Behind the Superstitions: Game Day Prep for Athletes
Photo by Unsplash
Preparation is key for any major event: a big speech, a math test, a practice or game. Planning for these activities can look different, from the way we dress, to what we eat and even our unintentional habits. All of these conscious and subconscious ways we prepare ourselves set us up for success.
Athletes specifically utilize day-of preparations in order to be successful. This may be a pre-game meal or a lucky pair of socks, sometimes even a quick mindful moment. These actions of preparation can quickly become a part of routine, and routines are important to success and high levels of athletic performance.
Superstitions, by definition, are beliefs or actions that are perceived to result in a specific type of outcome. It is important for athletes to recognize how getting ready for games and practice affects everything from confidence to athletic ability. Although it may lead to some unrealistically high expectations, it can also help athletes prepare mentally.
One example of athletic superstitions can be observed in former NBA player Jason Terry. Terry, who first correlated the relationship between wearing high socks and playing well on the court, eventually evolved his superstitious rituals into much more. The night before game day, he slept in the opposing team's jersey shorts, created a habit of wearing a headband, and even designed his own line of long socks so that other athletes could participate.
Terry’s habits fit the profile of a superstition: doing a specific action and in turn expecting that action to force a specific outcome. Athletes like Terry understand that sporadically doing these tasks will not change their performance, but making it a part of their routine will. It gives them something to adhere to, increasing confidence, and therefore resulting in a better performance.
Throughout his career, Terry’s method proved to be successful, playing many NBA seasons and winning the championship in 2011. Despite the strange concepts of superstitions, if the athlete feels a positive impact because of their routine, then at the end of the day that is what is the most important.
