GDS Elite-Parents

GOALIE PARENTS:

The parents content page is hear to help guide goalie parents with the many ups and downs of the position. All topics discussed are developed through 20 years of GDS experiences, many to all may relate to you. If you have any questions or would like to discuss more reach out to your GDS coach, enjoy!

MONTHLY READINGS:

SEPTEMBER: Dealing with a tough loss.

Being an ice hockey goalie parent involves a unique set of responsibilities and considerations. Here are three key points to focus on:

Support and Encouragement:
- Positive Reinforcement: Celebrate your child’s successes and efforts, regardless of the outcome of the game. Goalies face a lot of pressure, and knowing their parents are supportive can boost their confidence.
- Constructive Feedback: Offer feedback in a constructive and positive manner. Focus on effort and improvement rather than just results. Encourage them to learn from their mistakes without being overly critical.
Understanding the Position:
- Learn About Goaltending: Educate yourself about the role and responsibilities of a goalie. Understanding the technical and mental aspects of goaltending can help you better support your child.
- Mental Toughness: Recognize the mental challenges goalies face. Help your child develop resilience and a positive mindset. Teach them to stay focused and calm under pressure.
Practical Support:
- Proper Equipment: Ensure your child has the right gear that fits well and provides adequate protection. Safety and comfort are crucial for a goalie’s performance.
- Balanced Schedule: Help manage your child's schedule to ensure they have time for practice, games, rest, and other interests. Avoid overloading them with too many commitments to prevent burnout.

By focusing on these aspects, you can provide a supportive and nurturing environment for your child to thrive as a goalie.

OCTOBER: Best ways to maintain a strong work ethic out of you child.

Hockey goalie parents have a unique role in supporting and motivating their kids. Here are some ways they can encourage hard work consistently:
1. Focus on the Process, Not Just Results

Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge every save, quick recovery, or well-placed positioning, not just wins and shutouts. This reinforces the hard work behind the results.
Discuss Goals and Growth: Help set small, realistic goals for each practice or game. For example, focusing on quick lateral movement or handling rebounds well can keep them engaged in improving.

2. Encourage Resilience

Normalize Mistakes: As a goalie, they’re bound to let in goals sometimes. Remind them that mistakes are part of the game, and the key is learning from them.
Model Resilience: Talk about times when you had to work hard despite setbacks. It shows that resilience and persistence lead to improvement.

3. Make Training Fun

Add Variety: Mix in drills and fun challenges that develop specific skills, like reaction time or flexibility. Goalies can work on reflexes in non-hockey ways, like racquetball or quick-feet drills.
Engage with a Supportive Community: Finding a group of friends or a goalie mentor can help build a positive association with hard work.

NOVEMBER: Promoting Consistency.

Consistency is a key factor in a child’s success in hockey—or any sport—and parents play a big role in developing this habit. Here are some ways parents can encourage consistency in their children:
1. Create a Routine Together

Sit down with your child to build a practice or activity schedule they can realistically stick to, balancing school, sports, and free time.
Involve them in the planning process to make them feel ownership over their routine, whether it’s weekly practice, off-ice training, or schoolwork.

2. Set Small, Achievable Goals

Help them set short-term goals that they can work toward each week, like improving a specific skill or practicing a new technique for a few minutes daily.
Celebrate each milestone or improvement, which can motivate them to keep going. Consistency feels rewarding when progress is noticeable.

3. Model Consistency in Your Own Actions

Show that consistency is important in everything—not just sports. Talk about your own commitments, such as work or fitness, and how you stay on track even when it’s tough.
Kids learn by watching, so demonstrating your own routine will reinforce the message that sticking with things is valuable.

By supporting a balanced, positive approach to their commitments, parents can help kids build the habit of consistency that will benefit them in hockey and beyond.

DECEMBER: Coming soon!

JANUARY: Coming soon!

FEBUARY: Coming soon!

Equipment:

Sports Etc. located in Arlington MA, is the top hockey store in the area. GDS has been partnered with Sports etc. for 10 plus years with nothing but the best service. Paul Stanton, owner, will guide and educate you on all gear and what is the best fit for your child based on age, size, skill level.

Reach out the sports etc., and be sure to mention GDS sent you!

www.sportsetc.net/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwqf20BhBwEiwAt7dtdSP7QNjkO8QV1RUCwiiT8CdACyweRDX_SuN16QdbUHLb4qyDONo_KRoCEkQQAvD_BwE