Attitude is everything. This is the first Law of Goaltending.
The physical and mental challenges can be overwhelming sometimes. This is why having a healthy positive attitude is vital to your success as a goaltender.
9 Ways to Improve Your Attitude:
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Always act with a purpose;
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Stretch yourself past your limits every day;
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Take action without expecting results;
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Use setbacks to improve your skill;
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Seek out those who share your positive attitude;
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Don't take yourself too seriously;
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Forgive the limitations of others;
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Say "thank you" more frequently. Be grateful;
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Explore the work of successful people - coaches, goalies, hockey players, athletes, etc. A great deal of what they talk about will hinge on attitude.
Ian Clark joined the Columbus Blue Jackets as goaltending coach on June 6, 2011. He joined the organization after serving as the Vancouver Canucks goaltending coach and consultant from 2002-10. Clark was also a member of Team Canada's coaching staff at the World Junior Championships from 2003-06, winning silver medals in 2003 and 2004 and capturing gold in 2005 and 2006. He also served as the Florida Panthers goaltending consultant in 2001-02. The list of goaltenders he has worked with includes Roberto Luongo, Cam Ward, Marc-Andre Fleury, Cory Schneider, Andrew Raycroft, Johan Hedberg and Mathieu Garon. Here is what he has to say about a goaltenders work ethic:
“You play the most critical role on the team. No one has a greater potential individual impact on the outcome of a game than the goaltender. So if we can agree on that and therefore agree that we play arguably the most critical role it would make no sense for you not to be the hardest worker on the team. It makes no sense that the guy with the greatest responsibility would be the poorest worker.
You play the most critical role. You will be the hardest worker. You play the most critical role. You will be the fiercest competitor.
These are the non-negotiables.”
(source: InGoal Radio Podcast: Episode 35)
