Hockey
Playing Under Pressure
·1 min read
What to Know
- Pressure doesn’t mean something’s wrong. It means it matters.
- High arousal can narrow focus or trigger panic depending on how you frame it.
- Learning to ride pressure waves is what separates good from elite
What Helps
- Anchor your attention. Find a physical cue (grip, skate tap, tighten strap) to center yourself.
- Use box breathing. 4 seconds in, 4 hold, 4 out, 4 hold. Repeat.
- Name the moment. Acknowledge the pressure to neutralize it ('This is a big moment, and I’m ready for it').
- Shrink the task. Focus on the next action only, not the outcome.
- Reps build trust. Train pressure situations in practice to know how it feels game day.