1. Think positive! Whenever you step on the ice, pick up your stick or start an exercise programme feel good about yourself. Remind yourself you are there to learn and to have fun.
2. Work on your skills (off ice, at home). It is not possible to be on the ice everyday but you can work on your skills everyday. Check out some of the examples of what you can do at home in the off ice skills pages.
skaters - goalies
3. Eat healthy, get good sleep. Being well rested and having a balanced diet will help you be more positive and give you longer more sustained energy.
4. Exercise. Improve your fitness, stamina and flexibility by taking part in a regular exercise programme at home.
5. Work hard. I have always found the players who go out for every shift or every drill and give 100% enjoy themselves more.
6. Try/play other sports. You can learn a lot from playing other sports that will help you with your hockey skills.
7. Have fun! Hockey should be about having fun. Having fun will make you want to be on the ice more, being on the ice more will help you to be a better hockey player. When you are working on your off ice puck control (stick handling) be inventive try new things, do something that’s never been done before.