| Playoffs are here and you want to make sure that | | | | 4) Cool-Down After Every Ice Session: |
| you do everything you can to perform your best. After | | | | Taking the time to do a cool-down jog for 5 minutes |
| a long season of playing, practicing and traveling, | | | | after getting off the ice will make a huge difference in |
| players, parents and coaches alike run the risk of | | | | how your body is able to recover in time for the next |
| getting worn-out and stressed-out. But it doesn't have | | | | playoff battle. The cool-down is just as important as |
| to be that way. You can get through the playoffs | | | | the warm-up. |
| safely and successfully if you have a plan. | | | | 5) Set Goals You Can Control: |
| Here are 7 simple secrets you can use throughout the | | | | There are lots of potential distractions on and off the |
| post-season to have a successful playoff run: | | | | ice that are only magnified when you put them under |
| 1) Drink More Water: | | | | the pressure of playoff hockey. Remember to set |
| Are you drinking enough water? Are you sure? | | | | goals for yourself before every game that focus on |
| Remember - once you are thirsty, you are already | | | | things you can control: how hard you work and what |
| dehydrated. Drinking water consistently throughout the | | | | your attitude is like. |
| day will have you performing your best physically and | | | | 6) Stay Focused On YOU: |
| mentally. | | | | This one goes along with number 5. Instead of |
| 2) Stretch More Often: | | | | worrying about what the other team's systems, plays |
| Playoff time is the most hectic part of the hockey | | | | and record looks like, focus on what you are going to |
| season. Finding 10 minutes to do your hockey-specific | | | | do as an individual to play your game to the best of |
| stretches can be hard to do. But it is one way to | | | | your ability. |
| guarantee that you get through the playoff grind with | | | | 7) Leave It All Out On The Ice: |
| as much energy (and as few injuries) as possible. | | | | When the season is on the line, it is easy to motivate |
| 3) Warm-Up Before Every Ice Session: | | | | yourself to leave it all out on the ice. Because of all of |
| By this point in the season, you and your team should | | | | the hard work you have been doing on and off the ice |
| have a solid off-ice warm-up routine in place. | | | | to take your game to the next level, you'll have a lot |
| Sometimes the weather and traffic don't cooperate | | | | more left to give late in the season. |
| and you don't have time to do your full 15 minute | | | | There you have it - 7 Simple Secrets of Hockey |
| warm-up routine. Even if you only have one minute to | | | | Playoff Success. Use these tips to separate yourself |
| do jumping jacks, it will be a lot more helpful in terms of | | | | from your competition and have your most successful |
| getting you physically ready to compete than doing | | | | post-season ever. |
| nothing. | | | | |