Fueling the Fire: Encouraging Your Young Hockey Player to Play More Aggressively

Hello Hockey Families!

Instilling a spirit of assertiveness in young hockey players is integral to their game. However, encouraging aggression is a delicate task - we want to inspire determined players, not foster brawlers. So, how do we strike the right balance and kindle a healthy level of aggression in our youth players?

1. Foster a Competitive Spirit:

Help your child develop a love for competition. This doesn't mean only winning, but also the joy of striving hard, outdoing personal bests, and learning from losses. Encourage them to compete with themselves first and view other players as benchmarks for improvement.

2. Understand the Game:

Ensure your child thoroughly grasps the game’s rules and strategies. This includes understanding clean physical play, like how to steal a puck from an opposing player, or legal body checking (if allowed in their age group). Empowered with this knowledge, they'll be more confident and assertive on the ice.

3. Reinforce the Importance of Effort:

Shift your child's focus from winning to giving their best effort. Praise their hard work, tenacity, and resilience when they lose or face a tough opponent. This fosters a mindset that success is not just about scoring goals, but also about perseverance and commitment.

4. Use Role Models:

Discuss professional players who exhibit the right intensity and aggression. Watch hockey together and point these players out! Observing their behavior in games can help your child understand the balance of skill, tactics, and controlled aggression required in hockey.

5. Encourage Physical Fitness:

A physically fit player is a more confident player. Regular strength and conditioning exercises can help your child build resilience, stamina, and self-assurance to be more dynamic in the game. Look for local dryland training and power skating classes to help increase their strength and speed. And if all else fails, find a reputable online course provider to help provide some tips and training after practice!

6. Recognize and Reward Assertive Play:

Positive reinforcement goes a long way. If you notice your child making a good block, positioning themselves assertively, or competing hard for the puck, acknowledge it. This gives them an incentive to repeat the conduct.

Promoting calculated aggression on the ice helps in developing a well-rounded player. The aim should always be to encourage positive aggression, where the child learns to compete fiercely but fairly, displaying respect for the rules and other players. As parents and mentors, it's our role to guide them in this journey.

Erin @ My Hockey Store.