The RinkFor the not so ready for prime-time players, coaches, referees, and the people that have to live with them. Discuss experiences in local leagues, coaching tips, equipment, and training.
Maybe there's something to this caffeine thing. Had a cup of really strong black coffee at 9pm. Game is at 10pm. I feel good and must have had at least 7-8 shots on goal. Around 11:30 pm tied 3-3 with 2 min. to go I get the game winner. My first goal of the season (only my second game) and first game winner of my career( 2 1/2 seasons)
The coffee is here to stay
I'd be willing to bet most of the anti-red bull people are either very young or drinking the crap with sugar in it. Listen to others but nothing is more important than finding what works for you.
People have died from drinking like 4 and then playing sports... So while 1 before a game won't kill you, you gotta think it can't be doing you any good. If you're sleepy before a game, well, you probably should have had a nap or gone to bed earlier the night before. If you were going to try it just for extra energy, grab a gatorade instead. Gives you a bunch of carbs to burn off so you won't get as tired out.
A guy on my team always had 2 monsters before a game, he got really sick and passed out one day, so I'm guessing drinks like Monsters/Red Bull aren't that great of a sports drink
People have died from drinking like 4 and then playing sports... So while 1 before a game won't kill you, you gotta think it can't be doing you any good. If you're sleepy before a game, well, you probably should have had a nap or gone to bed earlier the night before. If you were going to try it just for extra energy, grab a gatorade instead. Gives you a bunch of carbs to burn off so you won't get as tired out.
I agree, but we don't live in a perfect world. People do play hockey after working manual jobs in 100 degree heat all day and simply don't have time for a nap. Not so bad in your teens and twenties but in your late 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's a cup or two of coffee can help SOME people and the negative side effects go from needing to drink a little extra water to nothing. Up to 400mg of caffeine a day has never shown to have any negative consequence on the human body. That's up to about 3 cups/day.
Coffee is natural and there have been numerous studies on it's effects. The makeup and amounts of the substances found in energy drinks are another story. Use at your own risk.
A guy on my team always had 2 monsters before a game, he got really sick and passed out one day, so I'm guessing drinks like Monsters/Red Bull aren't that great of a sports drink
www.energyfiend.com Based on my weight of 195 lbs it would take 166 cans to kill me. I drink an 8oz sugar free red bull on my drive to the rink which contains 80 mg of caffeine. A cup of coffee is about 90. A chocolate bar is about 30.
I only use a Red Bull before a game on very rare occasions where I'm very tired from a lack of sleep for whatever reason, usually work or school related. I do feel like it keeps me a little more alert, although it could have just been a placebo effect. I've only done it about four times.
I'll usually crank it down as I'm driving to the rink, making sure to finish it before I get into the dressing room. That usually means that I've finished the drink about 15-20 minutes before hitting the ice. By the time the game starts, I feel like I'm fully tuned in.
I had an energy drink once before a game when I was like 11 and I couldn't even finish the game. After two periods my heart was pounding and I was all jittery, so I told my coach I wasn't feeling very good. I sat on the bench for the duration of the 3rd. Ever since then, I haven't touched one. People on my teams over the years regularly bought Monsters and what not, and I have no idea how they do it. I cut caffeine out of my life completely last year.
Yeah, I've been trying them out lately before sports and love them. I wouldn't drink the sugar filled versions, I'd rather eat a meal with carbs about 1-2 hours before any activity, then about 15-30 minutes before, I drink an energy drink/drink coffee/take an ephedrine+caffeine stack.
The problem with stimulants is either being too sensitive to them (like a lot of the girls posting in this thread) or taking so many that you're not sensitive to them anymore. So, now, I just take them before a "big" day.
Maybe there's something to this caffeine thing. Had a cup of really strong black coffee at 9pm. Game is at 10pm. I feel good and must have had at least 7-8 shots on goal. Around 11:30 pm tied 3-3 with 2 min. to go I get the game winner. My first goal of the season (only my second game) and first game winner of my career( 2 1/2 seasons)
The coffee is here to stay
I found having a coffee on the way to my games (wether it was Sunday AM beer league or later night games during the week) that I would suffer a huge crash maybe 1/2 way thru my games. I have stayed away from coffee since (although will have one after on the way home at times). Yes - I still can get to sleep after I get home.
Red Bull - I occassionaly will have a small sugar free can on the way to the rink. Does it help me - maybe, it sure doesn't hinder me.
I think once I get myself into a league again (hopefully soon - major hockey withdrawal going on ), I might stick to a gatorade on the way to the rink, or just water.
If you feel like having one, go ahead but don't go thinking it will help your game in any shape or form. If you play even at a remotely competitive level, spend your time worrying about proper nutrition and rest rather than some miracle energy drinks and if you play in a beer league... do whatever the **** you please
Like was said before, find out what works for you. "Huge Crash" after coffee? Have never heard of that nor have I experienced it.
What works for me:
Pregame meal 3-4 hrs before made up largely of carbs, small amount of protein, low to no fat.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate for the next 3 hrs.
1hr. before 1-2 cups coffee or small energy drink(If needed). Usually only needed for late games after working all day.
I've never "crashed", been dehydrated, or felt overly jittery.
Newsflash: If you're lucky the majority of most players careers will be in a beer/men's league. Think about it. After college/juniors so 20-22yrs old to 50's or even 60's. Sooner or later everyone who thinks they're somebody ends up there
Rarely do I drink the stuff. But when I do, I sip a bit before the game, then pour 1/2 a can into my gatorade/poweraide bottle. Spreading it out and mixed in with normal sports drink it's not as hard on the stomach and not as bad of a crash.
If you feel like having one, go ahead but don't go thinking it will help your game in any shape or form. If you play even at a remotely competitive level, spend your time worrying about proper nutrition and rest rather than some miracle energy drinks and if you play in a beer league... do whatever the **** you please
How could a stimulant not help your game, if it works [the effect]? That's the only point of taking a stimulant.
), I might stick to a gatorade on the way to the rink, or just water.
