The summer months are here and for many the skates, sticks and ice have given way to bats, balls and blades of grass. And while young athletes may yearn for the start of hockey season in a few months, concentrating on other sports and off-ice activities during the off-season may be the best way to prepare for the drop of the puck next fall.
The off-season provides a perfect opportunity for young athletes at all levels to develop both physically and mentally. Participation in other sports, along with various off-ice drills and programs, can help players stay sharp for the following season.
Mentally recharging should not be overlooked, as “burnout” due to extreme focus on just one sport can force great hockey players out of the game. Too often, overeager parents can push kids to the brink.
Playing summer sports can be of great influence to both the physical and mental sides of hockey.
On the cognitive training side, programs such as The Hockey IntelliGym can be a perfect fit in the summer when kids may not be facing the additional important time constraints from school. IntelliGym is a software-based training tool designed to help develop players’ cognitive abilities.
Adapted from a program originally designed to help develop Israeli fighter pilots, the IntelliGym focuses on developing “hockey I.Q.” or hockey sense. With a recommended regimen of using the product for 30 minutes twice per week, players should view the IntelliGym like a workout for the brain.
"We have seen kids spend time honing the cognitive side of their game with IntelliGym over the summer return to camp substantially better players. The summer can be a time of great gains if used wisely," said Danny Dankner CEO of Applied Cognitive Engineering who make the IntelliGym.
Most importantly during the off-season, kids should continue to have fun with family and friends no matter what the activity, so that when the weather turns this fall, they are ready to hit the ice flying.