The Mental Part Of Goaltending

Originally Posted by Sandmann

I dont really have a routine ( only played 2 scratchies and one league game ) but I do like to be there early , Get my head focused by listening to some tunes, talking to the goal post ( Hey they are my best friends ) and just stretching. I also remind myself that yes I am a goalie and yes I am the best one around but sometimes I will get scored on but not to worry as my hero's also get scored on. I honestly believe that if you talk yourself up before a game and tell yourself your quick liek a cat and as big as a mountain your game improves. I also play NHL 11 about an hour before I leave for the rink as that helps my reflexes and hand eye.
My current tune list includes Disturbed , Probot , Offspring , Drowning pool , Slipknot , Act of dying and just for kicks a little bit of AC/DC

YAY im not the only one whos talks to goal posts! Gets weird looks lol A couple weeks ago one of the wives of a guy on my team turned to my mom and was like 'what is she doing?' talking to the posts lol I also talk to myself a lot....it helps keep me calm..well somewhat calm anyway lol yesterday i had some random death metal on my mp3 player i was like wth? turns out my husband thought he'd be cute and add it because I hate death metal..

Originally Posted by synesthete

Haha, I used to listen to Slipknot back when they were, you know, good. System of a Down and Rage Against the Machine also used to get me going. Now? I have an eclectic mix. Metric's "Gold, Guns, Girls" was an on-the-way-to-the-game keeper for a few weeks.

I never really liked bands like Slipknot till I figured out that some of my fav. songs are from them lol System is always good. A7X is good two. But im on a angry chick music kick atm for some reason LOL

Originally Posted by cappy83

I also talk to myself a lot....it helps keep me calm..well somewhat calm anyway

I sing to myself, in other languages. It's the only way I can get my brain to shut the hell up. If I'm thinking while I'm out there, I'm done. I have to give my brain something to do, so I let it mumble lyrics it doesn't understand. Never really got the talking to yourself/goalposts thing. What exactly are you saying? Sometimes the singing thing doesn't work so I need another tactic.

Here is a new article from Mind The Net Goaltending Co-director Ian Robertson that looks at a lot more of the mental aspects of goaltending that are often ignored, even by goalies trying to make their way into elite hockey (not just beer leaguers). We have to keep in mind that pre-game music, although part of a routine, does not constitute the true mental aspects of goaltending.

More Than Pre-game Music: Developing Elite In-game Mental Skills « Mind The Net Goaltending's Blog

Let us know what you think.

I think my advantage is that I am learning, so letting goals in doesn't even phase me I just treat every single shot, rebound and goal as a learning experience. Even things I should have had as a newbie that go in don't even phase me. So I think if I can carry that attitude along and just be a student regardless of what level I end up playing to then I will be successful in not letting anything get to me.