Why Confidence Is a Skill While Playing Hockey

Confidence Can Change Everything

You can be just as skilled as your teammate—same speed, same shot, same hockey sense—but still wonder why they’re putting up more points, getting more ice time, or making a bigger impact. The difference? Confidence.

When you believe in yourself, your entire game changes. You play with more purpose. You make quicker decisions. You bounce back from mistakes faster. Confidence helps you play to your full potential, instead of second-guessing yourself or holding back.

Why Confidence Is a Skill

Confidence isn’t something you either have or don’t—it’s a skill you can build, just like stickhandling or shooting. Some days it comes naturally, other days you have to work hard for it. And like any skill, the more you practice it, the stronger it gets.

How to Build Confidence in Hockey

1. Preparation: Knowing you put in the work, gives you confidence. When you prepare well, you’ll feel more ready and that shows in how you play.

2. Visualization: Something more players should try is closing their eyes and picturing themselves making good plays and scoring goals. Your brain responds to mental reps just like physical ones.

   
   

3. Focus on little wins: You don’t have to score a hat trick to build confidence. A block shot, a good backcheck, or a smart play builds momentum.

4. Talk to yourself, not against yourself: Instead of talking down on yourself in stressful moments, like “I hope I don’t mess up”, respond with “I’m ready for this.”

5. Surround yourself with people who believe in you: Coaches, teammates, or trainers who support your growth make a huge difference. You need people who lift you up, not tear you down.

   
   

Confidence vs. Cockiness

• Confidence is quiet. It’s well-earned. It comes from preparation, hard work, and self-belief. A confident player trusts their training, and lifts up their teammates.

• Cockiness, is loud. They think they’re better than everyone else, even when they’re not backing it up with effort or results. Cocky players can bring others down; confident players lead by example.