For many athletes, the match does not start when the whistle blows — instead, they start mentally and physically preparing for a game hours or even days beforehand. Habits such as eating nutritious foods and doing recovery exercises mostly constitute this preparation. However, many athletes have also developed rituals or routines that seem to have no apparent benefit to their matches. For example, Lebron James routinely tossed a handful of chalk into the air at the scorer’s table before games started. Other athletes, such as former MLB relief pitcher Turk Wendell, had quirkier routines: Wendell would brush his teeth in the dugout between innings.
These rituals may appear strange to others, but they can serve an important role in a player’s mental state during a game. Through a psychological system known as priming, rituals create a sense of focus and control while also stimulating muscle memory in athletes. They also assist in managing an athlete’s nerves when going into a game. For Chloe Rice ’29, drinking a cup of water before a match helps calm her.
“It helps the outcome of the match, because if I’m more nervous during the match, I’m more likely to mess up. But if I’m more calm then I’ll feel and play better,” said Rice.
In order to be effective, participants must perform rituals consistently. According to a 2019 Colombia study by Alana Mendelsohn, the consistency builds neural pathways in an athlete’s brain and allows them to enter “flow state” quickly. It also makes athletes more productive during their training by reducing the friction it takes to start a task
“I think people like habits. I think habits can form really good structures for athletes,” said Girls Basketball and Lacrosse Coach Steffanie Shoop. “For example, when they eat, when they work out, when they sleep, when they drink, things like that, I think that’s just an extension of it.”
Rituals and routines are not always performed individually however. The New Zealand national rugby team performs a traditional ceremonial performance called the Haka that comes from the indigenous people of Mãori before every international game. The purpose of team rituals differs from the purpose of individual ones because team rituals also boost overall morale and increase chemistry between players. They could also work to intimidate the other teams.
“We have a couple pre-match rituals, but probably my favorite one is when we all get on one knee we pray, and then Coach Gallagher says ‘Here we go, Tigers’ as we all get up, that’s pretty hype in the locker room,” said Simon Hancock ’29.
Although these routines might not directly improve an athlete’s physical ability, many players feel that they indirectly lead to a better performance. The predictability of a routine usually gives players a sense of control, and because the outcome of a game is usually anything but predictable, it can help build up their confidence as well. Repeating the same actions before a competition can also help athletes transition from their everyday life to a more competitive mindset.
Some athletes also have superstitions that they carry with them to game day. These superstitions could include only wearing certain colored socks for matches or having a lucky charm or lucky water bottle. Superstitions serve the same purpose as rituals in that they provide a sense of control for athletes. However, superstitions usually are not actions and can sometimes be more eccentric than rituals.
“I have two things. I got a lucky pair of goggles that I wear, and they’re my first mirrored goggles that I wore when I got second in states,” said Michael Chorba ’27. “And a charm that I have is a bracelet that my grandma gave me before I got third in states.”
While these rituals and superstitions may appear superfluous, they are a powerful tool for athletes looking to build focus and consistency. They also bring teams closer together both on and off the field, proving their versatility and effectiveness.