Here's a preview of some elite players in the world.
They are an inspiration to floorball players anywhere in the world.
enjoy.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Back-Up Goalies
Has anyone paid attention to the backup goalie other than the pre-game warm-up?
More often than not, I’ll say never.
Back Up goalies are usually the most ignored player on the court during games. Honestly, I sometimes forget to talk to them when I’m focused on my game. It should not be this case.
All Back Up goalies listen up. You still have an important role to play here. You should be vocal & be involved in the game. 1st, You can help your teammates prepare their game by psyching them up.
Work with your goalkeeping partner to develop a routine to encourage & pump each other up.
Scout the opposition’s goalie and tell your teammates his/her weakness.
Learn to improve yourself by studying the game and both goalies on either end. Never stay on the bench and enjoy watching the action go past like a spectator. I hate it when people do that. Go join the stands if that’s what you do.
Even when you’re not scheduled to play, take the pre-game warm-up seriously. You never know when you’ll be needed to enter the game. When that happens, a well prepared goalie will fare better than one who’s not ready. Remember this, a backup not playing well will only seal his/her fate as one (unless injury hits the first choice).
A tip for coaches here, you can task your backups to help you with statistics or intelligence gathering on opponents. Develop yourself to be a better coach by making use of stats info.
I know its tiring & unfair for back-ups to be spending so much energy on a game that you’re not likely to play. But without this attitude to humble yourself and learn from the game, you’ll deepen your learning curve and take a longer time to achieve your target.
More often than not, I’ll say never.
Back Up goalies are usually the most ignored player on the court during games. Honestly, I sometimes forget to talk to them when I’m focused on my game. It should not be this case.
All Back Up goalies listen up. You still have an important role to play here. You should be vocal & be involved in the game. 1st, You can help your teammates prepare their game by psyching them up.
Work with your goalkeeping partner to develop a routine to encourage & pump each other up.
Scout the opposition’s goalie and tell your teammates his/her weakness.
Learn to improve yourself by studying the game and both goalies on either end. Never stay on the bench and enjoy watching the action go past like a spectator. I hate it when people do that. Go join the stands if that’s what you do.
Even when you’re not scheduled to play, take the pre-game warm-up seriously. You never know when you’ll be needed to enter the game. When that happens, a well prepared goalie will fare better than one who’s not ready. Remember this, a backup not playing well will only seal his/her fate as one (unless injury hits the first choice).
A tip for coaches here, you can task your backups to help you with statistics or intelligence gathering on opponents. Develop yourself to be a better coach by making use of stats info.
I know its tiring & unfair for back-ups to be spending so much energy on a game that you’re not likely to play. But without this attitude to humble yourself and learn from the game, you’ll deepen your learning curve and take a longer time to achieve your target.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Sports Psychology
Sports Psychology is, in my mind, an important aspect of an athlete's career. Even more so in the case of a goaltender. The pressures we face can lead to anxieties or nervousness that will invariably affect our game. Sometimes I'm shocked to learn how little most people know of this subject. Not to mention the skill to apply these aspects to improve their performance on and off court.
Here's an article I've found to be useful in explaining what Sports Psychology can do to help you:
Athletes often ask me this question: “How do I know when a poor performance or error is a physical or a mental problem?” From my experience, here are a few hints that it may be a mental breakdown:
1. You perform much better in practice than during competition
2. You have a tough time performing well when others are watching you
3. You maintain many doubts about your sport before or during games
4. You feel anxious or scared when you perform in competition
5. You are not sure why you play your sport or what motivates you
6. You only participate in sports to feel better about yourself as a person
7. You lose focus or have mental lapses during critical times of the game
8. You can’t perform the way you did pre-injury, but are physically 100%
9. Everything is fine, but you just want to improve your mental attitude
Sports psychology sometimes get a bad reputation because of the association of psychology with pathology. That is why I prefer to call what I do Mental Game Coaching or Mental Training, which athletes understand. Mental game coaching is for athletes who want to improve upon their current performance and take their games to the next level with the help of a mental coach like myself.
But most athletes, unfortunately, seek out my services because of an particular performance barrier or decrease in performance. As a mental game coach, I often become the last resort after athletes have tried other means to get beyond performance slumps. I wish it wasn’t this way, but athletes wait until some needs to be “fixed” and they have exhausted all other resources before they commit to mental game coaching.
How can sport psychology help you perform better? Here is the most obvious list:
1. Improve focus and deal with distractions.
2. Grow confidence in athletes who have many doubts.
3. Develop coping skills to deal with setbacks and errors.
4. Find the right zone of intensity for your sport.
5. Help teams develop communication skills and cohesion.
6. To instill a healthy belief system and weed out irrational thoughts.
7. Improve and balance motivation for optimal performance.
8. Get back into competition after an injury is healed fully.
9. To develop game-specific strategies and game plans.
10. To identify and enter the “zone” more often.
Sport psychology may not be for every single athlete. Not everyone involved in sport wants to “improve performance.” Sport psychology is probably not for recreation athletes who just like the social component of sport. Most of my students are committed to excellence and seeing how far they can go. They love competition and testing themselves against the best in their sport. They want every possible advantage they can learn including the mental edge over the competition.
Dr. Patrick J. Cohn is a leading mental game coach who consults with Tour Pros and amateurs. He is the author of Going Low, Peak Performance Golf, The Mental Game of Golf and The Mental Art of Putting. For more information: http://www.peaksports.com
Here's an article I've found to be useful in explaining what Sports Psychology can do to help you:
Athletes often ask me this question: “How do I know when a poor performance or error is a physical or a mental problem?” From my experience, here are a few hints that it may be a mental breakdown:
1. You perform much better in practice than during competition
2. You have a tough time performing well when others are watching you
3. You maintain many doubts about your sport before or during games
4. You feel anxious or scared when you perform in competition
5. You are not sure why you play your sport or what motivates you
6. You only participate in sports to feel better about yourself as a person
7. You lose focus or have mental lapses during critical times of the game
8. You can’t perform the way you did pre-injury, but are physically 100%
9. Everything is fine, but you just want to improve your mental attitude
Sports psychology sometimes get a bad reputation because of the association of psychology with pathology. That is why I prefer to call what I do Mental Game Coaching or Mental Training, which athletes understand. Mental game coaching is for athletes who want to improve upon their current performance and take their games to the next level with the help of a mental coach like myself.
But most athletes, unfortunately, seek out my services because of an particular performance barrier or decrease in performance. As a mental game coach, I often become the last resort after athletes have tried other means to get beyond performance slumps. I wish it wasn’t this way, but athletes wait until some needs to be “fixed” and they have exhausted all other resources before they commit to mental game coaching.
How can sport psychology help you perform better? Here is the most obvious list:
1. Improve focus and deal with distractions.
2. Grow confidence in athletes who have many doubts.
3. Develop coping skills to deal with setbacks and errors.
4. Find the right zone of intensity for your sport.
5. Help teams develop communication skills and cohesion.
6. To instill a healthy belief system and weed out irrational thoughts.
7. Improve and balance motivation for optimal performance.
8. Get back into competition after an injury is healed fully.
9. To develop game-specific strategies and game plans.
10. To identify and enter the “zone” more often.
Sport psychology may not be for every single athlete. Not everyone involved in sport wants to “improve performance.” Sport psychology is probably not for recreation athletes who just like the social component of sport. Most of my students are committed to excellence and seeing how far they can go. They love competition and testing themselves against the best in their sport. They want every possible advantage they can learn including the mental edge over the competition.
Dr. Patrick J. Cohn is a leading mental game coach who consults with Tour Pros and amateurs. He is the author of Going Low, Peak Performance Golf, The Mental Game of Golf and The Mental Art of Putting. For more information: http://www.peaksports.com
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
My Take on Floorball Goaltending
Forgive me for my bias, but I strongly believe that goaltending is the most important position in team sports. In games like ours, be it ice hockey, field hockey or soccer, attention always centre around the goal crease. The goalie is the stopper. The last line of defence. But of course the glory, or focus is always on the scorers. Top players are usually in the limelight, and quite rightly so, because without them the game wouldn’t be half as fun. However, we goalies are the obstacles who stand between those top scorers and the goal.
No doubt, Floorball is a team sport that require team cohesiveness, tactics, individual skills and character. Most often, team play takes pre-eminence and individual skills are incorporated within the team strategy. But the success of a floorball team ultimately hinges on consistent goalkeeping.
All the 5 players on the court, be it a forward, centre or defender, get away with making mistakes that are not obvious or suffer concentration lapse that had no bearing on the game’s outcome. Unfortunately, a goaltender enjoy no such privileges. A single mistake or a lapse of focus will, most often than not, result in a goal. And when that happens, this mistake is further amplified by the celebratory noise of the opponents.
For this reason, goaltenders are a different breed apart from their teammates. A player’s pressure to perform well is nothing compared to that of a goalie. Players can try to run harder, tackle and hustle harder to overcome certain weakness in their play. Goalkeepers can’t afford to rest during play or shift changes. We have to deal with quick play action exchanges, read the game, anticipate, make nano quick decisions to position our bodies, play angles, stay square, communicate with our defenders, all this while reminding ourselves to put our hands up, make ourselves look big…
Man, we’re really busy.
A goaltender’s job is demanding, difficult and it requires 100% focus.
Thus credit should go to the goaltender who made those crucial saves to help his/her team the best possible chance to win a game.
No doubt, Floorball is a team sport that require team cohesiveness, tactics, individual skills and character. Most often, team play takes pre-eminence and individual skills are incorporated within the team strategy. But the success of a floorball team ultimately hinges on consistent goalkeeping.
All the 5 players on the court, be it a forward, centre or defender, get away with making mistakes that are not obvious or suffer concentration lapse that had no bearing on the game’s outcome. Unfortunately, a goaltender enjoy no such privileges. A single mistake or a lapse of focus will, most often than not, result in a goal. And when that happens, this mistake is further amplified by the celebratory noise of the opponents.
For this reason, goaltenders are a different breed apart from their teammates. A player’s pressure to perform well is nothing compared to that of a goalie. Players can try to run harder, tackle and hustle harder to overcome certain weakness in their play. Goalkeepers can’t afford to rest during play or shift changes. We have to deal with quick play action exchanges, read the game, anticipate, make nano quick decisions to position our bodies, play angles, stay square, communicate with our defenders, all this while reminding ourselves to put our hands up, make ourselves look big…
Man, we’re really busy.
A goaltender’s job is demanding, difficult and it requires 100% focus.
Thus credit should go to the goaltender who made those crucial saves to help his/her team the best possible chance to win a game.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Floorball Clip ll
Here's an 'official' video clip of IFF Floorball highlights.
Good for newcomers to this blog who wants know what floorball is about.
Be warned - clip is 9.55min long.
(IFF = International Floorball Federation)
Notice the commentator's accent. North European.
That's because the sport originated from Sweden. They produce some of the world's most exciting players, despite a population of only 9 million. Amazing!
Good for newcomers to this blog who wants know what floorball is about.
Be warned - clip is 9.55min long.
(IFF = International Floorball Federation)
Notice the commentator's accent. North European.
That's because the sport originated from Sweden. They produce some of the world's most exciting players, despite a population of only 9 million. Amazing!
Friday, May 18, 2007
Vier Minuten ll
Shows Jenny (Hannah) playing piano the other way round to spite her prison handlers.
Here's the story - a reporter is here to snap pix of a woman inmate taking part in a prestigious classical piano contest.
Very good publicity to the Warden. But unpopular decision among the other officers. (not when she just beat the living daylights of another officer)
So she was made to practice with cuffs on despite protests from Ms Kruger (Music Teacher).
Thus on this PR campaign with the media, when she was supposed to perform to the reporter, she requests for cuffs as "that's how I practised"..
Quite a character huh..
Anyway, despite fascinating everyone in the room, she got a tight slap from Ms Diane Kruger.
For being wilful and playing "negro-music".
- You have to understand that she's old school and staunch believer in traditional ways.
Oh BTW, Vier Minuten means Four Minutes in German.
Here's the story - a reporter is here to snap pix of a woman inmate taking part in a prestigious classical piano contest.
Very good publicity to the Warden. But unpopular decision among the other officers. (not when she just beat the living daylights of another officer)
So she was made to practice with cuffs on despite protests from Ms Kruger (Music Teacher).
Thus on this PR campaign with the media, when she was supposed to perform to the reporter, she requests for cuffs as "that's how I practised"..
Quite a character huh..
Anyway, despite fascinating everyone in the room, she got a tight slap from Ms Diane Kruger.
For being wilful and playing "negro-music".
- You have to understand that she's old school and staunch believer in traditional ways.
Oh BTW, Vier Minuten means Four Minutes in German.
Vier Minuten
Vier Minuten is Writer/Director Chris Kraus's second film. I have not seen his debut work but on this brilliant film, his talent is apparent.
Its a gripping tale of two ladies with an obvious generation gap. Credit to the 2 leading ladies for a stellar performance as an 80 yr old music teacher (Monica Bleibtreu) and a nihilistic delinquent, disturbed yet talented pianist (Hannah Herzsprung).
The story telling is well paced and gives its characters time to grow onto you, in its backdrop of a women's prison and everyone's hidden agenda.
Its sub-plots can be a little drag, but I guess they're there to develop characters..
There's also humour in this wonderful film, which is not necessarily corny yet works quite well with the whole theme.
And the music is good too, mixing classical music with hip-hop in a surprising, inspiring way.
Its those little things that work their way onto you, that makes the bonding between 2 very different persons seem real and engaging.
The ending is good too.
Predictable - but Chris adds a small twist that throws so much flavour to it, that you can still taste it long after the credits rolled..
Really good film.
Gets all the stars i can throw at them.
Here's a trailer. Pity there's no sub-titles.
Its a gripping tale of two ladies with an obvious generation gap. Credit to the 2 leading ladies for a stellar performance as an 80 yr old music teacher (Monica Bleibtreu) and a nihilistic delinquent, disturbed yet talented pianist (Hannah Herzsprung).
The story telling is well paced and gives its characters time to grow onto you, in its backdrop of a women's prison and everyone's hidden agenda.
Its sub-plots can be a little drag, but I guess they're there to develop characters..
There's also humour in this wonderful film, which is not necessarily corny yet works quite well with the whole theme.
And the music is good too, mixing classical music with hip-hop in a surprising, inspiring way.
Its those little things that work their way onto you, that makes the bonding between 2 very different persons seem real and engaging.
The ending is good too.
Predictable - but Chris adds a small twist that throws so much flavour to it, that you can still taste it long after the credits rolled..
Really good film.
Gets all the stars i can throw at them.
Here's a trailer. Pity there's no sub-titles.
Floorball Showcase
An edited short video of a Swedish team with many promising young players.
U-19 if the film is to be believed.
U-19 if the film is to be believed.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Martin's Blog on Floorball Goaltending
Hi! Welcome to Martin's World of Floorball Goaltending Tips & Tactics & Thoughts.
Spontaneous Spark
Sometimes you need to keep a sort of spontaneous spark to rejuvenate your game.
So what is this *spark* I'm talking about?
*Flashback*
Remember when you first started playing floorball , although you're new to the game, you can somehow make that miracle save?
For example, that cross court pass, thru all those traffic, with your opponent making that quick release towards your net - you somehow came up with a big diving, leg in air kick save..
Or it hit your mask while diving..
You know! That big save that had everyone shouting - GREAT SAVE!!!
Notice how those big saves seem to decrease, the longer you play in the game..
Wanna know why?
Based on my anaylsis, I figured there are several contributing factors to these lack of spark:-
1] Enthusiasm -
The longer you play, the more habits you'll have. The more routine moves you make, the more "bored" you are with the game.
With these lack of enthusiasm or love for the game, floorball goalkeeping has become routine work for you.
Actually, most times, it isn't so bad. You still love Innebandy of course.
But you're finding it tougher to improve your game.
Or worse, you find yourself "de-proving" or deteriorating.
2] Being Too Technical -
As you progress in your playing career, you will learn more skills, analyse & practise a lot more in your quest to be a better goalie.
But as you get too technical, putting too many logical moves or thinking hard into improving your game, there will be a time when you hit a barrier.
(You'll know you've hit one when you stop making progress)
Or you may have hit that dreaded slump.
I believe it'll happen to all goalies at some stage, irregardless of gender or age.
This can happen quite seriously anything on your 2nd - 4th season of playing.
It'll vary differently between individuals.
3] Experience -
Surprised?
Spontaneous Spark
Sometimes you need to keep a sort of spontaneous spark to rejuvenate your game.
So what is this *spark* I'm talking about?
*Flashback*
Remember when you first started playing floorball , although you're new to the game, you can somehow make that miracle save?
For example, that cross court pass, thru all those traffic, with your opponent making that quick release towards your net - you somehow came up with a big diving, leg in air kick save..
Or it hit your mask while diving..
You know! That big save that had everyone shouting - GREAT SAVE!!!
Notice how those big saves seem to decrease, the longer you play in the game..
Wanna know why?
Based on my anaylsis, I figured there are several contributing factors to these lack of spark:-
1] Enthusiasm -
The longer you play, the more habits you'll have. The more routine moves you make, the more "bored" you are with the game.
With these lack of enthusiasm or love for the game, floorball goalkeeping has become routine work for you.
Actually, most times, it isn't so bad. You still love Innebandy of course.
But you're finding it tougher to improve your game.
Or worse, you find yourself "de-proving" or deteriorating.
2] Being Too Technical -
As you progress in your playing career, you will learn more skills, analyse & practise a lot more in your quest to be a better goalie.
But as you get too technical, putting too many logical moves or thinking hard into improving your game, there will be a time when you hit a barrier.
(You'll know you've hit one when you stop making progress)
Or you may have hit that dreaded slump.
I believe it'll happen to all goalies at some stage, irregardless of gender or age.
This can happen quite seriously anything on your 2nd - 4th season of playing.
It'll vary differently between individuals.
3] Experience -
Surprised?
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