The excitement of the State Tournament is but a distant memory and what was once months to go before the start of a new season is now just weeks. So, as fall approaches, it’s the ideal time for players of all ages – and their parents – to start ramping up and getting ready.
For two- or three-sport athletes who have been extra active over the summer, getting in hockey shape won’t be quite as difficult. But for those that took the time to relax, go to camp or enjoy time at the family cabin, starting even a basic training regimen can help young skaters prepare for tryouts and the upcoming season.
“It’s important to be active,” said Jeremy Reed, vice president of hockey operations for Minnesota Hockey and the Girls’ hockey coach at New Ulm High School. “If they’re playing other sports, that’s great. If not, they need to get some exercise in, like getting on their rollerblades, doing some running or playing some pickup games with friends.”
Reed reminds players it’s also a good time to make sure your equipment still fits and is in good condition.
“I think one thing that is often overlooked is how much some of these kids grow during the offseason,” he said. “Often times their bag gets put away at the end of the season, and not everyone skates year-round. So, open up the bag and make sure all of their equipment is functioning and fits well, and replace what needs to be replaced.”
GETTING PHYSICALLY PREPARED
Reed offers the following tips for players looking to get physically ready for the upcoming season:
- I always encourage players to work on their hands. They can take a tennis ball or golf ball and a hockey stick and work on stickhandling in the driveway, work on shooting and/or get some friends and go play in the neighborhood.
- For players that haven’t done a lot over the summer, they should build up their activity slowly rather than dive into it at full speed. That’s when we have the potential for injuries. Build up activity slowly and increase activity over the 3-4 weeks out from tryouts.
- Some players are playing in summer hockey programs, but a lot of them are also likely taking advantage of some of the public and open hockey time at the rink. Just getting out there and playing pick-up games with other kids, being on the ice, can help a lot.
- For parents, it’s important to continue to provide encouragement and a little guidance. Try to provide opportunities and ideas for kids to stay active and get prepared for the upcoming season. Parents need to be part of the process, making sure everything is ready to go.
PRE-TRYOUT TIPS
Of course, pre-season training over the tail end of summer and early fall ultimately leads to tryouts, which can be a stressful and challenging time for any young player. Reed offers the following advice:
- These weeks leading up to tryouts are a good time to start healthier habits when it comes to nutrition and hydration. We need to take care of our bodies, no matter our age. Hydration is extremely important because they will be exerting more energy. During tryouts, there will be some nervousness and anxiety, so hydration is big. Water and picking the right foods will fuel the body.
- At tryouts, players can expect a mix of testing skills and hockey IQ. It truly varies by location. In New Ulm, there’s a good mix of skating, stickhandling and game situations. Coaches are looking for players with vision and how they handle certain scenarios. Paying attention and listening are also big. If you aren’t listening when coaches are explaining drills, for example, that will stand out in a tryout.
- Intangibles are important. Coaches will look at how players overcome obstacles and react. When something doesn’t go right in a tryout, are they slamming their stick on the ice or just moving on to the next drill? Look to turn mistakes into positives.
- Players are going to be nervous about tryouts. But I often tell them there are a few things they can control, and the most important are attitude and effort. Those are things each of us can control, both on and off the ice. Everyone wants to do their best, but it’s important to keep everything in perspective, have good body language and be respectful. No matter what team you end up on, there are opportunities for each player to develop, grow and learn.
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