Playing Your Aces
I’m not much of a card player, but even I can understand this one.
When you are dealt a hand of cards, you always have your high cards
and your low cards. And if you are playing to win, you usually have to
rely on your high cards.
Winning in cards is no different than winning in hockey and in life.
You have to play to your strengths – or as I like to call it:
::: PLAY YOUR ACES :::
If you are a great forechecker and defensive forward, play to your strengths.
Get the puck deep and get it back. Catch someone on the backcheck and create
the turnover that starts the rush the other way. Those are your aces.
Don’t try to be a fancy dangler or hang out at the far blueline looking for the
breakaway pass. That’s not you.
When you try to be something you’re not and focus on playing your low cards,
you don’t honor your true and best self.
If you are a rushing defenseman who contributes offensively, play those aces
every chance you get. Get up the ice quickly and make sure your shots get through.
If you play a certain style as a goalie, don’t worry about or focus on how the other
goalies play – be true to yourself.
Whether it’s on or off the ice, we tend to focus on the things we’re not great
at instead of the areas where we excel. You might be great at English and
struggle in math class. Instead of whining about how tough math is and focusing
on your low cards, why not celebrate your success in English and play your aces?
You’re still going to have to work hard at your math to bring it to the next level,
but don’t allow your frustration in that area to take away from how good you
are at English.
I always tell my players that they made the team for a reason. We didn’t put them
on the roster because of their weaknesses; we chose them because of their strengths.
It is their responsibility to showcase those strengths and play their aces every time
they step on the ice. Players must remember that they are a piece of a greater puzzle
within the team. If you struggle in one area, odds are there a few other players on your
team that excel in that area. You are on the team because you are great at a few key
pieces that help complete your team’s puzzle. Those are your aces. And if the entire
team consistently places their aces, both the team and the individual will shine.
I hope this simple concept helps you to think about all the great things you have
to offer on and off the ice and reminds you to “Play Your Aces” as much as you can.
Please feel free to pass this message along to anyone who you think might
benefit from reading it.
Work Hard. Dream BIG. Play Your Aces.
~ Coach Kim
Kim McCullough, MSc, YCS
Director & Founder, Total Female Hockey
