Why “Working harder than you play” is a good idea.
We all know that teammate who is a total beast in practice and lags during games. They just tear it up on the breakout drill, skating like lightning with passes so crisp that scouts see big league potential. This guy can snipe your own goalie with ease on the staged 5 v 2 power play sesh. A monster during practice but when games come about something happens….
Combat Ready
This is a big problem 1 and extends to every corner of performance centered activities. From chess to gymnastics to ice hockey to SAT exams to “in real life” dating to professional work to medical operations and more. My father used to say that you want to be ready for combat.
What he meant was you need to be focused on the endgame. If the idea of training is to be better during gametime, then you should train for the games. Some dangles may look great during practice, but a gametime shoulder through your chest will not end up well for you. Think about what you are doing and ask if is this applicable for gametime. Dad would liken ice hockey to kayaking. When big waves come are you combat ready or will you tighten up and let the wave swallow you?
Randomness
Sometimes it goes by chaos, stochasticism, unpredictability, etc. The reality is that what is coming your way is not known by you nor will it ever be. We need to deal and adapt to the chasm before we fly off the ledge. Think about this in the light of ice hockey, and it becomes apparent that this chasm is moving to get you.
Ice Hockey is about playing against others and they are trying their hardest to beat you. Every move you make causes an adaptation on the other side. That toe drag you have perfected via using your Xenopuck will work the first time, maybe the second, and usually not the third time. It may be that the toe drag never even gets a chance to shine. We need to be ready for combat. Next time you are practicing think about where your eyes are, the arc of the puck when pulling into you, the exit after the move has been performed, and what you’re response time is to the next attacker. This type of thinking is combat effective and provides proper preparation.
Now that the usual “unusually long” introduction to our main idea is over we can talk about something very important.
Train Harder than you Play
I once had an ice hockey coach by the name of Rick Smith who taught me this simple but powerful idea to “train harder than you play”. What he meant is that your practice reps should exceed the intensity that you expect to deal with during gameplay.
For most who play ice hockey there is a competitiveness that elevates during gametime. We strive to beat the other team in any (legal and usually ethical) way possible. Which creates an environment of split-second decisions and for most physical actions there is not a lot of analytical thinking. For instance, while skating we don’t think of our stride, but rather let our body take over. It is familiar to being in a mental flow state but one that joins body, mind, and intuition.
Logically you should create a dynamic where you train your body and mind to deal with circumstances involving the ice hockey game. Ideally it is the level where the practice and game player merge into one. Training becomes an extension of the game. When you move from one environment to the other there is only comfor. No nerves, no anxiety, no fear. The only way to accomplish this is to train with a rigor that exceeds what comes at you at gametime. One small example of this is to learn how to shoot properly at high speeds. During practice instead of going at 50% speed while shooting on a goalie, aim for 80% speed and shoot with your feet still moving. I can tell you that this is quite difficult. Another idea is during 1v1’s against a defenseman perform moves with your head up and at high speeds. This way you are working with a realistic mentality of “training harder than you play”.
While Rick Smith is no longer with us, his lessons will live on in my life and for that I am grateful. God rest his soul.
Xenopucks and ice hockey training
We would be remiss to not mention how the Xenopuck fits into ice hockey training per the above thoughts. As many know already the Xenopuck replicates the ice puck very well. This is especially so on smooth surfaces such as tennis courts, roller rinks, and more. However, rough surfaces definitely make the Xenopuck more volatile. Try some drills on the rough surface and after a while you will see your body and mind adapt. Then come gametime your newfound dexterity will surely pay dividends.
Another thought along this line is with something like a saucer pass. Getting a nice flat sauce with the Xenopuck is a serious challenge. Check this article on what it feels like to get a nice one. Xenopuck Sauce. When saucing with the Xenopuck your form must be impeccable. It may take some time, but after you get it down with the Xenopuck then the ice puck is easy peasy.
The last note with the Xenopuck is regarding shooting. Xenopucks are the same size as ice pucks and also weigh in at 6oz just like a legit ice puck. The difference is again in the volatility. Many off ice pucks will stay flat and weigh less so when you practice with them your shot is thunderous. Unfortunately, this doesn’t translate to the ice. During a game the puck rolls, is bouncing, off the sweet spot, and overall just chaotic. The Xenopuck even on a smooth surface will replicate this behavior. Just like saucing your form for shooting needs to be top notch. Once you get the form down with a Xeno then the ice puck feels like a piece of cake.
In Conclusione
Most people’s goal when training in ice hockey is become better in the actual game. Lost of people are what we call practice players. This where we cannot match our practice performance with our game performance. One tried and proven way to overcome this block is to “train harder than you play”. Don’t take it easy in practice just because no one is competing. Think about your regimen in the light of how it will play out in a game. This way when gametime comes there will be no thought about it. Allow the mind and body to be as one, then take it from there. All our best to everyone out there and God Bless.
Written By:
Carter LaVigne
Resources:
1. Enea, F. (n.d.). Enea’s Corner: Practice player vs. game player. USSSA Pride. Retrieved August 4, 2025, from https://www.usssapride.com/eneas-corner-practice-player-vs-game-player/