Where You Come From Doesn't Matter!

National Collegiate Athletic Association (Philippines) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

People often wonder if where they come from has an impact on where they go in life. And, while that’s a difficult and complex question to answer in most respects, it’s not a tough question in regards to youth hockey. No, in terms of youth hockey, the answer to this question is a resounding “no.” Where you come from does not seem to have an impact on success.

In fact, youth hockey programs have spread all around the globe in recent years, which means that no one area has a particular advantage when it comes to the sport. Players get recruited from the United States, British Columbia, Alberta, and many other places. Living in a “wintry” state or area is no longer an advantage since ice rinks are everywhere. Furthermore, good coaches and organizations are everywhere too, giving almost all young players an equal chance at hockey success.

Recent statistics even support the fact that good players can (and do!) come from anywhere and everywhere. Players who are reaching the NCAA level are coming from all over the world. Take, for example, the 47 hockey players from Minnesota who recently joined the NCAA. A whopping 41 of them played hockey in high school, and this group was comprised of students from 31 different schools, some private, some public. This figure and others like it show that where you come from really doesn’t matter much in terms of hockey success.   

The only thing that truly matters is working hard and taking advantage of all the opportunities available, a great and hopeful lesson for young hockey athletes all around the world to learn and take heart from.

The Importance of Sleep

Many Americans do not get enough sleep. Blame it on their busy lifestyles or anything else, but the fact remains that not sleeping enough can have serious consequences. These include things like increased risk for weight gain and obesity, as well as the diseases that go along with it; decreased immune system performance, and decreased mental and physical performance as well. While these effects can be detrimental to all people, they can be particularly devastating for young hockey athletes, who put many serious demands on their bodies.   

In fact, serious athletes need even more sleep than the average person due to the stress they put on their bodies. Unfortunately, though, stress over competition and being “keyed up” after games can contribute to not getting adequate sleep.

The worst thing about all of this is that athletes who do not get enough sleep open themselves up to several serious risks, including:

l  Increased risk of sports injuries

l  Decreased alertness

l  Delayed reaction time

l  Poor motor functioning

l  Decreased stamina and endurance

The good news, however, is that young athletes can combat these risks by making a concentrated effort, with help from their parents, to get more sleep and more restful sleep. Furthermore, they can also make changes to their diet that could potentially improve their sleep quality.

If you worry that your young athlete is not sleeping enough or not sleeping well, try adding these foods to his diet for a positive difference:

Protein

Lean protein might not be your child’s go-to late night snack, but maybe it should be! Research shows that eating protein before bed can lead to improved recovery from strain and physical activity and can also help to increase overall strength and health. Some simple, light protein sources that can be good before bed include cottage cheese and whey protein shakes.

Cherries

Cherries are a truly delicious fruit, and, in addition to being tasty, they’ve also been shown to help people fall asleep faster and rest more fully. So, adding a serving or two into your athlete’s daily diet definitely isn’t a bad idea.

Nuts

Nuts are yet another great, healthy snack for sounder sleep. Thanks to their high magnesium content, they ward off insomnia and restless leg syndrome. The magnesium in nuts has also been shown to help with relaxation, which, in turn, can lead to better, sounder sleep.

As you can see, there is a lot you can do, diet-wise, to promote better sleep and, thus, better performance and overall health for the athlete in your life.

The Power of Hockey Body Language

Did you know that, even when your kid isn’t saying a word, he is sending messages loud and clear? Kids, especially young hockey athletes, are very physical, and paying attention to their body language can tell you a lot about their attitude, how they’re feeling, and various other factors.  

In fact, not only should you pay attention to your child’s body language, but you should also make him aware of it and suggest areas in which body language could be improved and could send a better message.

Send Out “Confidence Cues”

It’s pretty easy to tell, from just a quick glance, whether someone is confident or not. People who stand straight and tall, who have a little bounce in their step, and who look you in the eye are people who are confident and secure.

Confident people are more well-liked by others than non-confident people, and, when it comes to the ice of a hockey rink, confident-looking players can be intimidating in all the right ways.

Explain to your child the benefit of looking confident, even when he doesn’t necessarily feel it. Encourage him to never hang his head, to always keep his shoulders back and his chest out, and to keep a look of determination and intensity on his face no matter what happens. This will send a powerful message to his opponents.

Plus, research shows that body language can actually affect how a person feels.So, even if your child is “faking it,” standing strong and proud can help him to feel more confident and to play better as a result.

Parents, the Rules Apply to You Too!

While teaching your child these truths about body language is definitely a good thing, remember that you can probably stand to learn a few things yourself.

Think, for example, about your body language when your child loses a game or makes a bad play. Do you cross your arms, lower your head, or allow those frown lines on your forehead to pop out? If so, you could be sending out a message of disappointment to your young player, which is the last thing you want to do.

Even if you say all the right things, kids are great at reading visual cues, so, when something bad happens on the ice, stand tall, smile, hug your child, and maintain overall “cheery” body language.

It will make your little one feel better. Plus, you’ll be setting a good example of positive body language for your child.

Remember, a person’s body is always sending out some kind of message; control the message it sends by following these tips.