The pressure that sports players and coaches feel before a game can be overwhelming at times. To cope with the pressure, and for extra luck, they often perform specific rituals before, during or after a game. These superstitions can range from putting on lucky socks to eating a different cereal before each game.

Eating is important prior to a game, as athletes must be energized.  Many students eat certain protein-filled snacks for fuel. Seniors Sofia Molina and Alex Neves both like to carb up before their games by eating pasta.

However, some students feel they cannot eat right before a game, as they do not want to feel sick while playing. “I like drinking Monster energy drink, but I don’t normally like to eat before a game because [it does not please] my stomach,” freshmen volleyball player Alina Seth said. 

On the other hand, special drinks can help some students relax and destress before high stakes games. 

“I drink aloe vera and it helps me a lot. It really calms the nerves,” senior soccer player Jaheim Fabies said.

Music is a factor in many athletes’ pregame rituals, as athletes enjoy building up the anticipation for a game with their favorite playlists. Seth and Molina mention listening to rap artists like Drake or ASAP Rocky. 

“I listened to Brazilian music because that’s where I grew up. That’s my culture,” Neves said. 

Furthermore, religion and faith can be a vital component of pre-game rituals. 

“I have a teammate, Brandon Lopez, also in twelfth grade. Every time we run out onto our home field, we’re always last out because we pray when we run out,” senior Brandon Corsale said.

One of the most interesting aspects of these pre-game rituals is the belief the players have in them. The rituals become so ingrained in athlete’s brains that some feel they cannot perform well without it.

“I wash my hands with hot water before every game. If I don’t, I feel like I’ll play terribly,” junior volleyball player Alexander David-Corrales said.

It is difficult to tell whether these superstitions have any real effect on the player’s performance. However, the superstitions all have to originate from somewhere, and the stories behind them can be incredibly unique. 

 “My sister once [took a cold shower] before a game. She got four goals. So I tried it too, and it also worked,” sophomore and hockey player Lester Benitez said.

Learning from past coaches is a common way athletes adopt superstitions.

“I have my hands on my hips because it like shapes the ball for how you learn how to set. It’s how I was taught,” volleyball player, coach and history teacher Ms. Rebecca Garrigues said.

Even if athletic superstitions are not always based in logic, they are valuable for the mental strength they give to the players. 

“It helps you believe in yourself, and you stick with them because of that belief,” Mr. Christopher Hinsvark said.