On the Inside Edge

Implement tactics used by Stanley Cup champions to train mental skills.

Achieving excellence on the ice is a culmination of countless hours of physical training, but the importance of mental preparation cannot be overstated. On the Inside Edge: Mastering Hockey’s Mental Game explores the most important psychologicalaspects of the game, offering guidance based on the latest research in sport science as well as behind-the-scenes insights and observations.

Author Ryan Hamilton, an experienced sport psychology consultant, has helped the Tampa Bay Lightning win two (and counting) Stanley Cups during his tenure and now shares his knowledge of various psychological themes with hockey players of all levels. Activities for training mental skills, with instructions, are provided to help players and coaches apply the content to their own training and development. Key psychological domains covered in the book include these:

• Grit
• Confidence
• Resilience
• Dealing with adversity
• Competitiveness

The author’s experience in high-level sports helps him illustrate psychological concepts with stories about issues he has helped athletes address, personal and professional hurdles he has encountered, interviews he has conducted with pro hockey players, and more. Real-world applications bring hockey psychology into clear focus for readers. Examples of how things work in the NHL, in international competitions, and in junior hockey give players and coaches the tools to implement mental skills training the way professionals do.

Readers from all levels of the game will come away from On the Inside Edge with a host of on-ice and off-ice mental strategies to enhance their performance and feel more prepared for the next steps in their hockey career.