Developing Practice Habits: The Key to Elevating Your Game

When does playing for fun transform into the relentless pursuit of excellence? Is the journey toward mastery a natural progression fueled by passion, or is it a deliberate and methodical endeavor? The fine line between enjoying a sport and dedicating oneself to refining it is what separates the good from the great.

Throughout history, prodigies have demonstrated that practice, when approached with intent, can shape an athlete’s trajectory. Tiger Woods had a golf club in his hands before most kids could tie their shoes. Serena Williams' childhood training regiment was borderline military-grade. Wayne Gretzky? He was sketching plays into the ice with his skates before he was in kindergarten. And let’s not forget Mozart, who had already composed symphonies before most of us figured out how to color inside the lines. Their success wasn’t a happy accident- it was the result of thousands of hours of focused practice.

But not everyone is a prodigy. Some of the greatest athletes weren’t born with an instruction manual for greatness; they played the game for fun and let their passion fuel their progression. Sidney Crosby didn’t just love hockey- he obsessed over it. He turned his parents’ basement into a shooting gallery, refining his craft long before he hit the NHL. For many players, it isn’t about being the most naturally gifted- it’s about outworking those who are.

I look at practice habits like letter grades- if you want to be an A+ player, you can’t afford to have D- habits. Talent alone isn’t enough; the players who separate themselves are the ones who refine their skills, stay disciplined, and put in the hours long before the lights come on. As my career progressed and my natural abilities started to decline (sadly, no one outruns Father Time), I had to compensate by sharpening my practice habits. I could no longer rely on talent alone- I had to outwork, out prepare, and outthink my opponents.

The days of showing up to a skate with a mild afterglow from the night before were over (I’d like to go back and have a stern chat with my younger self about this). In hindsight, one of my biggest regrets is the “what if?” What if I had done absolutely everything possible to maximize my potential? That’s the defining difference between those who squeeze every drop of ability out of themselves and those who leave untapped potential on the table.

So, let’s get into it- how do you take your practice habits from good to elite?

The Foundation of Elite Practice Habits

1. Consistency is Everything

If you want to get better, there’s no magic formula- it’s all about consistency. And in my experience, the best development formula is simple: Reps + Volume × Coaching = Growth. The more quality reps you put in, the better you get. It’s that simple.

Young athletes should focus on being great athletes first- running, jumping, throwing, and playing multiple sports. The best hockey players tend to be great at other sports, too. A ridiculous number of NHL players are scratch golfers, former baseball studs, or ex-soccer standouts. Having a broad athletic base helps develop coordination, body control, and overall game sense.

I wish I had paid more attention to stretching and mobility when I was younger. I also wish I had been more willing to embrace the gym. The reality? I hate lifting weights- it’s boring. I love playing the game, thinking through plays, and outwitting opponents. But I learned (the hard way) that you don’t get to have one without the other. Training is just as important as playing, and without a strong foundation, you’re setting yourself up for a shorter career.

2. Skating: The Foundation of All Development

Skating is the great equalizer. If you can’t skate at a high level, you can’t play at a high level. Period.

Just like an unstable foundation makes a building weak, a weak skating base makes every other part of your game fall apart. The best players- McDavid, MacKinnon, Makar, Hughes- are all elite skaters.

My dad knew this, which is why I spent hours in power skating sessions. When I was about to make the jump to the WHL, I started using a skating treadmill to simulate game-speed footwork. At the time, I thought it was overkill. Looking back? Best decision I ever made.

Skating isn’t just about speed- it’s about agility, power, and control. The best players pivot and transition with ease, while others struggle to keep up. Think about how many changes of possession happen in an NHL game. Now imagine being the defenseman pivoting at every one of those changes or the forward who has to slam on the brakes at full speed to turn and backcheck. If you don’t have elite skating mechanics, good luck keeping up.

3. Puck Handling & Passing: Mastering the Details

When I was a kid, we improved our puck skills by playing road hockey and shinny. We didn’t have fancy training aids- just a tennis ball, a garage door, and a whole lot of driveway hockey. Today’s players have synthetic ice, rebounders, and passing aids that fire pucks back like a human teammate. If you’re not using these tools to get better, you’re missing out.

Consider this: in a 60-minute NHL game, even the best players only have the puck on their stick for about 45-85 seconds total. That’s it. So what happens when you turn the puck over? Or if you keep missing the net? Do you think your coach will reward you with more ice time? Spoiler alert: he won’t.

The best players treat every touch like it matters because, in reality, it does.

4. Compete Level: Bringing Game Intensity to Practice

When I was younger, I played because I loved the game. Winning was fun, but my compete level wasn’t anything special. My dad had to sit me down and give me a reality check: "You realize all your friends are going to be competing for the same roster spots, right?" That was when it clicked- there was a difference between playing and competing.

Fast forward to today: there are 736 NHL jobs in the world. That’s it. So if you’re not competing every single day, someone else is. Are you going to let them take your spot?

5. Hockey IQ & Awareness: Thinking the Game Faster

Hockey IQ is like having Back to the Future II’s sports almanac- you already know what’s going to happen before it happens. The smartest players study film, break down opponents, and understand tendencies. Do you know how the other team forechecks? What plays they like to run with the goalie pulled? Their PK structure? The players who do- they win more often.

6. Conditioning & Recovery: The Often-Overlooked Factor

"You can’t outwork a bad diet."  Took me way too long to figure that one out. If your nutrition sucks, your performance will, too. The same goes for stretching, recovery, and overall body maintenance. Treat your body like a sports car, not a beater held together by duct tape and good intentions.

Final Thoughts: Are You Investing or Hoping?

If there were a battery icon that showed how close you got to your potential, would you be proud of the percentage? Success isn’t random- it’s built through habits, discipline, and work. Every day is an investment in your future. Stack enough good days together, and when the time comes to make a withdrawal, you’ll be glad you did.

So, are you investing in yourself, or just hoping things work out?🏒

About the Author

Darrell Hay’s "potential battery" is a concept he wishes existed- because he’d love to know just how close he got to maxing out his talent. A once-laid-back kid who just "played" the game, he’s now the guy who preaches consistency, preparation, and stacking good habits like compounding interest. He believes the players who ask questions, put in the work, and actually care about getting better are the ones who go the farthest. These days, he’s still trying to figure out if stretching is actually good for you, and if vegetables are, in fact, edible. Jury’s still out- but he’s leaning towards “yes” on both.