In youth sports, it’s easy to point to goals, assists, or saves as signs of success. Numbers matter, but they’re not the whole picture. At Outrival, we measure something else alongside performance: the kind of confidence that doesn’t fade when the scoreboard resets.
Confidence that lasts shows up in how an athlete carries themselves, how they respond to adversity, and how they treat the game and their teammates when the spotlight isn’t on them.
Confidence in Preparation
True confidence starts before the game even begins. Athletes who believe in their preparation step onto the ice with a calm, focused energy. They’ve done the work, so they trust their skills. They don’t need to talk themselves into feeling ready—their habits have already done that.
At Outrival, we build this by creating training environments where athletes push through discomfort, track their progress, and see real gains over time. Confidence built this way is grounded. It doesn’t waver after a bad shift because it’s rooted in work, not just results.
Confidence in Body Language
You can see it in posture, movement, and even how an athlete skates back to the bench. Confident athletes recover quickly from mistakes, maintain composure under pressure, and keep their focus on the next play. They don’t let frustration leak into their performance.
Body language sends a message to teammates and opponents alike. A confident athlete signals stability and leadership, even without saying a word.
Confidence in Communication
Confident athletes speak up. They ask questions in practice. They give feedback to teammates. They communicate clearly on the ice. And when they don’t know something, they’re not afraid to admit it and learn.
This kind of confidence creates stronger teams. It encourages collaboration and accountability. At Outrival, we encourage athletes to find their voice early, because confidence in communication often grows into leadership.
Outrival Academy
Outrival Academy is where the next generation of hockey athletes sharpen their edge—on the ice and beyond. Whether you’re an individual player, a club, or a full association, Outrival delivers hands-on coaching, advanced training, and strategic support through our national network of certified performance experts.
Confidence in Taking Initiative
Stats can tell you who scored the goal, but they can’t always show who made the play possible. Confident athletes don’t wait to be told what to do—they read the game, anticipate needs, and act. They backcheck hard, cover for a teammate, or push the pace without being prompted.
This initiative comes from trust in one’s abilities and an understanding of the team’s needs. It’s a sign that the athlete is engaged, aware, and ready to contribute in any situation.
Confidence in Resilience
When the game turns, confidence is tested. True confidence is resilient. It bounces back after a bad period. It stays steady after a tough call. It focuses on solutions instead of dwelling on setbacks.
We train resilience at Outrival by intentionally putting athletes in challenging situations. They learn that confidence isn’t about never failing—it’s about knowing they can recover and respond.
Why This Matters to Parents
Parents who look beyond the stat sheet see the bigger picture. They notice how their athlete interacts with coaches, responds to adversity, and handles moments when no one is watching. These are the markers of growth that last far longer than a single season.
Confidence off the stat sheet often predicts how an athlete will handle bigger challenges down the road—in sports and in life.
The Outrival Approach
We teach athletes that confidence is a skill, not a gift. It’s something that can be developed, refined, and maintained through intentional habits. We challenge them to measure success by how they prepare, how they respond, and how they lead, not just by how many points they score. By focusing on these traits, we help athletes build a foundation of confidence that doesn’t fade when the game ends.
