| For this article I'll define 'being ready to win' as... | | | | your equipment. |
| focused preparation waiting to meet a competitive | | | | 1.) Is there any stitching that's coming apart on |
| opportunity. | | | | shoulder pads, shin pads, pants etc?... Are you using |
| So...being ready to win is really about paying attention | | | | more tape on your equipment than you are on your |
| to all the details. | | | | stick? If so, get it repaired now, not the day of the |
| You have likely worked hard all year, listened to your | | | | big game. |
| coach, perhaps you have even elevated your skill | | | | 2.)Look at your skates...closely! Is it ime to replace |
| level by participating in a power skating and/or off ice | | | | the blades? This is by far the most |
| training program. And no doubt, you are using great | | | | overlookedperformance issue. Blades wear down |
| fitting skates and equipment. | | | | slowly over the course of a season and can slowly |
| Now, as the season moves ever closer to playoff | | | | erode yourskating performance. Here are a couple of |
| time have you covered ALL the details...? Are you | | | | signs that may indicate yor blades need to be |
| prepared to win? | | | | replaced.a.) Falling or being knocked down easily.b.) |
| In our world of skates and equipment this is the time | | | | Working harder to maintain speed or skate as fast |
| of year that paying attention to the details | | | | as earlier in the season.c.) Hitting the edge of your |
| becomesan essential part of preparing to win by | | | | skate on a tight turnd.) Skates need sharpening more |
| helping you to avoid simple yet frustrating | | | | frequently. |
| distractons. | | | | 3.) Are you still using that broken lace? Replace it |
| Think about this....You have been playing all season | | | | now and be done with it. |
| and the skates and equipment you have been | | | | 4.) Do you need to replace old and worn out foot |
| wearing has been taking the brunt of your hard | | | | beds? Old foot beds affect both comfort and fit. |
| work. (and perhaps your body...but that's another | | | | 5.) Are all of the rivets tight or are they staring to |
| article!) | | | | rust out? Check under your old foot beds, and see if |
| In my years of experience, I have noticed that | | | | moisture trapped under them have started to rust |
| players and parents overlook a couple of | | | | the skates rivets. A loose blade holder affects |
| fundamental yetimportant details. Here are a couple | | | | performance, and if it comes loose during a game |
| of great tips that are guaranteed to help you to | | | | you could find yourself being a spectator. |
| prepare to win. | | | | As you can see it's all pretty common sense... yet |
| If winning is about focus, then nothing is more | | | | year after year, we see the stress and panic of |
| distracting than skates that don't or equipment that | | | | players and parents that didin't take the time to and |
| doesn'tperform like it did when it was new. | | | | get 'ready to win! |
| Avoid the stress later and take a look right now at all | | | | |