PREPARE LIKE A PRO - PLAY LIKE A PRO

The aspect of getting ready to play the Game of Hockey is not as simple as showing up at the Rink.

It's important to realize and understand at an early age proper preparation will lead to success. The old saying as it pertains to other things in life pertains perfectly for this sport.

"By failing to prepare you are preparing to fail" Benjamin Franklin

Here are a few "musts" to put both your body and mind in the right frame to play.

Rest
This starts with the night before your game, a good nights sleep will allow you to focus and be at the ready to participate however the Game shapes up.
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Nutrition
While everyone has their own favorite foods, your body happens to be the greatest machine in the world, capable of turning proper food into important energy. 
Make certain you have a mix of foods that will sustain energy throughout your activity, pastas, eggs, potatoes, breads are great forms of energy that your body will use to fuel itself throughout the game. Protiens such as Chicken, Turkey, Ground Beef, Lean meats are Great sources of protein and energy. Sugary drinks, doughnuts, French fries, hotdogs are things you should stay away from on game days as your energy peaks will affect your level of play and concentration.

Exercise
Arriving at the Rink and throwing on your equipment to go play does not allow your body the proper time to warm up its muscles and functional movements. 
When you hit the ice you want to be prepared and ready to play at the highest level you can, pushing the pace of the play so you take advantage of your opponent's lack of preparation. 
This will require about a 9 to 11 minute routine, of stretching your muscles/ Jumping rope (skipping, a Staple in Pro Edges Camps), fast feet exercises to work on muscle twitch quickness. Running a few sprints.

Mental Preparation
Visualize what Coaches have been telling you in practice, see yourself making the play, be mindful of shifts over 40 seconds long, one long shift could simply tire your legs out to the point where they feel weak and you're too tired to play at the level you want to.
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Be a Great Teammate/ Leader
Support your teammates with positive reinforcement, lead by example both on and off the ice. If someone makes a mistake, reinforce the fact that you know they can do better and will next time. 
If you score a goal, act like you have scored a few before, celebrating unnecessarily sometimes embarrasses the other team, more importantly...It Embarrasses you. 
Don't pout, throw tantrums, realize you are a DIRECT Reflection of your Parents/ Your Guardians/ Your Team and always remember that your actions speak louder than your words.

These lessons will be a HUGE part of our Pro Edge Tournament Team as well as our 12 Week Camp. If you practice and prepare like a pro, You will Play like a Pro.

Sincerely, 
Coach Vaughan