Mind over Matter
January 27, 2015 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release
Edmonton, AB--Aaron Bold is firm believer in mind over matter.
Yes it matters that he has excellent stats, including a superb 9.67 goals-against average and .780 save-percentage. But without a sound mind, those stats wouldn't be there, and it's likely the Edmonton Rush wouldn't boast the stingiest defense in the National Lacrosse League. Since coming into the league, Bold has always been a gifted netminder. Over the last couple of seasons, though, he has matched his athletic talents with some impressive grey matter.
"I had the physical tools before I had the mental ones. It really does come down to what's between the ears," said Bold, who will backstop the Rush on Friday night when they host the New England Black Wolves on Crystal Glass Field at Rexall Place.
For Bold, the mental exercises really come into play once the Rush have been scored upon. Since lacrosse is such a game of momentum and he is the last line of defense, it's up to him to prevent the opposition from turning one goal into a major run. It didn't happen against Minnesota in the home opener when the visiting Swarm rattled off a nine-goal fourth quarter to steal a come-from-behind victory. But Bold got it back in Calgary last weekend, preventing a comeback bid from the Roughnecks as the Rush racked up a 16-8 verdict for their inaugural win of the 2015 campaign.
"It was definitely mental more than physical against Minnesota. I just wasn't focused on the ball," said Bold, last season's All-Pro Second Team goalie. "Against Calgary, they got on a little run but I was more zoned in and able to refocus." Calgary managed just two goals the entire second half, earning Bold high praise from Rush assistant coach Jeff McComb.
"Aaron's been really good," McComb told NLL.com. "The first couple weeks he kind of had a rough fourth quarter in the second week, but he's been mostly really really good for us all year."
"When we get him playing solid like that, and with the defense he has in front of him, we're going to give up eight or nine goals and then make it extremely difficult for teams to beat us." Now in his 10th pro season, Bold has passed along his mental knowledge to the young goaltenders his teaches along with the clients he has in his personal training business. The skill sets may be very different but the end goal is very much the same.
"When I'm talking to the young goalies and they're tired, I ask them if they think the offensive players care if they're tired. Or if they're in a gold medal game, do they want the gold medal or is it OK to settle for the silver?" said Bold, who set a Rush franchise record with 15 regular-season victories in 2014.
"It's about pushing themselves a little harder and having positive thoughts. The mind really does drive the body. In personal training it's the same thing - it's all mental. It's about being comfortable while being uncomfortable. It's about being in your own world and doing everything you can do." While Bold was adjusting his personal mental approach against Calgary, the entire Rush squad righted its own mentality with the re-immergence of GM/Head Coach Derek Keenan.
Keenan quietly returned to the team from his family leave and instantly gave the Rush a jolt of enthusiasm which they evidently used to put the boots to the Roughnecks.
"On and off the floor, he's a big persona and him coming back was a big morale boost," noted Bold. "We have the talent with the players, but with Derek, there's just something about him that brings us that leadership."
National Lacrosse League Stories from January 27, 2015
- Matthews Gets His Chance - Rochester Knighthawks
- Mind over Matter - Edmonton Rush
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