Although the start of the NHL season is still a few weeks away, the regular season is now in full swing for girls hockey players and teams across North America.

Training camps are over, pre-season tournaments are finished and it is time for teams and players to see where they stack up relative to their competition.

Now is also the time for coaches, parents and players to think about how they’re going to prepare themselves for the playoff run.

Players and teams always come out of the gates flying in September, full of energy and enthusiasm.

But by the time the playoffs roll around, the regular season grind has taken its toll, leaving players tired, injured and performing below their full potential.

It’s those players and teams who take a pro-active approach to staying at the top of their game, on both a physical and mental level, throughout the year that are going to be their best come playoff time and have their best season ever.

Here are 5 keys to making sure you are prepared for the playoff run:

1) Put your complete player development plan in place. To have your best season ever, you have to supplement your on-ice sessions with off-ice development.

2) Always warm-up. A simple off-ice warm-up, including jogging, jumping jacks and lunges, will ensure that you are starting at full speed every time you hit the ice.

3) Start a speed and strength training program. Hockey is a game of 1-on-1 battles. The faster and stronger you are, the more battles, and the more games, you’ll win.

4) Avoid “drive-thru disasters”. Making the wrong choice at the drive-thru or rink snack-bar can have devastating effects on performance. Start bringing healthy snacks and meals with you to games and tournaments.

5) Get plenty of R&R. Remember to recover and rest. Stretch more often. Drink more water. Get more sleep.

To help you put these 5 keys in place early throughout the season so that you can be sure that you are not only prepared for the playoffs, but that you will have your best hockey season ever, check out the Total Female Hockey BEST HOCKEY SEASON EVER program.

Work Hard. Dream BIG.

Your friend and coach,

Kim