When I started taking hockey more seriously, I realized that my decisions on the ice weren’t random at all. Every pass, shot, or movement I make is influenced by situations I’ve already experienced.

What surprised me most is that I can actually explain my thinking using simple numbers and comparisons.

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🧠 How I Read the Game

When I have the puck, everything happens fast. I might be skating toward the goal with defenders closing in, and I instantly have to decide:

• Should I shoot?
• Should I pass?
• Should I hold and reposition?

I don’t consciously calculate, but my brain quickly compares the current situation to similar ones I’ve faced before.

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📊 My Mental Scoring System

Over time, I’ve developed a kind of internal scoring system based on past results.

Example:

Let’s say I’m approaching the goal from the right side.

From experience, I might estimate:

• Shooting success in this position: 45%
• Passing to a teammate in front: 65%
• Holding the puck and waiting: 30%

So in my head:

• Shoot → 0.45
• Pass → 0.65
• Wait → 0.30

👉 Passing becomes the best option.

This isn’t something I calculate step by step—it’s something I’ve learned through repetition.

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🔍 Comparing Similar Situations

What matters most is how similar the current moment is to past ones.

I quickly evaluate:

• Distance to goal
• Defender positioning
• My speed
• Teammate location

Think of it like this:

Current situation:

• Distance = 8 meters
• Defender gap = 1.5 meters
• Angle = narrow

Past situations:

• Situation A → (7.5, 1.2, narrow)
• Situation B → (10, 2, wide)

👉 Situation A is closer, so I rely more on that memory.

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🎯 Using Multiple Past Plays

I don’t rely on just one memory—I consider several similar situations.

Example:

• Last 5 similar plays:
  • 3 successful passes
  • 1 successful shot
  • 1 turnover

So I estimate:

• Passing success ≈ 60%
• Shooting success ≈ 20%
• Holding ≈ 20%

👉 Again, passing is the safest and smartest move.

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⚖️ Where Things Can Go Wrong

Even though this approach works well, I’ve noticed it’s not perfect. There are a few common problems.

1. Relying on Too Few Experiences (Underthinking)

If I only remember one or two past situations, I might make a bad decision.

Example:

• I scored once from a tough angle
• So I try it again—even though it rarely works

👉 This leads to poor judgment because I’m using too little information.

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2. Relying on Too Many Situations (Overthinking)

On the other hand, if I try to consider too many past plays:

• I hesitate
• I slow down
• I lose the moment

In hockey, hesitation often means losing the puck.

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3. Irrelevant Comparisons

Sometimes I compare the wrong situations.

Example:

• A play from a slow game
• Compared to a fast break situation

Even if they look similar, the context is different.

👉 This can lead to inaccurate decisions.

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4. Scale of the Situation Matters

Not all factors are equally important.

For example:

• Defender distance matters more than rink position
• Speed matters more than angle in some plays

If I treat everything equally, I might misjudge the situation.

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⚡ Speed Through Practice

Hockey is fast—there’s no time to think deeply during a play.

That’s why repetition is everything.

The more I practice:

• The faster I recognize patterns
• The quicker I estimate outcomes
• The more accurate my decisions become

Eventually, these “calculations” feel automatic.

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🔍 Recognizing Patterns

Over time, I’ve started seeing patterns clearly:

• Certain defenders always pressure aggressively
• Some passing lanes open consistently
• Specific positions lead to higher scoring chances

These patterns shape my decisions without me needing to consciously think about them.

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🎯 Final Thoughts

For me, hockey is not just about speed and skill—it’s about making smart decisions based on experience and quick comparisons.

Every time I play, I’m:

• Matching the current situation to past ones
• Estimating what works best
• Choosing the option with the highest chance of success

I’m not just reacting on the ice—I’m constantly learning, adjusting, and improving with every play.