pre-game Motivation?

Hockey CoachCoach

well, for starters you need to find out why they aren't mentally prepared for a game. are they anxious, are they under stress, don't they have goals... this question is a bit unspecified... but a few suddestions are - team goal setting: focus on goals that are measurable and objective. don't say: "we need to beat that team" but say something like: we are going to focus on stealing the bal. we want to steal the ball five times and we are going to do four well-executed team-movements. state the goals together with the girls, but take lead. - put a bulletin-board in the lockerroom. put up positive motivating messages, personal challenges and goals. maybe a few things the opponent said to motivate. - get them to focus on their task. both as a team ( "the goal is to play hockey, and nothing else" don't focus on winning or losing, but on the game.)as individuals. here I don't know any hockey examples..:) - if they feel pressured, first find out why and get them to relax through breathing controll and meditetion. you can also try selftalk, but that has to be explained to the athlete, zo if you choose that strategy, find out more on the web. why don't you contact a sportpsychologist, they're experts on these problems! Good luck!

p.s. dont forget to evaluate goals!!!