People who want to gain tips and tricks for their upcoming air hockey tournament should read this guide. It will help them in planning out an excellent strategy that will actually work for them. The first thing you need to do is to figure out the areas you are weak in. Since this is not just any regular match, you have to make sure that you practice a lot.
Creating a Strategy
While preparing for a tournament, you need to focus on areas you are weak in rather than on the where you excel. Looking at your game as a whole is recommended. This includes your defense, reaction times and speed. Each player has various strategies and they get multiple chances to play with a variety of opponents but they should only use proven techniques during the big game. Do not use the moves that do not work for you.
Perfecting Your Strengths
Even though it is true that you need to concentrate on your weak areas more, your strengths also require attention. You will need to practice these moves to stay sharp. Practicing these shots and techniques won't take as much time as the other ones, but practice will be necessary.
Drills
In order to fix your weak areas and try out new techniques, you have to set a goal for each practice session. The goal of each practice session will be depending on the area you want to fix. Doing this will help you monitor your progress and will motivate you to do better next time. If you do not set a goal, you will be over the board.
When to Begin
Different professionals have different advice when it comes to pre tournament preparations. Some believe that players should start preparing a month before, while others are of the opinion that going hard for one week before the tournament is enough.
Straight Shots
During your practice sessions, save some matches to practice straight shots only. This will help you build your defensive skills and will also make your opponent try out new and creative drifts. Knowing the air hockey table dimensions is also essential in this regard.
Off-Speed
Off-speed drills are challenging yet a lot of fun as they prepare you for the tournament in a great way. It helps you brush up your defense skills.
Puck Drills
Have a few drills dedicated to puck shots only. Ask your opponent to miss multiple shots so you can aim to snag the puck. The person, who grabs maximum pucks in 10 to 15 minutes of time span, wins. These kinds of drills will not only improve your reflexes but they will also help you develop control over the puck and facilitate transition play.
Focus on Timing and Reflexes
People who are experienced have amazing puck control and fast reflexes. Regular players have faster than average reflexes and response time. Air hockey is a fast game and it requires players to be attentive as the puck keeps moving back and forth at lightning-fast speed. A key tip here is to keep one eye on the puck and the other one on your opponent so you can anticipate their next move. This kind of focus will come with time and practice.
Warm-up Before
A warm-up session before a match is significant. It eases your muscles and warms you up before the match starts. If possible, find the time to practice a full game prior to heading out to the big game. It is also recommended that you reach early at the venue and warm up. Practice your defense strategies, moves and secret shots. Keep yourself aware of your surroundings as well.