How to Use Music to Prepare for Game Time

How to Use Music to Prepare for Game Time

You're getting ready for game time. Everyone cranks up their music to get pumped. But if you think music is just about hype, you’re missing the point. I learned on those thousands of hours traveling by bus that using your music the right way helps you a lot more than you think it does.

Your main job getting ready for a game isn't just to feel good. It’s to mentally prepare for the actual plays. You need to be thinking about the things you’re going to do differently than last game. Or focusing on what the coach is telling you that you need to be good at.

The real work is visualizing yourself doing those things correctly. See it in slow motion, then at regular speed. Imagine it from all different scenarios: above the ice, ice level, from the goaltender’s perspective, or even looking from your stick blade at the net. Think of it like a movie playing in your head. The more in-depth you get, the better you’re training your brain to become aware of those scenarios when they pop up in a game.

Music can absolutely help you stay motivated while doing this. But using it the right way is critical. Here are a couple rules you may want to consider when you’re using music to get in the groove.

New music is distracting. Your brain focuses on that new song, trying to learn it, instead of focusing on the game. You're there to prepare, not discover your next favorite track. Stick to familiar songs. They fade into the background.

If the words in a song pull you away from visualizing or thinking about the game, find something else. Your playlist should support your focus, not compete with it. Instrumental tracks are often best because they remove this distraction entirely.

If your music amps you up to a point where you’re getting angry or overly emotional, it’s taking away from its main responsibility. Music is background noise. It’s there to help you focus on the things you need to do for your game. Everything else is a distraction.

Music should be a tool to help you focus solely on your performance. It's about what you need to do, your responsibilities, or the specific things your coach told you to work on.

Music is background noise. It’s there to help you focus on the things you need to do for your game. Everything else is a distraction.

This might not seem like a big deal, but when you learn to do it correctly, it can be a huge help. You’re practicing sending signals to your muscles before you even get dressed in your gear and hit the ice. Your brain sends signals to those parts of your body that are required to make those actions happen. So if you’re able to visualize better, you’re helping your brain practice.

I used to get really good at it. To the point where I would sweat and even twitch during certain intense visualizations. That’s how real it can feel. I’m not saying you can't ever change songs or add something new. But you want to quickly get to the point where you can focus entirely on what you need to do to be successful in the game. That’s the goal.