Perspective.
Preparation.
Possibilities.
Now that summer is half over, let’s take stock of where you’re at – how is what you’re doing serving your goals? Steve and Adam speak to maximizing your off-season progress and how that dedicated focus will show up during your upcoming season.
Summer is all about prepping for the upcoming season. You should be able to ask yourself the following questions and have a solid answer as to how each will serve you come fall:
How many days a week are you on the ice? How productive are the sessions?
What are your workouts like? Are you pushing yourself to get better every day?
Based on feedback from coaches, Junior Scouts, and Steve and Adam, what should you focus on this summer? What should your focus be on the ice?
Journal your progress. Looking back on all the work you’ve done helps provide a track record of your gains, makes you accountable to your goals (and can push you towards setting new ones), helps enforce consistency, and may just provide some personal insight as to what works and what doesn’t.
If you’d like some help reviewing what you should focus on – on-ice and off – we can help – just reach out.
Your workouts should be forming part of your daily routine.
Are you trying to gain muscle or lose fat?
How’s your progress going?
Be sure to keep to your program and maximize your time in the gym and outside. The main purpose of your workouts should be to increase your conditioning and speed.
What you do in the gym and on the ice is important, but ensure stretching and mobility are not sacrificed. Equally important are your diet and sleep.
If you’d like feedback on your workout, let us know – we’re happy to fine-tune your plan to ensure it’s meeting your needs.
You have goals for next season. Whether it’s making a new team or returning to one you’re familiar with, it’s important you know what will be expected of you.
Do you know what your role will be on the team you’re working to make?
What will the coaching staff expect of you?
Are you a top 6 forward? A shutdown defenceman?
Also make time to start planning and navigating to reduce some of the unknown. Are you familiar with where you will be playing this season or is it a new team in a new location? Will you have billets? What steps are you taking to become familiar with your surroundings? How does your scouting report look? If you’re looking for feedback, we can help.
Off-season stress is a real thing for you and your athlete.
For the younger players, we know it can be tough, but don’t worry about what other families are doing. Focus on what is best for your athlete and your family. It also seems to be a time of year flush with rumours – arm yourself with information from trusted, reliable sources and focus on the facts.
For older players – don’t get caught up in the off-season stress of signings and drafts. It’s a long summer and there’s still the tryout process. You’re working hard this summer – on ice and in the gym – to make a name and place for yourself. Sticking with your program will help ensure you stand out from the rest.
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