged girls and one for bantam and midget aged girls and the camp will include 2 hours of ice and 2 hours of off-ice training each day.
 

If you are interested in receiving more information about this camp, please send me an email with the subject line, “Dec 2010 Camp” and include your daughter’s name, age and current team (name and playing level) and I will add you to the VIP list so  that you are the first to know when the camp registration is officially opened.

Kim McCullough, MSc, YCS
Director, Total Female Hockey
Girls Hockey Director, PEAC School for Elite Athletes

In order to become the best female hockey player possible, you have to be the best athlete and best person possible first.   I’ve been very fortunate to play with some of the best female hockey players in the world for over a decade and I can honestly say that lining up against players like Darwitz, Apps, Chu, Campbell, Ruggireo and Hefford is both humbling and inspiring.

And no other female hockey player in the world is more inspiring than Hayley Wickenheiser.   I remember when I first moved out to Calgary and had the opportunity to play and train with the best - including Hayley. Before I got there, I thought I was an extremely committed and focused player.   But after I met Hayley, I knew I wasn’t even close to the top of the totem pole when it came to determination and dedication.

I have never met anyone as intense and focused on achieving their dreams as Hayley - which is probably why she’s been on the national team for over 15 years.  She is a world-class player, an incredible role model, a hockey pioneer and a true humanitarian.   I have all the respect in the world for a woman who passionately pursues her dreams, and helps others achieve theirs, each and every day.  

That’s why when I heard about this amazing hockey festival Hayley is hosting out in British Columbia in April 2010, I knew it was something that Total Female Hockey absolutely had to be involved with.

The Wickenheiser International Women’s Hockey Festival is being presented by Hayley and Samsung from April 1-4 at Canlan Ice Sports 8 Rinks in Burnaby, British Columbia.  There will be 32 teams, from Peewee to Senior, in four different divisions, for a grand total of 1500 players, coaches and parents from every corner of the female hockey world.

But this is much more than just another tournament.

This is about building the whole person, not just hockey skill. The games are important of course, but they are only a piece of the puzzle. There are going to be on-ice and off-ice sessions run by female hockey experts for players, parents and coaches.

That’s where Total Female Hockey and I come in.

I will be out in Burnaby at the festival helping to educate and empower all the members of the female hockey community who join us at this amazing event.  I’m not sure exactly what my sessions will look like yet - but I plan on giving out as much information and inspiration as I can throughout the tournament.  And of course Hayley will be there at the entire tournament too - hopefully with a new Olympic medal in hand!

A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit two organizations dedicated to ensuring youth have access to sport in their lives - Right To Play & KidSport BC.

I am looking forward to participating in a terrific weekend filled with great experiences with world-class players, teams, coaches and organizations both on and off the ice.

If you are interested in joining us, there are still a few spots left for teams to be a part of this event.

For more information about this amazing event, visit: www.wickhockey.com  or contact Ceilidh (Kay-Lee) Price, Event Manager, ceilidh.price@cohnwolfe.ca

Hayley and I hope to see you there in April!

Your friend and coach,

~ Kim

Kim McCullough, MSc, YCS
Director, Total Female Hockey
Girls Hockey Director, PEAC School For Elite Athletes
 

This weekend, there will be over 500 teams participating in 3 huge girls hockey tournaments in the Toronto area. As of Monday, every single team and player I work with will have played in at least one tournament - some are already onto their second. There’s no doubt about it - pre-season means tournament time.

And playing your best all tournament long is tough.

That’s why I want to give you a free copy of the “Best Tournament Blueprint”.

In this free report, you’ll find a step-by-step plan that will help you to be at your best both physically and mentally, whether it’s your first game of the tournament or your sixth.

And as an added bonus, I have also included the “Blueprint Basics”, an audio recording where I talk you through the entire blueprint and show you exactly how to use it so that you play your best every time you hit the ice.

But before you go grab your free copy of the report and audio, I want to make sure you are getting the one that is right for you.

I created 3 different versions of the plan:

==> One is for COACHES.

==> One is for PARENTS.

==> And one is for PLAYERS.

Each of you are going to have slightly different roles in making sure the tournament is a success, so I personalized the audio for each of you.

Make sure that you click on the right link below to get the program that’s been designed with you in mind.

PLAYER Blueprint:

==> http://totalfemalehockey.com/tournament_blueprint_player.shtml

COACH Blueprint:

==> http://totalfemalehockey.com/tournament_blueprint_coach.shtml

PARENT Blueprint:

==> http://totalfemalehockey.com/tournament_blueprint_parent.shtml

Feel free to pass these links along to your fellow coaches, parents and teammates, so that they can have their best tournament too. Enjoy and good luck at your next tournament.

Your friend and coach,

Kim

Kim McCullough, MSc, YCS
Director, Total Female Hockey
Girls Hockey Director, PEAC School for Elite Athletes

I spent the entire day at a huge girls hockey tournament here in Toronto and realized 5 important things while hanging around the rink.
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When you are thinking about what to eat in between hockey games, you need to focus on taking in fuel that will speed up your recovery time, so that you will be ready to hit the ice again soon. First of all, you need to drink a lot of water and take in some high-energy fuel within the first 30 minutes. During this critical recovery window, you want to focus on foods that are higher in carbohydrates, “medium” in proteins and low in fat.  

So what’s the best thing for you to have after your hockey game to speed up recovery and make sure that you are feeling your best the next time you hit the ice?

The answer might surprise you….

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It’s 7 o’clock in the morning, you are on your way to a tournament game, and you haven’t eaten anything yet. You’ve got 2 options - eat nothing or go through the drive-thru. Even though most drive-thrus are nutritional wastelands, you are still much better off grabbing something than eating nothing at all. So what’s the best choice you can make that will give you the energy you need to perform your best?

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Do you want to know exactly what the university scouts are looking for from aspiring girls hockey players?

At this weekend’s midget showcase tournament outside Toronto, the arena is crawling with scouts. This is one of their biggest recruiting weekends of the season and many of the coaches from major universities and colleges are taking full advantage of the opportunity to see over 700 players in early season form.

I have known many of these coaches from back in my college days and I always pick their brains and ask them what they are looking for from young players.

And you know what they always tell me they want?

–> The Complete Package - both on and off the ice.

At a tournament with over 40 teams, scouts are going to see a lot of great skilled players.

And sometimes it is hard for these coaches to separate two prospects based solely on their on-ice ability.

And that’s where your dedication to off-ice development comes into play.

It’s what you do off the ice that can separate you from the rest of the pack in the eyes of the scouts.

Because every player looking to get to the next level is committed to working hard on the ice.

To stand out from the crowd, you have to be just as committed to being the best off the ice as you are to being the best on the ice.

I can guarantee you that those teams and players who were warming up before every game and cooling down afterwards are the ones who will be at the top of the standings at the end of the season and those who will stand out in the eyes of the scouts.

They might not be the best players in this particular tournament, but if they stay focused on these “little” details throughout the entire season, their commitment will pay off.

It only takes 10 minutes before you head out on the ice and 10 minutes after you get off the ice to completely transform the way you feel and perform.

If you want to be the best, you have to commit to do all the little things that make players great.

The message is simple:

Your hockey skills may allow you to compete at this level, but your off-ice dedication is what is going to allow you to get to the next level of the performance.

Until next time,

Kim

This weekend, I am going to be at one of the premiere hockey tournaments for elite girl’s hockey players just outside of Toronto.

40 midget-aged teams will be competing to take home the tournament title.

700 players will be looking to impress the many university scouts who will be on hand.

Some teams will play 6 or more games in a 3 day period.

That’s a lot of high-intensity playing in a short period of time and players need to make sure that they are doing everything they can to succeed.

Here are 4 keys to having your best tournament possible:

1) Warm-Up

In order to play your best in every game of the tournament, you have to do an off-ice warm-up. This could be as simple as doing 5 minutes of jogging, jumping jacks and lunges. It is easy to let this slide as the tournament wears on, but it will make a huge difference on how you feel when you step out on the ice.

2) Drink more water

Most hockey players don’t drink enough water. Although most players do a decent job of sipping on water bottles during the game, it is the amount of water that you drink in between games that is going to make the biggest difference in your performance. Make sure that you have a water bottle with you at all times and drink from it constantly. Even if you aren’t thirsty, drink more water.

3) Stay away from the snack bar

I usually refer to the rink snack bar as a “nutritional wasteland”. Typically, everything there is deep-fried or pre-packaged. The best solution to tournament nutrition is to bring healthy options with you — but if you need to go to the drive-thru in between games, at least make sure that you are making the healthiest choices possible.

4) Stretch more

Most hockey players don’t stretch enough. This can be a huge problem during tournament time because of the high volume of high-intensity games. It is unrealistic to expect players to go through a complete 20 minute stretching routine in between games, but performing a few hockey-specific stretches will go a long way to preventing soreness and maximizing performance.

Take the time to address these 4 key areas of performance and you will be well on your way to having your best tournament ever.

Until next time,

Kim