While skeptics claim that the success given by the home 
field advantage is nothing but a sports cliché, many athletes 
see it as a catalyst for improved performance, with scientific 
studies like those performed by the National Institute 
of Health (NIH) backing up this phenomenon. For both 
athletes and fans, understanding the home field advantage 
reveals how sports results can be shaped by the energy 
of spectators and the increased confidence attributed to 
being in a familiar space, either through impacting players 
mentally, physically, or not at all. By observing how players 
perform differently in varying atmospheres, teams may 
better understand why some athletes may — or may not 
— prefer playing on their home turf.

According to a study by the NIH, playing in an unfamiliar 
space often makes players feel disoriented. This is most 
likely attributed to the theory of “social facilitation,” where 
individuals find difficulty in adjusting to new environments 
due to a lack of familiarity and recognition with the space. 
Familiar faces, textures, locations, and sounds are all stimuli 
that can create a sense of ease and comfort within a player’s 
mind, providing them with the necessary means to perform 
their best.

“At home, because we know the space better, … I have 
better ... spatial awareness,” said volleyball player Lily Cao 
’28. “When we play against Notre Dame, they have really 
low ceilings in the gym ... It’s a lot bigger of a space so [we] 
just [have] to be aware of the low ceilings.”

In addition to giving opposing players an extra burden by 
forcing them to adjust to a new environment, this advantage 
can also be beneficial to the home team because they have 
more fans in the bleachers. Occasionally, when the home 
team has a large student section, it can distract the other 
team, giving the home team a slight edge in a close game.

When facing players whose performance may be affected 
by their emotions, it can be advantageous to play them 
at home to gain a competitive edge. A study conducted 
by the National Library of Medicine shows that shifts in 
momentum can have a measurable impact on scoring 
potential as a psychological factor that affects behavior 
and mindset in games. Momentum occurring during 
sports games often leads to significant performance 
variation that can result in positive net points differences 
for specific teams. 

However, this does not always provide a clear advantage 
for the home team. With a strong team that can stay 
positive mentally while facing adversity, the players can 
still perform successfully.

“People are generally going to encourage each other … 
so I think if anything, we see more positive help there than 
negative,” said Track and Field Coach Jennifer Smolyn.

Sometimes, the home crowd can be the sole determinant 
between a loss and a win. Having bleachers full of fans 
cheering them on pushes athletes to work their hardest 
and creates an energetic environment that players can 
use to motivate themselves.

“Having people in the bleachers definitely gets [us] more 
hyped and having [fans] definitely brings the energy,” said 
Cao. “More support from the crowd can give players the 
momentum they need to perform better.”

However, in some cases, the crowd can negatively impact 
players’ performance by increasing pressure. Players with 
less experience may feel anxious when their friends, peers, 
and family watch them from the stands. Hence, even 
though these fans are trying to cheer the players on, they 
can sometimes have the opposite effect if a player has a 
fear of being judged or criticized for their performance.

While the home field advantage often provides 
experienced players with a sense of familiarity and a boost 
in morale, it can also negatively impact less experienced 
players due to the discomfort brought by large crowds 
and audiences. However, regardless of a player’s position, 
level, or experience, athletes may strive to play their best 
and strengthen their mentality through participating in 
countless games and tournaments. The roar of the crowd 
can have a huge impact on the outcome of a game, and 
continues to be a timeless aspect of professional sports 
that we see today.

Photo: Jasur Agzamov

PHS students cheer on girls ice hockey player Julia  Ruzich ’26 at a game against Newark East Side. Top, left to right: Leah Borenstein ’26, Ronin Scott ’26, Quinn Gallagher ’26; Bottom, left to right: Amanda Strapp, Gracie DePrince ’26, Marisa Consoli ’26, Olivia DeLuca ’26, Sofia DiGioacchino ’26.

Annie Harman's Work