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