The most important hockey tip of all: keep your head up. It is so simple but at the same time so powerful. The truth is you have probably heard this simple tip so many times from your coaches, your teammates, the NHL pros., etc. If you can consistently do it in a game situation – move on to the next tip. If not – keep reading. I want you to repeat this tip to yourself every time you step on ice. Yes, every single time you are on the ice say it: keep your head up, keep your head up… You got the idea. By the way, it doesn’t just apply to hockey, if you play any other team sport – this tip will make wonders for you. So why is it so important? A couple of reasons: 1) to keep you safe. Just watch some hockey highlights tonight. I can guarantee you see several great hits. They look fantastic, effective and often devastating. Sometimes all we can say is “Wow!!!. This guy was really nailed!”. Now wait a second and try to remember what a receiving player was doing just before the hit. Yes, in most cases, he kept his head down. See, even pros make this mistake and they pay for it dearly, sometimes with their careers (remember Scott Stevens hit on Eric Lindros?). Watch it here and don’t make the same mistake.
2) to improve game awareness (by a long shot). Keep your head up and you will know exactly where your teammates and opponents are. You will have a lot more time to react by knowing exactly where the puck is going to be. You will start making better decisions on ice by seeing all the options that are available to you.
Keep your head up and remember what Wayne Gretzky once said: “A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be”. Listen to "the Great One", keep your head up and be the best player you can possible be by just using this one simple tip.
Practice makes it perfect – so work on it, no excuses.
To your success,
John
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