Getting in Sync

Understanding Entrainment and Synchronization

The Getting in Sync principle describes how systems tend to synchronize their energetic patterns when connected, creating coherence across previously separate elements. This natural tendency toward synchronization occurs across multiple dimensions—physical, mental, emotional, and social—and directly impacts performance quality and efficiency.

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The Science Behind Synchronization

This principle connects to several established scientific concepts:

• Entrainment: The documented tendency for oscillating systems to align their rhythms when connected
• Mirror neuron activity: How our brains are wired to automatically mirror and synchronize with observed actions
• Group flow states: How teams can achieve synchronized performance states with heightened coordination
• Autonomic resonance: How physiological systems like heart rate and breathing can synchronize between individuals

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Developing Synchronization Awareness

Personal Synchronization

Learn to identify and cultivate internal synchronization:

• Mind-body connection (thoughts aligning with physical movement)
• Rhythm sensitivity (ability to detect and match external timing)
• Emotional-physical coherence (emotional state supporting physical performance)
• Attentional synchronization (focus aligning with task requirements)

Practice recognizing when you're in versus out of sync with yourself.

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Interpersonal Synchronization

Develop awareness of synchronization with others:

1. Observe subtle cues that indicate synchronization status
2. Identify factors that enhance or inhibit synchronization with teammates
3. Recognize your natural synchronization tendencies and preferences
4. Practice intentionally matching others' rhythms and patterns

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Environmental Synchronization

Understand how to align with environmental factors:

• Facility adaptation (adjusting to specific rink characteristics)
• Temporal synchronization (aligning with game pace and flow)
• Condition adaptation (synchronizing with weather/ice conditions)
• Contextual attunement (matching energy to competitive situation)

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Getting in Sync in Hockey Performance

The synchronization principle significantly impacts hockey performance:

Individual application:

• Develop consistent pre-game routines that synchronize your internal systems
• Practice attentional synchronization with the puck, play development, and game flow
• Create movement patterns that optimize internal timing and coordination
• Learn to quickly resynchronize after disruptions (missed plays, mistakes)

Team application:

• Understand how team chemistry develops through synchronization over time
• Recognize how communication enhances interpersonal synchronization
• Identify and address synchronization barriers within team dynamics
• Design practice activities that specifically develop team timing and coordination

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Game Situation Applications

Line chemistry: Approach line combinations with an understanding of synchronization principles. Recognize that chemistry requires sufficient shared experience to develop synchronized patterns and communication.

Game flow management: Develop sensitivity to game rhythm and the ability to either match that rhythm or intentionally disrupt it for competitive advantage.

System implementation: Understand that new systems require synchronization time before reaching optimal performance. Design progressive implementation approaches that build synchronization gradually.

Pressure situations: Create specific synchronization practices for high-pressure scenarios where timing and coordination are essential (power plays, penalty kills, final minutes).

By mastering the Getting in Sync principle, you develop amore sophisticated understanding of both individual and team performance. Rather than viewing chemistry as a mysterious quality that either exists or doesn't, you recognize it as a natural process that can be systematically developed through specific synchronization practices and sufficient shared experience.

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