Never underestimate the power of feedback. Whether positive or negative, it is absolutely critical to the success of every player and every team. We all want to know how we “stack up” so that we know how to improve. And when this feedback comes from people we not only respect, but also want to perform well for, like our coaches and college scouts, it can make or break our season and sometimes even our career.

 

 

Let me give you an example of feedback from my own hockey career that not only transformed my performance, but my entire team’s…

 

In my third year of college, our team was ranked #1 in the country for the entire season. We were a team of great players who started the year off on a 20-game winning streak.

 

 

Although we were a great team, we didn’t really have any true superstars. What I mean by that is that the majority of our players played a significant on-ice role in our team’s success and we didn’t rely on two or three players to carry the load. All three of our lines were legitimate scoring threats - our top three scorers all played on different lines. We had 3 defensive pairs that were equally strong and saw equal time on both the power-play and penalty-kill units. Our goalies rotated in the starting position - not because our coach wanted them to have equal ice time - but because they were both equally as good.

 

 

What a problem to have, right?

 

 

As you can imagine, most teams had a lot of trouble matching up with us because of the depth of our talent.

 

 

Our problem wasn’t our performance. It was that most players were having difficulty defining their role on the team and weren’t getting the feedback they needed to know how they stacked up.

 

 

For example, if you are the leading scorer on the team, you generally think that you will be out on the ice for every power-play situation and every time you are down a goal at the end of the game. If, as a goalie, you got a shut-out the night before, you expect to have the chance to play the next day.

 

 

It turned out that our greatest strength - depth - was also the biggest problem for us players, as well as for the coaches.

 

 

We continued our winning ways, but as we were getting closer to the playoffs, there was a strange feeling in the air. Some players were frustrated that they weren’t getting the opportunities to play that they felt they deserved. Others were nervous that they would lose their precious playing time once the playoffs began. We were no longer the happy, go-lucky #1 team that we had been at the beginning of the year, even though we were still ranked #1.

 

 

Our coaches could have just called each one of us into their office and asked us what we thought our role was and then told us what they believed our role was.  But they did something really great.  They turned our personalized feedback session into a team event.

Before practice, the coaches called us over to the boards. They told us that they realized we were struggling with identifying our individual roles on the team and wanted to take this opportunity to share their thoughts about each of us in front of the team. They pulled out cue cards with individual feedback on each player and proceeded to read each player’s card aloud right then and there.

 

 

Now before you get all worried about players getting embarrassed about hearing what the coaches really thought in front of the entire team, we were given the option of not having them read out the card. But no one took that option.  It was actually pretty neat to hear what the coaches really thought about each and every player on the team. The cards were very positive and focused on each player’s individual strengths and how those abilities benefited the team as a whole.

 

 

We all of a sudden knew exactly where each and every one of us stood, what we brought to the table and what we were going to be counted upon to do as we went into the playoffs so that the team would succeed. For the most part, the comments confirmed what we already knew and believed about each other. But the act of the coaches not only addressing the issue in front of the team, but doing so on an individual level, was transformative.

 

 

Long story short - I still have that card on my wall in my office. It is undoubtedly the most powerful piece of feedback I ever received in my entire hockey career. Every time I read it, it makes me so proud of what I was able to accomplish in my first 3 years at school, but even more proud of what our team achieved.

 

 

So never underestimate the power of feedback.

 

 

I would really appreciate if you could take a moment and give me a little bit of feedback about how Total Female Hockey can help you get to the next level? Whether you are a player, parent or coach, I want to help you achieve all of your goals for next season.

 

So HOW CAN I HELP YOU?

 

 Email me at kim@totalfemalehockey.com. 

 

Your friend and coach,

 

 

Kim

 

 

 

Let’s face it - there’s no money in girls’ hockey. No one is going to be signing million dollar, multi-year contracts to play professional women’s hockey any time soon.  A few women are able to make a living by playing hockey,  but I would say that number is well under 50 world-wide.  

 

 

I would love to be able to tell you that this will be a realistic goal for aspiring young girls’ sooner than later, but the reality is that women’s hockey is neither marketable enough or competitive enough at its highest levels right now to make this dream a reality anytime in the near future. AND to be honest with you,  I don’t think that is a BAD thing at all.  

 

 

Sure, we’d love to have equality to the men’s game and be able to play all over North America and support ourselves and our family playing the game we love, but we need to be realistic.

 

 

For the majority of girls’ hockey players, their competitive playing days are done after high school.  A smaller subset of the population will continue to play in college and university.  And an even smaller number will have the opportunity to tryout for and represent their country on the international stage.  

 

 

So all that being said, what’s a realistic goal for an aspiring girls’ hockey player who is willing to put in the time and effort needed to get to the next level?

 

 

:::::  To leverage their athletic ability to get a better academic opportunity.  :::::

 

 

The truth of the matter is, we are going to make our living for what we do away from the rink and not from what we do on it.  It is your education that is going to get you where you want to be in life, not your ability to shoot a slap-shot.  That being said though, I know of many players who were able to use their athletic ability, in combination with their academic prowess, to get the chance to study at some of the best universities in the world - myself included.  

 

Although I was a very strong student in high school, I would not have been able to get into an Ivy League school based solely on my academic ability.  However,  because of my hockey ability, I was recruited by most of the Ivy League schools and was able to make the choice to study at one of the best academic institutions in the world, while also playing the sport I loved.    

 

 

The best we can do as female hockey players is to leverage our athletic ability to get a better academic opportunity.  And I think this is much more realistic than the legions of male hockey players who are chasing the NHL dream and sometimes sacrificing their academics in order to do so.

 

 

 

::: So the best advice I can give you is to work as hard in the classroom as you do on the ice - if not harder. :::

 

 

 

So as you go through spring tryouts, summer hockey, regional team tryouts and showcase tournaments, and things seem to get that much more cut-throat and intense, remember that no one is getting drafted here.  You will graduate high school and hopefully go on to college or university.  If you work very hard, you’ll get the opportunity to study and play hockey at the same time.  And when your hockey is done, it’s your education that will count the most.

 

 

Keep Working Hard and Dreaming BIG - on the ice and in the classroom.

 

~ Coach Kim

 

 

PS -  OUR 2011 SUMMER CAMP SCHEDULE IS COMPLETE!

We’ve finalized the details of all our Summer Camps.  We start up with camps throughout May and run all the way through to the end of August.  We’ve got camps for every age and ability level -  check out the link below for all details!

http://totalfemalehockeyclub.com/camps-schools/

 
 
 

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

The next few weeks of hockey are pretty hectic here in Ontario.  The provincial championships are this weekend, the biggest girls hockey tournament in the world is next weekend and then tryouts for next year’s teams start the next day.  It’s a stressful time for players, parents and coaches alike. So this is a message for all the players who are nervous and excited about the tryouts.  With big games and critical tryouts just around the corner, there is one thing you need more than anything else and that’s…

 

==>  CONFIDENCE

 

You aren’t going to drastically change your skills between now and tryouts.  But you can dramatically improve your confidence in a short period of time.   Confidence comes from inside you - not from your parents, coaches, teammates or friends.  You have complete control over it.  So to help to get you ready for the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead in the next few weeks…

 

… Here are 8 of my favorite quotes about CONFIDENCE.

 

::  Confidence is preparation.  Everything else is beyond your control.

 

::  Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent.

(Meaning:  There is NO reason anything anyone says or does has to make you feel bad about yourself. You choose the way you interpret what happens to you.)

 

::  It’s not who you are that holds you back, it’s who you think you’re not.  

 

::  We have to learn to be our own best friends because we fall too easily into the trap of being our own worst enemies.

 

::  The way you treat yourself sets the standard for others.

(Meaning:  If you put yourself down or think you aren’t good enough, you are opening the door for others to treat you the same way).  

 

::  Nothing reduces the odds against you like ignoring them.

 

 

 

::  Whether you think you can or think you can’t - you are right.

 

::  Don’t let anyone steal your dream.  It’s your dream, not theirs.

 

I hope that one of the quotes above really speaks to you and helps you to get ready for the challenges ahead.  Remember to stay focused on the 2 things you’ve got control over - your attitude and your work ethic.
 
 
Work Hard and Dream BIG.

Good luck!

Your friend and coach,

 

Kim

 

PS - ANNOUNCING 3 MORE CAMPS - COMING IN MAY!!!

This past weekend, we ran our first-ever Total Female Hockey POSITION-SPECIFIC clinic for forwards and defensemen.  Over 60 players participated in the 2 hour on-ice camp and learned the secrets of how to play their position more effectively.   The clinic was such a success that we will be running 3 more in May.

The dates are Sunday May 1st, Sunday May 15th and Sunday May 29th. All clinics will be at Chesswood Arena in Toronto and we will have an  Atom/Peewee age group and a Bantam/Midget age group at each clinic.

 

There are critical position-specific skills that you must learn and master in order to get to and excel at the next level. This is your chance to work on  those specific skills. 

We can only accept 15 defenseman and 15 forwards into each age group for the camp, so you’ll have to take action quickly to secure your spot today.

 

Click on the link below for more information:

http://totalfemalehockeyclub.com/camps-schools/position_specific_camps/

 

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

In order to be an elite level hockey player, you’ve got to be able to skate, shoot, pass, stickhandle and check effectively at high speeds. (Sorry goalies - I’m not going to pretend that I know exactly what you need to do to play at the elite level. But I will ask an expert and find out for you!)  There are lots of players out there who have the skills…But do they actually know how to play their position effectively?

 

For both forwards and defensemen, there are 5 position-specific abilities that you must excel at in order to play at the elite level. I’m not talking just about “game sense” here - although game-sense is critical to being to able to excel at the abilities below.  These are much more specific than that.  I played both forward and defense at the elite level and it took a lot more than just general “game sense” to allow me to compete at that level - I had to learn the nitty-gritty details of each position.

 

**** ANNOUNCING… BRAND NEW POSITION-SPECIFIC CAMPS ****

For the first time ever, I will be running Total Female Hockey POSITION-SPECIFIC CAMPS for forwards & defenseman.  On Sunday April 3rd, we will be working on the 5 critical abilities you’ll find listed below. 

 

To find out more and reserve your spot, click on the link below:

 

==>  http://totalfemalehockeyclub.com/camps-schools/position_specific_camps/ 

 

 

DEFENSEMEN:

:::: Moving The Puck:  The ability for a defenseman to make a quick and smart first pass is critical.  It is the key to an effective breakout and one of the things that coaches at the elite levels are looking for from every defenseman.  Your ability to use your partner effectively and keep multiple passing options open are also crucial. And your ability to move the puck without telegraphing where you’re going to pass it is absolutely critical. 

 

:::: Board Play:   Are you able to gain and maintain control of the puck and player along the boards by using your stick and body effectively? 

 

:::: Net Front Play:  Can you use your body and stick effectively protect your goalie and move the screen from the path of the shot?  Can you tie up the player without getting out of position?  And the one that is most critical in my mind:  can you clear loose pucks without turning the puck over to the other team? 

 

:::: Neutral Zone Play:  Are you able to read the other team’s attack and adjust to different situations (1v1, 2v1, 3v1, 2v2)?  Do you understand when to “step-up” and hold the blue line?  Are you able to play the body effectively - without taking a penalty?  Can you control the puck and initiate the attack - instead of just throwing the puck back to the other team?  That last one is a HUGE pet peeve of mine - when defenseman just throw the puck back into traffic instead of controlling the play. 

 

:::: Point Play:  Do you know when to pinch and when to back off?  Can you play the body without taking a penalty?  Can you read when you can jump in for the attack?  Do you know what shot to use when - or when you should just throw it in the corner?

 

FORWARDS:

 

:::: Playmaking:  Do you know when to move the puck and when to hang on to it (in the defensive, neutral and offensive zones)?  Do you know how to support your teammates when they have the puck so they can make a play to you?  Can you make a play without telegraphing where the puck is going?

 

:::: Ability To Break Into Openings:  In my opinion, your ability to read time and space on the ice is the one ability that separates good players from great players.  Do you understand when you should be going full-speed and when you need to slow down and “save” ice?  Being able to do this effectively is absolutely crucial if you want to get to and play at the next level. 

 

:::: Defensive Play:  This isn’t about more than just how you play in your defensive zone (which is absolutely critical by the way).  Do you understand how to forecheck and backcheck properly?  Are you a reliable 2-way forward? 

 

:::: Puck Protection:  This is really important for defensemen as well, but it is especially critical for forwards.  Can you protect the puck along the boards on the breakout to make sure you get it out?  Can you win battles in the corner in the offensive zone?  Do you know how to drive around a defenseman without putting the puck in a position where it can be taken away? 

 

:::: Scoring Ability:  Not everyone is a 50 goal scorer.  You don’t have to fill the net, but do you know how to use the right shot at the right time?  Do you know how to get your body in the right position to put the puck in the net? 

 

So there you have it - the most critical “position-specific” abilities for defensemen and forwards.  Just like you need to be taught how to skate, shoot, pass, and stickhandle
properly, you also need to learn the secrets of how to execute these 5 key position-specific abilities effectively and at high speeds.

 

 

That’s why we’re running our POSITION-SPECIFIC SKILL CAMP on Sunday April 3rd - to help you learn exactly what you need to do to play your position effectively so that you can get to (and excel at) the next level.

 

To find out more and reserve your spot, click on the link below:

==>  http://totalfemalehockeyclub.com/camps-schools/position_specific_camps/

 

 

Please feel free to pass this email along to anyone who might be interested in the information.

 

Keep Working Hard and Dreaming BIG.

Your friend and coach,

Kim

 

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

Originally I was going to title this week’s newsletter: “Choosing A Team For Next Season”, but as I was writing it out, I realized that when it comes to deciding where your daughter should play next season, the most critical factor is coaching. 

 

Sure, girls want to play with their friends, they want to have fun and the logistics of getting to and from practices and games are all critical factors in your ultimate decision.  But whether you are just starting rep hockey or are starting to make choices about college hockey programs, coaching should be the single biggest factor you consider when making your decision on where to play next season.

 

Every coach you speak to is going to try to sell you on the unique features of their program.  For the most part, every team will have a few practices a week, will play between 30-60 games, and enter a handful of tournaments.  Some programs will include off-ice training, specific skill and goalie training, and address the areas of nutrition and mental performance. These details will not differ too greatly between teams that are competing at the same level.

 

Everyone wants to play on the “best” team possible.  But what does “best” mean for you?  Does it mean the team with the best record this season?  Because there is no guarantee that they will be able to repeat that kind of success next year.  Does it mean the team with the best players?  Because we’ve all seen teams that look terrific on paper and have the most individually skilled players on paper, but they can’t put it all together as a team.  Does being on the best team mean choosing the team with the best coach? 

 

I believe it does…

 

… But what not every coach is going to be the best choice for your daughter.

 

 

Before you choose a coach, make sure you do the following:

 

1)  Ask other parents and players if they know about that coach.

This is especially helpful if you can speak to someone who has played for that coach before.  This will likely provide you with  the greatest insight into what this coach is like and how they treat their players and work with their team.

 

2)  Meet with/speak with the prospective coach to find out what their philosophy is with respect to team & player development.

 

This should be done well in advance of tryouts.  Although I realize that not every player is going to have a great deal of choices for teams to play on next season, here in Toronto, there are typically 5-8 different choices for teams at each age and ability level.  Not every “AA”  or “B” team is going to offer the same program.  You have to make sure you get your questions answered from the coach themselves. 

 

I would suggest sending the coach an email to set up a time to talk.  In your email, include 3-5 of your biggest questions so that they have the chance to prepare and you can keep the conversation to a reasonable length (us coaches are doing a lot of talking these days).  Also ask them if they have an outline of their program plans for next season that they can send you - this might actually help answer many of your questions in advance of your conversation.

 

3)  Watch the coach in an actual hockey practice.

I cannot overstate how critical this is.  The team’s program may look great on paper and the coach may have said all the right things in your conversation, but don’t make any decisions until you see them in action on the ice.  Practices are where your daughter is going to learn new skills, concepts, and strategies and it is very eye-opening to watch how the coach instructs and interacts with their players on  the ice.  You will learn a great deal about the coach and their staff in a relatively short period of time this way.

 

4)  Watch the coach in an actual game.

You should make an effort to watch this coach on the bench during a game.  You will see how they manage their players and staff, what the atmosphere surrounding the team is like and how the team responds to instruction.

 

That shouldn’t seem like too much work - especially since your daughter will be spending 6-8 months of the year under the guidance of this individual. You need to do your homework on the coaches just in the same way that they are doing their homework on players. 

 

And always remember, this choice is about more than Xs and Os and who wins the most games.  You want to have a coach who has all the required technical knowledge and the ability to run an effective practice and game.  But most importantly, you want to work with a coach who is going to encourage, develop, “push” and inspire your daughter to become the best she can possibly be and create the best possible environment for the team and players to succeed.

 

Your friend and coach,

Kim

 

PS - I’ve still got a handful of spots left in my Total Female Hockey 2-Day March Break Camp. All the details are included below - make sure to sign-up soon if you want to guarantee your spot in this high-intensity camp.

 

When Is It?
Saturday March 19th and Sunday March 20th, 2011

 

What Is It?
A 2-day high intensity ON and OFF ice training camp for dedicated players who want to get an advantage at the end of the season. You will be working on your speed, skills and conditioning ON the ice and you will also work on your speed, strength, quickness, and conditioning OFF the ice so that you head into your final games of the season feeling and performing your best.

 

 

Where Is It?
Chesswood Arena  (4000 Chesswood Drive, Toronto, Ontario)

 

 

Who Is It For?
Dedicated players who want to work hard while learning and developing their skills on the ice.  This is NOT an “easy” camp.  You will work hard, learn new skills and have a lot of fun in the process.

 

We are splitting skaters into 2 groups based on age:

 

Group 1 - Atom & Peewee:  ON-ice 9:00am-11:00am, OFF-ice 11:30am-1:00pm

Group 2 - Bantam & Midget:  OFF-ice 9:00am-10:30am, ON-ice 11:00am-1:00pm

 

We’ve only got 5 spots left in each group - so please make sure to take action quickly if you want to secure your spot. 

 

 

What Is The Cost?

The cost for the camp is $100 CDN per player (plus HST).

 

::::  HOW TO REGISTER  ::::

 

=>  ATOM & PEEWEE group: Click on the link below to register - Only 5 spots left!

 

http://www.1shoppingcart.com/SecureCart/SecureCart.aspx?mid=D0EE400E-B774-4402-9667-F341B2106AA0&pid=1b12cf59b9c54ceea97ba7788310eba8

 

=>  BANTAM & MIDGET group:  Click on the link below to register - Only 5 spots left!

 

 

http://www.1shoppingcart.com/SecureCart/SecureCart.aspx?mid=D0EE400E-B774-4402-9667-F341B2106AA0&pid=8f50f072b50249ca822e4021974979b5

 

 

 

Every girls hockey player wants to be the one the coach calls upon to win the big game in the playoffs.  Every goalie wants to be in for the games that “matter”. Every forward wants to score the game-winner and every defenseman wants to be out there in the last minute blocking shots to preserve the one goal lead.  But not every player on the team is going to get that chance. That might not be your role.

 

Sometimes you’re having the game of your life and you get to go out every other shift.  And sometimes you can’t make a pass on the tape, you’re giving off huge rebounds or you can’t hit the net with your shot, and you end up on the bench. No one wants to be on the bench when it matters. But that’s not something that’s in your control.  And focusing on things that you can’t control gets you nowhere fast.

 

Success in the playoffs is all about TEAM. And on any given team, every player has a different role.  Those roles may change from game-to-game or shift-to-shift.  In order to win when it matters, every player must play their role to the best of their ability.  And the reality is - you might not like the role you play. You may not get the opportunity you think you deserve during those big games. 

 

When that happens - and it happens to all of us -  you need to remember this:

 

::::  You can’t always choose your role, but you can choose how you play it.  ::::

 

In order for your team to succeed, you’ve got to play your role to the best of your ability, even when you don’t agree with the role you’ve been given.  It’s one of the hardest things to do - especially in the playoffs when every shift matters and there is so much emotion and tension in the air.

 

No matter what your role is in the game - you’ve got to support your teammates and they’ve got to support you. If you are the one who is going out every other shift, you need to know that your teammates are cheering you on and not talking behind your back about how they should be out there instead of you.  They’d love to be the ones out on the ice as well, but that may not be their role in this particular game. Remember that at some point the roles will be reversed.  You may find yourself on the bench the next game and your teammate may be getting the shot to win it all.

 

How are you going to choose to react?

 

If you are the one who is getting short-shifted, and you choose to pout on the bench and whisper to your teammates about how you deserve to be out there instead of so-and-so, you’ve made your choice.  Chances are that your coach sees that and probably isn’t going to give you the opportunity to go out there and win it all in the future, because your actions are hurting the team instead of helping it.

 

You are allowed to be angry and frustrated that you aren’t the one being given the shot to win it all - but you can’t show that to your teammates. Even though it tears you up inside, your role for the last few minutes of the game may be to cheer on your teammates.  You’ve got to make a very conscious effort not to complain or show your frustration.  Your willingness to be a good teammate and to pretend that the coaches’ choice doesn’t really faze you (even though you are absolutely furious) will get noticed
by the coaches as well.  They will see that you have bought into the TEAM concept and have chosen to do whatever it takes to help the team succeed. Having that “team first” attitude is what will eventually earn you the opportunity to be one of the chosen few on the ice in the last minute of the big game. 

 

It says a lot about you as a player, and as a person, to make  the choice to play whatever role you’ve been placed in to the best of your ability - even if you don’t agree with it.  So as you get deeper into the playoffs, and the stakes only get higher, please remember:

 

::  You can’t always choose your role, but you can choose how you play it. :::

 

Keep Working Hard, Dreaming BIG and Think TEAM first.

 

Your friend and coach,

 

Kim

Kim McCullough, MSc, YCS

Director, Total Female Hockey
Girls Hockey Director, PEAC School For Elite Athletes
 

Playoffs are now underway here in Toronto, which means that tryouts for next year’s teams are just around the corner.  And that means that the "politics" of hockey are about to wreak havoc on all of us. The mixture of playoffs and impending tryouts takes all of our stress levels through the roof.  We’re all worried that we might make the wrong choice, that what people are telling us is not the truth, and that we won’t end up with the team we’d hoped for.  The truth is - we’re all in the same boat as players, parents and coaches. 

 

I’ll be coaching a Bantam AA team next season and I’ve pretty much been in the rinks almost every night watching games, making sure that I know exactly what kind of player I’m looking for to fill out my roster.  I want to create the best possible environment for our player’s and team to succeed next season and I’m putting in a lot of work to ensure that this is the reality.  This is really no different than parents and players doing their homework about different teams and organizations to make sure they find the best “fit” possible.

 

After all, us coaches don’t want to make a mistake either.  We know we are going to have make tough decisions.  We will have to cut players who just don’t fit as pieces in our team puzzle.  We are going to have to tell some kids, “No”, which is something that never gets easier to do.  It’s not just about reducing numbers - it’s about making decisions that temporarily short-circuit the dreams of players.  I know I don’t take making decisions like that lightly.  As coaches, we often have to cut good players because we feel there was another player that was better for a particular role or position on  the team. We are looking for the 17 players that make up the best team, not necessarily the 17 best players.

 

Putting together a team is a game of numbers, of roles, of needs and of responsibilities.  When someone doesn’t make it, they initially feel hurt or even angry.  There is no getting around the emptiness, rejection and even embarrassment.  That’s understandable.  I’ve been there my fair share of times as a player and it never gets any easier to hear “No”. 

 

But it’s not getting cut from a team that matters.  It’s what you do next that defines you as a player and person.

 

:::  Do you use that as a source of motivation to drive you to become an even better player who would make that team (or an even better team) in the future?

 

:::  Or do you make excuses and point fingers that bring other players down?

 

As tough as it is as a coach to make cuts, it’s a lot tougher on the player and her parents. What isn’t constructive is making excuses for your child by saying it was a political decision or that the coach made the wrong decision (which might even be the case).  If you make excuses, you are only teaching your daughter to deflect responsibility and discount the abilities of others.

 

I can assure you that as coaches, we are trying to get it right.  It’s very very hard to try to figure out the best combination of players. If there are 17 players on a team, odds are the practically every coach would agree on the top 8 or 9 players for the team.  And most coaches will agree on the next 4 or 5 that should be on the team.  But picking those last 4 or 5 players to fill out the roster is tough - and more often than not the coaches’ don’t all agree.  That’s when  our job is the hardest and that’s when feelings get hurt. 

 

So as we head deeper into playoff season and the harsh reality of tryouts looms over everyone’s heads, I wanted to share 8 motivational sayings that help keep me on track for success both on and off the ice.  I hope that they inspire you as we head into the hardest part of the year. 

 

1. Focus on what you can control.

2. Live your life like most people do and you’re going to settle for what
most people get. If you want more, you have to do more.

3. ‘Trying’ isn’t enough. It’s an excuse.  Either you’re doing something
or you’re not.

4. You never fail until you quit, make excuses or die.

5. Plan every day.  Success isn’t an accident.

6. Focus on getting 1% better each day.  Small improvements add up.

7. Failure is part of the process.  Accept it.  Learn from it.  Move on.

8. If you’re waiting for circumstances to be different (or perfect) - you’re in for a long wait.  Stop waiting and start doing.

 

Keep Working Hard, Dreaming BIG and Taking Action.

 

Please pass this along to anyone you know who might benefit from hearing this message going into this hectic time of the year.

 

Your friend and coach,

 

~ Kim

 

Kim McCullough, MSc, YCS

Director, Total Female Hockey

Girls Hockey Director, PEAC School For Elite Athletes

 

 

No two female hockey players are the same.  So why do we constantly compare ourselves to others?  Comparisons are the #1 confidence killer in girls’ hockey. 

 

 

Here’s the problem:

 

 

When girls compare themselves to other, they generally focus on what makes others better than they are.  That makes them concentrate on their own weaknesses, which hurts their confidence.  I’m not saying that you shouldn’t look up to players who are more talented than you are and strive to get up to their level of performance. You absolutely must have that kind of drive to get to the next level.

 

 

But I’m not talking about those players who are your role models and signposts for your improvement as an athlete. I’m talking about comparing yourself to your teammates and the players you play against regularly.

 

 

 

There is always going to be someone you play against who skates better than you, or has a better slap-shot, or has more points, or more shut-outs, or more fancy moves, or more coaches & scouts recruiting them.  The truth is that you shouldn’t be wasting your time, energy and focus worrying about how much better another player is than you or how you should be the one that is the favorite because you are really the best at
skill X, Y and Z.

 

 

And I’m not just talking to the players here either.

 

 

As a coach, I sometimes catch myself doing this too.  When I am helping a player on a skill or with a concept during the game, I sometimes slip into mentioning how another player does it really well.  And while I might think it is a great that they can watch that player execute that skill and learn from it, I also realize that the player I am talking to is probably thinking to herself, “Coach thinks that player is better than me.”

 

 

It’s not what I am trying to say at all of course - but perception is reality.

 

 

I can’t let the parents off the hook on this one either.  I think we sometimes forget that we can be doing more harm than good by comparing our player’s performance directly to someone else.  You will certainly never help your daughter’s confidence by putting another player down in order to make her feel better about her own performance.  Not every parent does this - but I’ve seen it being done far too many times. I can guarantee you that you are sending a poor message to your daughter - namely that it’s OK to put someone else down to make you feel better about yourself.  Whether you are legitimately better than that player or not, it is not a constructive comparison. 

 

 

Directly comparing player to player is unfair and unrealistic. Every single player brings something unique and valuable to the table. We must recognize that as coaches and parents, and communicate that to our daughters and players on a regular basis.

 

 

Because as we all know, confidence is king in hockey and in life.  If a player is constantly comparing herself to others, she loses her ability to focus on what she does well and what she needs to do to  play her best.  To be confident, she must own her strengths and know that delivering on those strengths are what make her and her team perform at the highest level.

 

 

Stop comparing yourself and focus on your strengths. 

 

 

Keep Working Hard and Dreaming BIG.

 

 

Your friend and coach,

 

 

Kim

 

PS - I have finally sorted out the 2011 Total Female Hockey Camp Schedule.  We’ve got upcoming camps in February and March, as well as camps running all summer long. 

 

You can download the TFH 2011 Camp Brochure here:

http://www.totalfemalehockey.com/brochure2011

 

If you are interested in being placed on the VIP list for any of these camps,  please email me back ASAP.

 

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

 

 

The truth is that you can do all the hard work on the ice and do all the “little” things off the ice to get yourself ready for those rare opportunities when the college coaches and scouts watch you play.  But it’s not enough. I’ve seen far too many players pour their heart and soul into training hard, playing hard and working hard in the classroom and they still don’t reach their ultimate goal of playing college hockey.

 

There were prepared, but they weren’t proactive.

 

They did the work, but they didn’t take the action necessary to have the college coaches and scouts notice and recruit them.

 

They were just sitting around waiting for the “scholarship fairy” to come.

 

They thought that if they just did the work to make themselves the best players and students possible, that it would be enough.  They thought the scouts would magically find them and start recruiting them for their team. But good players with good marks are everywhere.

 

So how are you going to stand out?

 

The truth is that unless you are in the top 1-3% of players, you’ve got to initiate the recruiting process on your own. You’ve got to find ways - beyond your play on the ice - to make yourself known to the college coaches and scouts.

 

I walk you through EXACTLY how to be proactive in the Total Female Hockey SCHOLARSHIP PROJECT.

 

Every other manual, DVD and audio I’ve ever created was designed to help you be PREPARED physically and mentally when the coaches and scouts are watching.

 

This is ONLY one that shows you exactly how to be PROACTIVE.

 

There is a lot more to getting noticed, getting recruited and getting a scholarship than just being the best athlete and student.

 

You’ve got to know:

 

::: How To Write The Perfect Introductory Email To Coaches
::: How To Make A Video Coaches Will Actually Watch
::: How To Navigate The Web To Find Every Piece of Information You Need
::: How To Follow The 3 Rs - all the rules, regulations & requirements
::: How To Communicate Effectively With The Coaches through the entire process

 

Because waiting for the “scholarship fairy” to come around doesn’t work.

 

The Scholarship Project is only available at the low introductory price until Friday January 21st at midnight and then the price goes up permanently.

 

:::  Click the link below to get started with the Scholarship Project today ::::

http://www.totalfemalehockey.com/scholarship_project.shtml

 

 

Now is the time to take action and start being proactive.

 

Your friend and coach,

 

Kim

 

PS - I’ve included a few HUGE bonuses as a part of the Scholarship Project. The biggest one is 5 in-depth “insider” interviews with 5 current college hockey coaches. By listening in, you’ll learn exactly what scouts are looking for from the experts themselves.  That information alone will dramatically effect your  approach to the entire recruiting process. 

 

:::  Click the link below to get started with the Scholarship Project today ::::

 

http://www.totalfemalehockey.com/scholarship_project.shtml

 

Kim McCullough, MSc, YCS
Director, Total Female Hockey
 

On Monday night, hundreds of players and parents listened in on the "7 Secrets To Getting A Scholarship” call that I hosted, but I also know that many people missed out who weren’t available at that time.  So I wanted to make sure you had the chance to listen to it and get all the information I shared about figuring out the confusing and complicated college hockey process.

 

:::  Here’s what you’ll learn from listening in on the call  :::

 

=>  3 Things All Scouts and Coaches Must See From You

=>  3 Things You Must Keep In Mind Throughout The Entire Process

=>  1 Thing You Must Start Doing Right Away To Make Sure You Succeed

 

It was a lot to fit into 30 minutes - good thing I can talk fast. 

 

::: You can listen to the entire replay by clicking on the link below :::

http://instantteleseminar.com/?eventid=16932729

 

These 7 Secrets are also covered in the first 5 pages of the Scholarship Project.  The next 60 pages over the step-by-step manual show you exactly what to do, when to do it, where to look, who to contact and how to stand out in great detail. Add in 5 “insider” interviews with college coaches, 3 different “how to” videos and
a complete guide to all 113 women’s college hockey programs in North America, and you have the most complete guide to the whole college hockey process right in front of you.

 

::: Click on the link below to get started with the Scholarship Project today :::

http://www.totalfemalehockey.com/scholarship_project.shtml

 

Please feel free to pass along the link to the replay of the 7 Secrets Call to any teammates or friends that you think would benefit from having this critical information about the recruiting process.

 

Enjoy!

 

 
Your friend and coach,

Kim

 

PS - From the parent of a 14 year old player:

 

“We received our copy of the Scholarship Project yesterday afternoon and have been reading the manual, listening to the interviews and watching the How-To videos ever since. I can’t believe there is so much information to cover - and I’m so glad we don’t need to figure it all out on our own. We really appreciate that you’ve given us a step-by-step guide to follow so that we know exactly what to do next.  With my daughter only being in grade 9, this will definitely be our “go-to” resource for the next 4 years.  Thanks Kim.”

 

::: Click on the link below to get started with the Scholarship Project today :::

http://www.totalfemalehockey.com/scholarship_project.shtml

Kim McCullough, MSc, YCS

Director, Total Female Hockey