“A confident goalie is a successful goalie. Building self-esteem is a critical component in a goalie’s success.” - Martin Brodeur

Goalies are some of the most important players on a hockey team. They have the difficult task of defending the goal and preventing the opposing team from scoring. They can be the difference between winning and losing a game. They are unique members of any team and a focused approach is required to help them be consistent and effective at their position.

As a COR.E Performance Dynamics Specialist, I understand the key to building up a successful goalie is by focusing on their energy and the power of their mindset. One crucial aspect of this is building up their self-esteem. Goalies need to be confident and secure in their abilities to perform at their best. A goalie with high self-esteem is more likely to take calculated risks and make bold saves in crucial moments of the game.

“When a goalie is confident, they are able to trust their instincts and play to their full potential. Building self-esteem is crucial for a goalie to succeed.”

– Carey Price

Here are five ways to build up your goalie’s self-esteem from an energy leadership approach:

1. Focus on Positive Reinforcement

As a coach or parent, it’s important to remember that every goalie is unique and has their own strengths and weaknesses. Instead of focusing on what your goalie isn’t doing well, focus on what they are doing right. Positive reinforcement can help build confidence and self-esteem. Celebrate their successes, no matter how small, and let them know that you see their hard work and progress in their preparation and/or play.

2. Use Empowering Language

The language we use can have a significant impact on our energy and self-esteem. As a coach or parent, use empowering language to uplift your goalie. Instead of saying, “you messed up,” say, “let’s work on being more effective next time.” Avoid negative labels like a “bad game” and instead, focus on their strengths and abilities; focus on what they did well. Encourage them to use positive self-talk as opposed to inner critical language. This can help them feel more confident and in control of their current experience.

3. Set Realistic Goals

Setting realistic goals is crucial to building up your goalie’s self-esteem. Goals should be challenging but attainable, and progress should be tracked to show how far they’ve come. Focus on who they need to be, using positive affirmations. Keep their intentions for how they will play in the game simple and attainable. As for their target, giving their team a chance to win, by keeping the within two goals can be encouraging to a goalie. By setting goals, not associated with just winning and losing, your goalie will feel a sense of accomplishment and pride, more often, which will help boost their self-esteem. Remember to celebrate milestones and progress, as success is more than just the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, but rather the growth that happens on the journey there. Goals should be a measure of  progress not an outcome that defines a goalie with a label or a judgement.

4. Provide Constructive Feedback

Feedback is essential for improvement, but it’s important to provide it in a constructive way. Instead of criticizing errors, provide feedback on how to improve and be even more effective. This is because energy goes where focus goes. Ask questions to help them reflect on their performance and encourage them to take ownership of their decisions that were not effective and work to correct them. By providing constructive feedback, you can help your goalie learn from their decisions. They will grow in their awareness, understanding and confidence.

5. Encourage Self-Care

Self-care is crucial to building a positive mindset and a healthy sense of self. Encourage your goalie to take care of themselves physically, mentally, and emotionally. Encourage them to get enough sleep, eat well, and take time to relax and recharge. Let them know it is OK to ask for what they need. If something is bothering them, be the safe space for them to express it. This will help them feel more secure, energized and confident in all areas of their lives.

“A goalie’s confidence is directly tied to their on-ice performance. Building up their self-esteem is essential for success.”

– Roberto Luongo

Finally, building up your goalie’s self-esteem is crucial to their success on and off the ice. As an IPEC COR.E Performance Dynamics Specialist, I understand that the key to building self-esteem is through positive reinforcement, empowering language, realistic goal setting, constructive feedback, and effective self-care. By implementing these five strategies, you can help your goalie feel more confident and secure in their abilities, leading to better performances and a more positive energy mindset overall.

“The most important thing for a goalie is to believe in themselves. When they have confidence in their abilities, they can accomplish anything on the ice.”

– Henrik Lundqvist