Self-reflection helps hockey players develop

ESPN.com has a strong offering on the development of the young members of the Los Angeles Kings’ defensive group, including Alec Martinez. He has an interesting observation of how part of the learning curve isn't just the nuts and bolts of playing the game but adjusting to the mental challenges.

"One of the biggest things that I've learned since I turned pro; beforehand, sometimes it's hard when hockey's the only thing you do,” Martinez said. “When I played in college I always had class and I had things to get my mind off the game. It's important to be able to step away and step back and kind of look at the bigger picture sometimes. During breaks, the Olympics break, it gives you an opportunity to get away from the game a little bit mentally and then kind of refocus and sit back and reflect. I think that's definitely a part of it.

"There's a time and a place, playoffs probably isn't the best place. If you're reflecting then it means that you didn't do a good enough job. As a player, you've got to be able to learn to step back and take a big-picture look at things. I think self-evaluation is important. You can't get too hard on yourself but you also can't get too full of yourself."

Martinez was asked what he does to step away from the game.

"I think it's different for every guy. Every guy's got a maybe a hobby or something he can do to free your mind," Martinez said. "I don't mean to sound like a hippie or anything, I don't mean that, but I think anything that occupies your time that you enjoy. For me whether it's hanging out with friends and family or doing activities, shooting skeet, if you really want to get your anger out, or go to the batting cages.

"I've done that stuff. But it's not a regular hobby it's not like, 'Oh I'm having a tough day I'm going to go shoot guns.' It's not that at all," he quickly added.

Source: Scott Burnside, ESPN.com