In this challenge players attempt to last ten complete days without uttering a negative statement to anyone, especially themselves. You will see a remarkable change in your players as they become more self- aware of their unfavourable attitudes and all negative programming around them. Next in your mental training begin to consider offering players some techniques that they can use on game days. Progressive Muscle Relaxation or the Jocobsen Technique is a method for controlling ones arousal levels. Stress manifests itself directly in the body.
Muscles especially receive the brunt of stress becoming rigid and tight.
In sport this rigidity is contrary to performance. In hockey players bodies must be fluid to allow for the complexity of skill that is required. PMR techniques involves the gradual tensing and relaxation of major muscle groups in the body. To perform this technique you start at the head and work down the body or at the toes and work up. Contract or tense the each muscle group one to three times, holding then relaxing.