There are many components that make for an effective hockey player. Endurance, speed, mental toughness and confidence define the hockey greats from the amateurs. Conditioning in the offseason and during the season are what makes for a top-level hockey game. A matchup involving Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin would not be possible without the appropriate mental and physical components of hockey.
Endurance
Hockey is 60 minutes of a fast-paced, hard-hitting game. Endurance is important to reduce fatigue and increase ability. Players train all year to develop and maintain endurance. In hockey, endurance includes maintaining stick skills, making decisions on the ice, strength, speed of skating, quickness and agility, according to Let's Play Hockey.
Skating Ability
Hockey players need to be able to skate forward, backward and to the side, according to Hockey Player. This allows team members to make the plays that win games. Whether this play is on offense or defense, balance and agility are important to moving the puck, as well as positioning on the ice and recovering the puck off a rebound or steal.
Speed
Speed is important to all hockey players. Players who skate the fastest are often able to steal pucks and find themselves on breakaways -- a one-on-one shot with the goalie. Speed is also essential on defense. Defensive players with speed are able to stop shots and create turnovers. Speed also allows the goalie to get to more pucks.
Mental Toughness
Hockey players must be able to concentrate and maintain intensity at all times, according to Hockey Player. Hockey players must be able to shake off errors, including goals allowed and penalties. Hockey players need to take responsibility for their actions and not blame teammates for plays gone wrong. Players must also be mentally tough to return to the game after serious injury without fear of sustaining the same injury again.
Work Ethic
All hockey players need to develop a strong work ethic. Practice as hard as you play and play as hard as you practice, according to Hockey Player. Hockey players must be willing to attend all practices and training sessions. Players also need a strong work ethic in the offseason to train and return from injury.
Self-Confidence
Confidence is important for all hockey players. In goaltenders, self-confidence may come in the form of cockiness, which in the case of goaltending is not a bad thing, according to Hockey Player. Cockiness is acceptable as long as the goaltender is able to work with the team and coaching staff. Self-confidence influences the way all players think, behave and perform, according to Merry Miller, a private consultant in sports and performance psychology. Confidence influences a player's activity level and decision-making skills on the ice. Players lacking self-confidence are likely to reduce their efforts on the ice.
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