This area of training for high performance athletes is critical. As the difference in physical abilities of top athletes becomes less and less, the mental abilities of the player often becomes the deciding factor in his or her success. As the number of games played continues to increase, the more important it becomes for a player to learn how to be mentally prepared for each game so he or she consistently performs at their highest level.

Also, as players train harder and longer and the skill level continues to increase, the ability of a player in practice and in training to be able to set goals, to achieve goals, to be mentally tough, to be confident, to have a positive self image, to love the game and to learn to minimize the pressure when playing, will all be critical attributes that a player must acquire in order to put in the hours of effort required to be a top athlete.


Mental training for our players is divided into 3 components even though they are all interrelated.

1. The first component focuses on motivational issues, understanding motivation, how to enhance motivation, and applying it specifically to the player's own game.
2. The second component covers many areas such as mental preparation for games, the achievement of excellence through overcoming obstacles, developing mental toughness both in terms of training and their game play in a very physical and aggressive sport.
3. The third component involves more team building issues not only in terms of the group of 29 players working together for the school year but also issues such as becoming a team leader, the player's attitude toward team members, the coaching staff, the opposing team, and the referees.

Pursuit players develop the habit of using their Smart Planners to set objectives for every practice and game. They use their planners after each ice session to record areas of success and things they need to continue working on. Developing concentration cues for practice such as having a piece of tape on the shaft of their stick with key words like "shoot to score" or "laser focus" are all part of the mental training for our players. Even the ability to block out internal and external distractions in game situations such as a referee's calls, are mental skills that completely transform the on-ice performance of many of our players.