Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - Sam Bennett Value: Have the Flames held on TOO long? OR is he awesome?

timbit · 04-11-2018, 07:27 PM

( posted this in Trade Speculation Thread]

Sam, from my observations, has a major problem is in his game. The good news is that it can be remedied. It will take a lot of commitment and discipline from him and probably a lot of help from a qualified mental skills coach.

His mental skills ,look to me , to be his greatest liability. He has high expectations, I am sure, as he is very skilled and talented . However, Sam is easily distracted ( bad pass by a teammate , poor choice by himself, not playing as much as he thinks he deserves etc.}and as a result loses his focus. There is a direct correlation between positive mental energy and positive physical energy. ....negative mental energy and negative physical energy.

Pre game

Starting 18 hours before leaving for the rink for game ...8 five minute mental preparation sessions by himself focused on...

1) MENTAL REHEARSAL - reviewing systems in all zones, special teams role and responsibilities, face off situations and responsibilities etc
Result- he is acting and reacting at top speed when the game starts. The game is to fast to think during the game.

2) MENTAL IMAGERY- building his own mental highlight film that he can see in his minds eye. Great things he has done in previous games..etc. Geeting jack about how good you are going to perform.

3) SELF TALK- talking yourself and your game up based on when you are at your best.

IN GAME

1) PARK NEGATIVE ENERGY- Have a symbol on the butt end of your stick. Whether it be a bad call , bad play by teammate , opponent , something you didn’t like that was said by a coach...etc. Focus on the symbol and get rid of all of the ####ty thoughts by parking them on the symbol ,,,,takes focus. After every shift, as soon as you come back to bench.

2) RESET- inhale through nose- 4 seconds... hold for 4 seconds...exhale through mouth for 4 seconds.
3 Sets.

3) MENTAL IMAGERY again . Get excited about how good you are going to be next shift.

If you come off the ice and have a negative attitude regarding your last shift and do not use a routine to reset...you will regress the next shift.

To reiterate , the correlation is so strong between positive/ negative mental energy and positive / negative physical energy . It is quite amazing and scientifically proven.

Bottom line...doing the WORK before the game would allow Sam to be excited about how good he is going to be as opposed to worrying about mistakes and other useless things. The game would become fun for him again.

This unwillingness or ignorance of building a reliable mental preparation routine and in game “ stay in the moment “ routine ( between shifts) are some of the major reasons he looks so weak at times on his skates and takes so many undisciplined penalties. When he is “on” ...he is fast, strong on the puck , makes good plays, instinctively. These instances are few and far between.

In game resets, If you doubt me, just look at Sams facial expressions during a game.
Frustration, weakness and negativity personified.

Bottom line...whatever you’re telling yourself you’re probably right.

IMO, the positive difference in his game would be markedly noticeable with corresponding positive results.

04-11-2018, 07:27 PM	#431
timbit Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Exp:	( posted this in Trade Speculation Thread] Sam, from my observations, has a major problem is in his game. The good news is that it can be remedied. It will take a lot of commitment and discipline from him and probably a lot of help from a qualified mental skills coach. His mental skills ,look to me , to be his greatest liability. He has high expectations, I am sure, as he is very skilled and talented . However, Sam is easily distracted ( bad pass by a teammate , poor choice by himself, not playing as much as he thinks he deserves etc.}and as a result loses his focus. There is a direct correlation between positive mental energy and positive physical energy. ....negative mental energy and negative physical energy. Pre game Starting 18 hours before leaving for the rink for game ...8 five minute mental preparation sessions by himself focused on... 1) MENTAL REHEARSAL - reviewing systems in all zones, special teams role and responsibilities, face off situations and responsibilities etc Result- he is acting and reacting at top speed when the game starts. The game is to fast to think during the game. 2) MENTAL IMAGERY- building his own mental highlight film that he can see in his minds eye. Great things he has done in previous games..etc. Geeting jack about how good you are going to perform. 3) SELF TALK- talking yourself and your game up based on when you are at your best. IN GAME 1) PARK NEGATIVE ENERGY- Have a symbol on the butt end of your stick. Whether it be a bad call , bad play by teammate , opponent , something you didn’t like that was said by a coach...etc. Focus on the symbol and get rid of all of the ####ty thoughts by parking them on the symbol ,,,,takes focus. After every shift, as soon as you come back to bench. 2) RESET- inhale through nose- 4 seconds... hold for 4 seconds...exhale through mouth for 4 seconds. 3 Sets. 3) MENTAL IMAGERY again . Get excited about how good you are going to be next shift. If you come off the ice and have a negative attitude regarding your last shift and do not use a routine to reset...you will regress the next shift. To reiterate , the correlation is so strong between positive/ negative mental energy and positive / negative physical energy . It is quite amazing and scientifically proven. Bottom line...doing the WORK before the game would allow Sam to be excited about how good he is going to be as opposed to worrying about mistakes and other useless things. The game would become fun for him again. This unwillingness or ignorance of building a reliable mental preparation routine and in game “ stay in the moment “ routine ( between shifts) are some of the major reasons he looks so weak at times on his skates and takes so many undisciplined penalties. When he is “on” ...he is fast, strong on the puck , makes good plays, instinctively. These instances are few and far between. In game resets, If you doubt me, just look at Sams facial expressions during a game. Frustration, weakness and negativity personified. Bottom line...whatever you’re telling yourself you’re probably right. IMO, the positive difference in his game would be markedly noticeable with corresponding positive results.