Tag: toni cronk

Trust, trust, trust

Trust, trust, trust. Trust in yourself, trust in the coaching staff, and trust that you are doing exactly what you should be doing.

I was so grateful for the Olympic experience that I had. I have been playing hockey at this level for 12 years, and this is the first time I have been to a tournament as the only goalkeeper. Before the tournament I thought that maybe it would be a lonely time, mainly before and after games, but it wasn’t. The times that I had to myself were good for mental preparation.

The extra pressure that I normally put on myself about whether or not I will play the next game was eliminated. I could just play and for me that worked. I was the best prepared I have ever been. I have had many experiences over my career both good and hard, and all were a driving force to get me prepared for the Olympics. This also fuelled my determination to perform to my best during the tournament.

Over the years I have learnt to deal with distractions. Like the distraction of already being a couple of minutes behind in your warm up, walking out from the change room to the pitch and realising once you get out there that you have forgotten your right glove. My on ball warm up can’t start without my right glove. So I asked the girl warming me up, very nicely, if she could run to the change room and get my glove. I just grabbed a ball and started juggling it to warm up while I waited for her. There was no need to make a big scene, I am sure most of the girls and some of the coaching staff didn’t even realise that I left my right glove in the change room. She got back out to the pitch, both of us were very calm and we started the on ball warm up. It was our 3rd game of the Olympics vs USA, I saved a stroke that game and we won 1-0. Being able to deal with distractions both on and off the field is very important.

All the best … Toni

Awesome new chest guard

Hey all I just wanted to let you know how great I think that the new chest guard is (Previous post). I got a very hard hit on the shoulder about a week ago and I think that the new chest guard performed very well. I believe if I was in anything else the hit would have floored me.

Also I got a hit in the middle of the chest today and hardly felt it at all.

So far this new chest guard is performing great.

32″ stick

Hey all, I wanted to share with you why I think that using 32″ stick is useful. I was finding the end of the handle annoying so I thought about going to a shorter stick to eliminate this problem. Using a shorter stick still provides the same amount of coverage out the end of my glove as can be illustrated by the photos below. Also the use of a shorter stick makes it just that little bit lighter for aerial saves. I have not found any disadvantages yet, but I would be interested in your thoughts about the use of a 32″ stick.

I do recommend that if you are going to try a shorter stick that you put a thicker piece of tape at the end of the handle for a sensory reminder, that you are at the end of the stick.

Toni Cronk 36.5" stick
Toni Cronk 36.5" stick
Toni Cronk 32" stick
Toni Cronk 32" stick

Toni Cronks review of the new robo chest

Dear Amazing person

We thought you might like to see this feedback on the new ROBO chest guard form Toni Cronk… Australian National Goalie. Toni’s comments (in red boxes around the edges of the fact and feature sheet) are really valuable to us, as they enable us to improve on small aspects of the product. We really value player feedback… from national goalies like Toni, to beginners; as while we know OBO products are good, we also know that they can be even better. We really do listen to feedback … so please keep it coming !

Cheers

Simon and the committed team at OBO New Zealand


Click to enlarge

Champions trophy

Well, what can we say? Another year of champions trophy is now over for the women. It was a great competition and it is even better to see that now the top 8 teams is the world are so close.

Interestingly there are some new techniques that international goalkeepers are trying. These techniques are mainly to combat the drag flick, which is relatively new in the women’s game. There was a mix of goalkeepers diving more and a mix staying more on their feet, I think that both these techniques have advantages and disadvantages. I’d be interested to hear your views.

The final (Argentina v Holland) saw the new one-on-ones used versus the good old penalty shoot out. This is the first major tournament that this has been used. I think it was a crowd pleaser as there were lots of cheers.

Commonweath Games 2010

Hi All,

Thought I would update you on some of the going on’s at the commonwealth games. So far we have met Prince Charles, Camilla and Prince Edward. We (Australia) had our flag raising ceremony which was a spectacular of Indian culture. Last night we marched in the opening ceremony which was an amazing life experience with vibrant colours and dancing mixed in with a little bit of heat…

We are resting up today for our first game tomoza v Trinidad and Tobago.

Cheers

Toni Cronk

Commonwealth Games Preparation June

Many thanks to solubleduck who asked what sort of training and preparation is needs for the Commonwealth Games.

Well solubleduck, due to the Commonweatlh Games being directly after the World Cup in Argentina most of our preparation is focused around the World Cup which will lead us nicely into the Commonwealth Games.  Currently the Hockeyroos are on tour in Europe. This tour will include focused training sessions and also extra fitness work. As we get closer to the competition trainings will be tailored to more game scenario drills.

Our normal week includes roughly 6 on field sessions as well as a number of strength and conditioning sessions followed by recovery sessions each week.

Teams are always looking at ways to stay on top and ahead of the others. The world of women’s international competition is fiercely competitive these days. Teams need to be fit and resilient to be competitive.

Hope that goes someway to answer your question solubleduck.

Please keep the questions coming.

Cheers

Toni Cronk

Hockeyroos 2010 to date

The start to 2010 has been a busy one for us and it is not looking like slowing down soon, but that is great. You only get to play at this level for a reasonably short time, and I have recently learnt that you shouldn’t take this for granted. So I say every moment should be enjoyed or at least something should be gained from every moment. I have found a new level of desire and gratefulness for the position that I am in.

In Australia we have just finished our National League, which took on a new format this year. I grew up in NSW so that is the team I play for. We finished 3rd this year. Not the best result but the best we could do with the cards we were dealt.

What do you out there want to hear about?? Make comments and I will try to reciprocate.

Cheers

Toni Cronk

Make every moment count