06/13/2026
"Champions don't suddenly flip a switch when the game starts."
I recently came across a powerful reel from Montana Fouts that perfectly captures something I stress to every player who steps on the ice with CV3 Hockey Development.
You can't practice at 80% and expect to perform at 100% when the game is on the line. Your body, mind, and habits don't work that way. The effort, focus, and attention to detail you bring to every rep become your default setting when pressure rises.
That's why in every CV3 practice, lesson, clinic, camp, and skills session, we emphasize doing the little things the right way—every single time.
I often use a school analogy with my players:
"If you don't put effort into your classwork or homework, you can't expect your brain to suddenly be fully prepared when it's time to take the test."
Sports are no different.
Practice is your homework.
Games are your test.
The habits you build, the details you focus on, and the intensity you bring to practice will eventually show up when the puck drops. The players who consistently perform when it matters most are usually the ones who consistently prepare when nobody is watching.
While Montana is talking about softball, this message applies to every sport—and especially hockey. Success isn't about finding another gear when the spotlight is on. It's about making your standard so high that your best effort becomes second nature.
100% effort in practice leads to 100% confidence in games.
🎥 Credit: Montana Fouts ()
Montana is a professional pitcher for the Utah Talons and a member of the United States women's national softball team. A four-time All-American at the University of Alabama, she is widely recognized for throwing a perfect game against UCLA during the 2021 Women's College World Series.
