Nerves

[nwharris74]

I've been playing in a league for about a year now and having fun but for some reason I still get nervous on game days. Not sure why. Does anyone else get nervous? You'd think I'd be over it by now.

Click to read more...

 

[HolyRollie]

Nothing wrong with some nerves. They get you pumped up for the game. I used to have anxious nerves before every game, but it always got me pumped to get out there and play hard.

 

[Pog Form]

A little bit, yeah. Sort of a nervous excitement. I definitely feel different before a league game than I do before a pick-up game.

I think the key is figuring out how to channel the nerves into adrenaline.

 

[hlrsr]

Stop being scared of it and just look forward to getting out there and playing some hockey.

 

[mbeam]

Stop being scared of it and just look forward to getting out there and playing some hockey.

Not sure if hes referring to fear. I feel a little different on game days most of the time. It's an excited nervous and I just can't wait to get out there!

 

[nwharris74]

Nope...not fear. The only way I can explain it is the need to hurry up and play. I guess you could file that under the adrenaline category. I guess I was expecting it to go away. It's more mentally rehearsing and hoping that I play well.

 

[hlrsr]

Nervous=worried, usually. "Hoping that I play well" is kind of what I meant by fear. I found that for myself, being nervous about how I'm going to play and how the game is going to go made me play a lot worse than just looking forward to having fun playing hockey.

Now if only I could do the same thing when I'm watching the Canucks in the playoffs maybe I wouldn't be such a nervous wreck for game 7s.

 

[nwharris74]

Makes sense. I'm in a horrible scoring slump (not that I was on a hot scoring streak). But I do think about scoring that elusive goal (or not) before a game. Heck..gimme an assist and I'd be happy. Last time I did score a goal, I wasn't really thinking about it too much. I guess I'm just thinking too much.

 

[Pog Form]

Play your position, win your battles, and have some fun out there. The scoring will come.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Nerves are normal. Most people have some degree of performance anxiety. As long as it isn't crippling, there's nothing to be too worried about.

Re: the psychology of scoring slumps, I have found that it helps to NOT try hard to score. Just be where you're supposed to be, skate hard and keep yourself motivated. A lot of the time I flub the puck when I'm thinking about the shot... stop thinking and let your muscle memory take over. Channel your thoughts toward the entire ice, and where you fit in with your teammates and the opponent. When the scoring chance arrives, your body will snap into motion before you have time to think about it. It's almost zen, but it works.

 

[Skraut]

Playing defense, I get nerves depending on the goalie I'm playing in front of, but it's strange, it's probably the reverse of what people would think.

The better the goalie, the more pressure I put on myself to do well to try and help the goalie do well, and the worse I play. (fumbling the puck in the high slot for instance, or bighting too hard on a fake)

It may be because these goalies make a bigger deal about getting scored on and tossing the blame around when they do, or perhaps I just miss the guy I normally play with. He gives up quite a few goals, but always puts the blame on himself when he gives them up. Even telling him "That's my bad I was out of position to stop the one-timer" is greeted with, "Nope, it's my fault, I didn't get side to side fast enough."

Either way, I'm really relaxed when playing with him because he doesn't even let me put pressure on myself, and I struggle with anybody else, because I load up the pressure and expectations on myself.

 

[mooseOAK*]

I've been playing in a league for about a year now and having fun but for some reason I still get nervous on game days. Not sure why. Does anyone else get nervous? You'd think I'd be over it by now.

You are probably mistaking a bit of an adrenaline rush from anticipating playing hockey for nerves. Don't worry about it, it's good to feel that way.

 

[dbargaehr]

I know the feeling...I recently got back into playing after being out of hockey for several years. Been playing for more than 2 years now, and still get "nerves" before most games (e.g., heart rate gets a little fast, need to take a gnarly deuce).

Nerves are better than being exhausted or super-relaxed. Nerves turn into adrenaline (at least for me) as soon as you take/lay on your first hit, take your first shot, etc...I usually play terribly if I'm feeling easy-going.

 

[silkyjohnson50]

I get some nerves, but it's usually a good feeling. Like the same type of nerves i get before my favorite team's about to play a playoff game, or the nerves you used to get before the first day of school.

Wasn't it Glenn Hall who used to throw up before every game?

 

[Jarick]

I can't say I do, but I pretty much mellowed all my nerves playing in a rock band younger...now it's more a little bit of excitement. I say just go with it.