What is a pregame ritual?
College athletics can be extremely anxiety inducing and stressful. Pregame rituals can be a way to relieve stress and create good habits. Vaia says, “Sports rituals are repetitive actions or ceremonies performed by athletes or teams for psychological and social benefits.” These rituals can occur before, during, or after games. They are typically performed to create team spirit and a sense of camaraderie.
There are four types of pre-game rituals.
Types of pre-game rituals
First are those of a physical nature that sometimes involve a warm-up of sorts. These drills stimulate the individuals’ brains and push them into an elevated state, making a competitive response possible.
Then there are the mental preparations. Theses are the visualizations and mental practices that goes into getting ready for a big match, play, inning, etc. According to Dr. Dev Roychowdhury:
“Visualization allows athletes to mentally rehearse and experience success before it actually happens. By vividly imagining themselves executing flawless movements, achieving their goals, and overcoming challenges, athletes create a mental blueprint that can positively influence their actual performance.”
The third type of ritual are personal superstition and habits. Each person or team personalizes this aspect of pregame rituals to fit their needs. Whether it is a specific pair of socks a particular breakfast or a prayer on competition days these seemingly small acts sometimes can change the momentum of a players day, creating a better environment for them to compete in.
Finally, there are the team rituals that occur before competitions. Whether it is braiding hair or applying eye black together, these small traditions create rituals and play a large role in the overall preparation process of many teams.
The fans
Perhaps the most impactful aspect of pregame and in-game rituals are the fans. They motivate not only the individual but also the crowd watching. In smaller arenas, like the Merner Field House at NCC, atmosphere is everything.
For example, Sara Sterner, ’25, reflected on her time in Merner saying,
“The atmosphere changes in the arena when the fans are loud. It electrifies the environment and makes performing so much more fun.”
Although cheering and support may not fit the definition of a traditional pregame ritual, it brings people together and shares the pride of supporting their favorite team.
Players benefit from hearing their teammates and families encouraging them on. Additionally, these intense moments, in conjunction with the stress of the game, allow a sense of community to be created through cheering against a common foe.
Additionally, the Mental Game Clinic has also tied the performance of pregame rituals to an increased sense of control and focus. The consistency of these actions have been known to reduce last minute anxiety as well as create a comforting, reliable routine.
Muscle memory
Associated with routine is muscle memory. Studies show, “When you consistently go through the same pre-game routine, you’re reinforcing this muscle memory, which can make your actions during the game feel more automatic and effortless.”
Confidence is integral to strong performance, built through preparation, skill and pregame rituals. These rituals unite teams, calm nerves and reinforce self-belief.
