This is the third in a 4-part series on mastering the mental side of hockey - developed in partnership with Felix Denayer, Olympic Gold Medalist, World Cup winner, and long-time captain of the Belgian national team.
When the match is on the line, the real challenge isn’t physical - it’s mental.
Your heart rate spikes. Your thoughts race. The crowd’s loud. The coach is watching.
But here’s the truth: pressure is just energy.
And the best players? They know how to use it.
Pressure isn’t the enemy. Distraction is.
Here’s how to handle it:
- Reframe it. Pressure means you’re in a moment that matters - that’s a privilege, not a problem.
- Breathe. One deep inhale, one slow exhale. This grounds your nervous system.
- Focus on one thing. Your first touch. Your footwork. The player you’re marking. Strip it back.
- Keep it small. Don’t play the whole game in your head. Just win your next moment.
This is where less is more really matters.
Fewer thoughts. Fewer distractions. Less noise.
Just you and the moment.
It’s the same way we design our gear.
Clean. Focused. Built for the big moments.
So when pressure hits - simplify, reset, and own it.