How to handle fear, anxiety, and nerves
Hockey is supposed to be fun — but pressure comes with the dream. Here’s how to handle it
Hey Hockey Family,
Hockey is supposed to be fun, right? But the higher up you climb — juniors, college, pro — the more is at stake. The pressure builds. The nerves hit. The anxiety creeps in.
I felt it myself. Before big games, my method was to turn into a savage. I’d grunt, scream, and work myself into a warzone mindset. Some players were the opposite — calm, cool, almost Zen. I never understood how they played that way.
But here’s the truth: no matter where you fall on the spectrum, the pressure is real. The question is: how do you handle it?
Here are five ways to deal with the pressure:
1. Shift your mindset: You never lose.
No matter what happens — win or lose, good game or bad game — you’re learning. If you use every game to study what you did right and what to fix, you can’t lose.
2. Look to your teammates.
Everyone feels the nerves. But relish it — you’re going to battle together. Years later, you’ll look back and realize those warzone moments with teammates were some of the most special of your life.
3. Stay grateful.
Pressure disappears when you focus on gratitude. Be thankful for the gift of the game, for the chance to lace up and play. Gratitude keeps you in the present moment.
4. Play for the names.
The front of the jersey: your team trusted you enough to put you on that roster. You belong there. The back of the jersey: your family name. Represent it with honor, heart, and effort.
5. Ask yourself: what’s the worst that can happen?
Maybe you lose. Maybe you play like crap. Big deal. That’s part of the journey. Best case? You get to be the hero. Either way, you’ll walk off the ice knowing you gave everything.
So the next time fear and nerves creep in, smile. Pressure means you’re chasing something that matters. Step onto the ice knowing you’ll give it your very best — and sometimes, that’s all that matters.
See you in the warzone,
—Bobby Robins, savage motivator, ex hockey pro
PS: Handling pressure comes down to preparation. When you’ve put in the extra reps, the nerves can’t shake you. With Wraparound protecting your blade and Puckaround built to feel like the real thing, you can put in the reps anytime, anywhere. Pressure fades when you know you’re ready.