Patience!

Because we try to support our student/clients at and away from the rink, we like to stay in touch with both they and parents as frequently as we can.

Some (just a few), hold a belief it is important for their son/daughter to play up beyond their present skill/age level in order for them to achieve long term success.  They feel, that, if they don’t, their son/daughter will never reach their (?) goals.  I find this to be a bit unrealistic.  Simply because, everyone will develop at their own pace.  As a parent, all you can really do is provide your son/daughter the opportunity to play, expose them to the best QUALITY training available, (notice the emphasis on quality) encourage them and support them.

Everyone has a different development curve which is based on several factors of which some are controllable and some not. We will always have those few (very few) who are ahead of the normal curve, the average (a majority) and, of course, the “late bloomer” (very few).  And, no amount of wishful thinking will propel any of them beyond what they are physically and mentally capable of achieving.  

When your son/daughter is younger, it is easy to get caught up in the allure of skipping a step & jumping up to a level beyond their age group in the hope they will develop faster and quicker.  And, even at higher levels (Junior & above) the same idea exists.  I must admit, I may have been one of those people.  Even today, I look at some of our student/clients and wonder if their development would not be better served by playing up.  But………

REALITY CHECK HERE!

There really isn’t anything wrong with “testing the waters”.  Say trying out for a team (if you are able) that competes above your son/daughter’s present playing level.  But, unless your son/daughter is very mature & can be certain they will see enough “net time” (nothing erodes confidence more than sitting at the end of a bench game after game) to develop & improve their game skills, they are much better off “staying the course”.  

Here are a couple of reasons to “stay the course”:

- it allows them an opportunity to experience growth as a player
- it gives them more time to develop their skills because they are not always trying to play “catch up” with stronger, more experienced & older kids & team mates
- different social dynamics will come into play at the next level
- they might be looked to for a leadership role which, in turn helps them develop as a person
- it could serve to build their mental toughness & character because they could become (if not already) the “go to guy or gal” who logs all the hard minutes in tough times

IT’S ALL ABOUT PATIENCE

It is my belief (as a coach and long-time scout) that if you are good enough, you will be “found”.  No matter how deeply a goaltender is “buried” they will hear of you and find you.  I do understand the concept of “timing” also enters the picture, but, have the patience to continue to work smart & hard; search out & use every resource possible to improve ALL aspects of your game; refine your skills to perfection.  And, hopefully you will become the best goaltender you can possibly be at the level you are supposed to be.  And, who knows where that will lead. 

I know that not everyone will agree with me simply because, unless you have experienced it, it is difficult not to look for the “silver bullet” that gets you on the fast track.  Unfortunately, very, very few who ever get on the “fast track” train will ride it all the way to the station.