Using a SMART Personal Development Plan to Help Achieve Success in Hockey

March 29

by Jeff Lynt

The off-season is the perfect time to develop a personal development plan for the upcoming season. As an elite hockey player, constantly improving your physical and mental abilities is critical to achieving success on and off the ice. That's why having a personalized development plan is so important. A SMART personalized development plan is a structured approach to setting goals, creating an actionable plan, and evaluating progress towards those goals. By taking the time to create a plan tailored to your individual needs, you can identify areas for improvement, set specific and measurable goals, and track your progress towards achieving those goals.

Here are some steps that players and parents can take to create an action plan as part of a personal development plan:

Identify Key Areas for Improvement

In order to develop an effective personal development plan, it's important to identify the specific areas of the game that need improvement. This can include on-ice skills development, team play, hockey sense, conditioning, and mental skills development. Players and parents should work together to identify key areas for improvement, taking into account the athlete's individual strengths and weaknesses.

Set Specific and Measurable Goals

Once the key areas have been identified, it's time to set specific and measurable goals for each area. For example, a player might set a goal to improve their skating speed or accuracy of their shot. Each goal should be SMART - specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. It's important to set goals that are challenging but also realistic and attainable.

Create an Actionable Plan

With the goals in place, it's time to create an actionable plan for achieving those goals. This can include setting a training schedule, attending skill development clinics, practicing drills, and working with coaches and trainers to enhance skills. The plan should be specific and include a timeline for achieving each goal.

Regularly Evaluate Progress

Regular evaluation of progress is critical to success. Players and parents should regularly evaluate progress towards goals and make adjustments to the plan as needed. This can involve tracking progress towards specific goals, seeking feedback from coaches and trainers, and adjusting the plan as necessary to ensure continued progress.

As an elite hockey player, it's also important to compare yourself to other higher level athletes in the NHL or pros. Conducting research about specific individual tactics and team tactics on the internet and YouTube can be helpful in identifying areas for improvement and setting goals.

Our website offers a comprehensive information for creating a personalized development plan, with a focus on key areas such as on-ice skills development, team play, hockey sense, conditioning, and mental skills development. We provide all the necessary information and resources to help elite hockey players create a personalized development plan that is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

On-Ice Skills Development

The first key area of personal development for elite hockey players is on-ice skills development. This includes improving skills such as skating, stickhandling, puck protection, physical play, passing, shooting and individual tactics. Players can work on these skills by attending skill development clinics, practicing drills, and working with coaches to enhance their technique. It's important to set specific and measurable goals in each of these areas in order to track progress and stay motivated.

Team Play

Developing strong team skills is essential for success in hockey. Team play includes understanding team strategies and systems, communication, and teamwork. Players can work on their team play by attending team practices, learning team strategies and systems, and studying game footage of their team and comparable teams. It's important for players to understand their role on the team and how they can contribute to the team's success.

Hockey Sense

Hockey sense refers to a player's ability to anticipate, make good decisions and influence the flow of play. It's an essential aspect of success in hockey that can make the difference between a good player and a great player. Players can improve their hockey sense by studying game footage, playing in games and tournaments, and attending clinics and camps that focus on hockey sense development.

Conditioning

Elite hockey players need to be in top physical condition in order to perform at their best on the ice. This includes proper nutrition, off-ice training, fitness, and sleep. Players can work with trainers and coaches to create a conditioning plan that works for them. It's important to set specific and measurable goals in each of these areas in order to track progress and stay motivated.

Mental Skills Development

Mental toughness is a key aspect of success in hockey. Players can work on their mental skills by developing strategies for managing stress, staying focused, and maintaining a positive attitude. This can include working with a sports psychologist or mental skills coach. It's important to set specific and measurable goals in each of these areas in order to track progress and stay motivated.

Working Together: Players and Parents

Achieving success in hockey requires teamwork, not just on the ice but also off the ice. Players and parents should work together to identify key areas for improvement, set specific and measurable goals, and create an actionable plan for achieving those goals. Parents can provide support and encouragement to their children throughout the development process, including attending games and practices, providing healthy meals and snacks, ensuring their child gets enough rest and recovery time, and investing in the necessary equipment and training resources. Parents can also help their child evaluate their progress, celebrate their successes, and learn from their setbacks and challenges.

Conclusion

In conclusion, achieving success in hockey is a journey that requires dedication, hard work, and a commitment to personal and team development. By creating a personal development plan that covers all of the key areas of development, elite hockey players can take their game to the next level and achieve success both on and off the ice. It's important for players and parents to work together to identify key areas for improvement, set specific and measurable goals, and create an actionable plan for achieving those goals. With hard work, dedication, and a commitment to personal development, elite hockey players can achieve their goals and reach their full potential.

Remember, achieving success in hockey is not just about talent, it's about dedication, hard work, and a commitment to personal and team development. By focusing on the key areas of on-ice skills development, team play, hockey sense, conditioning, and mental skills development, elite hockey players can take control of their own development and set themselves up for success. So, let's lace up those skates and hit the ice - success is just a personal development plan away!