What Even is Hockey Sense?

Hey Hockey Hacks Community

Are you able to define what “Hockey Sense” is?

Let's dive into this mysterious world.

I had a debate with someone privately on what Hockey Sense really is and how it plays into the dynamics of skilled and unskilled players. But what I’ve noticed is that it's a term thrown around a lot, yet one of the most poorly defined in the hockey community.

Here's the kicker – "sense" isn't exclusive to hockey. It's universal, extending to basketball, football, soccer and all sports, business, and things you do in life itself.

So what is “Sense”? Is it awareness of your surroundings? Is it ability to play the game? Is it good judgment of what to do next?

Well sure, all that shows up in hockey games. But that also shows up in EVERY AREA IN YOUR BEING ALIVE IN THIS WORLD! How can you distinguish that?

Here's the curveball – there's no concrete way to measure Hockey Sense. Scouts might use it, but it's not a proven science or key performance indicator; it's more of a hunch. Think of it as observing someone for possible hiring, not guaranteed hiring. It's a guess, a chance, not something set in stone. And that’s the definition of “Scouting”.

If you're good at something, you inherently have a good "sense" of it. But when it comes to hockey, what is one of the best measures of "Hockey Sense" simply learning how the best players move and copy their movements?

It takes a complex kinesthetic awareness to understand how humans move. It takes that same complex knowledge to understand how humans move in a stiff boot on a slippery surface with knifes on the bottom. Don’t you need a “Sense” of the game to understand that?

You can break down the exact process of how Mechanics IS Hockey Sense like this:
Better Mechanics = Effortlessness
Effortlessness = More Mindspace
More Mindspace = Better Decisions
Better Decisions = Hockey Sense

(thanks to Kevin McKinnon from Train 2.0 - Ottawa Valley)

It's like deciphering the secret sauce – understanding the subtleties, the nuances, and the instinctual decisions that top players make. Matching their movements becomes a playbook for developing your own sense, a unique blend that makes your game stand out.

So, the next time someone throws around the term "Hockey Sense," remember, it's not a black-and-white concept. The way you improve your hockey sense is by improving your movements on the ice.

You can improve your on-ice ability, overcome the complexity of “hockey sense”, and discovery your dream player with the Hockey Hacks System, which you can find on our website hackelhockeyhacks.com

Unlocking the mystery of Hockey Sense – one movement at a time.

Yours in Hockey Hacks,
Mason