Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1547037
SEPTEMBER — Back to Center: Sharpening Focus (DBT Origin: Mindfulness Basics) CENTER: Calm breath Engage senses Notice thoughts Tune in Exhale Return to the moment A c r o n y m : C E N T E R ! September is always an adjustment month. Everyone is finding their rhythm again — athletes are learning new systems, coaches are establishing culture and expectations, and parents are suddenly balancing school pickups, late-night practices, and everything in between. With so much change happening at once, attention naturally scatters. Minds drift to yesterday's turnover, the test coming up tomorrow, or the pressure of trying to impress new coaches and teammates. Back to Center, based on DBT's foundational mindfulness skills, offers a quick way to pause, breathe, and step back into the present moment. It is simple, yet one of the most powerful tools for grounding early-season nerves. Why It Matters: When attention is anchored, athletes make clearer decisions, recover from mistakes faster, and feel more in control of their emotions. A one- minute reset lowers anxiety, evens out breathing, and creates an internal "quiet" that helps the body settle, and the mind sharpen. Coaches can use it to reset a team. Parents can use it on the drive to the rink. Officials can use it after a heated call. It is a universal skill. How to Practice (Five Minutes): Sit still and soften your gaze or close your eyes. Take three slow breaths, lengthening your exhale. Notice three sounds around you, two sensations in your body, and one thing you can see. Finish with one intentional breath that brings your attention back to what is in front of you. Takeaway: Build one Center Moment into your daily routine, before practice, before school, before bed, or anytime you feel overwhelmed. It may only take a minute, but it teaches athletes how to reset quickly, let go of noise, and come back to themselves. When this becomes a habit, players start showing up to every drill, shift, and moment with clarity and intention, rather than stress or distraction. Hockey Example: A player lines up for a defensive-zone faceoff. Their mind is racing from a mistake on the last shift. Instead of carrying that frustration into the next play, they take one slow breath, feel their skates under them, and focus on the puck. That single moment of awareness changes their entire presence on the ice. Get Ready: Written by Abby Woodford, USA Hockey (2026) 20 // SEPTEMBER 2026 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM + D I G I TA L BO N US CO N T E N T M E N TA L H EA LT H CO R N E R D OW N LOA D T H I S PAC K ET shift. Instead of carrying that frustration into the next play, they take one slow breath, feel their skates under them, and focus on the puck. That single moment of awareness changes their entire presence on the ice. Written by Abby Woodford, USA Hockey (2026) 22 // OCTOBER 2026 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM Download This Packet