To many athletes, the game begins before the clock starts running. As sports evolve and athletes begin practicing different traditions before games, pregame rituals have become a big part of the way athletes go about their lives on gameday. The preparation each athlete puts in before games can have a big impact on how they play, not just physically, but more importantly, mentally.

“I always listen to hype music before games both on my own and with my team,” senior basketball and volleyball player Abby Gross said. “That is a big part of our preparation to get us ready for the game. As a team, we always listen to “Knife Talk” before every game to get us ready and carry on our tradition.”

Similar to Gross, senior football and basketball player Jake Gregorio and senior softball player Sam Lehnherr both listen to music before every game. Lehnherr believes music before games is an asset, as she listens with her travel softball team, Chicago Cheetahs.

“We have a team speaker for my travel team where we play a playlist we made ourselves before games. Our playlist has a lot of rap and country which I like to get me ready for my game,” Lehnherr said.

Music is a common theme in rituals for athletes as most have a pre-game playlist they typically listen to. Gross and Lehnherr both listen to rap before games to get them focused, whereas Gregorio prefers heavy metal/rock.

“I am really big with music, my top songs this season were “Animals” by Nickelback and “Blind” by Korn,” Gregorio said. “I love listening to heavy metal type songs because it helps calm me down and get me relaxed before big games.”

Beyond the music, there are more rituals that athletes practice before games. Many Christian athletes write themselves a message or verse that goes along with their goal for the game.

“I pray during the National Anthem before every game,” senior basketball and volleyball player Aidan Akkawi said. “I make this a habit because it is essential to me before every game to help me focus and thank God for everything.”

During football season when Gregorio is allowed to wear wrist tape, he usually writes a Bible verse for each game as well as a saying or quote for each game. He takes many measures to ensure he is motivated to play at his best each time he steps on the field.

“I wear wrist tape for each game and always write a Bible verse on the tape as a reminder for my faith and my goal for my game,” Gregorio said. “Each game I write a different verse and relate it to what I want to get done or for motivational purposes.”

Aside from all the mental acts that athletes complete before games, there are still physical tasks that need to be completed, such as a pre-game meal. Most athletes try to eat something light, but all athletes eat a clean source of protein and carbs

“Before games, I try not to eat a ton. I like to eat something light so I don’t have a ton of food in me during the game,” senior baseball player Joah Ratio said. “I usually eat a clean source of quick carbs and a banana to prevent cramping. A normal meal for me would consist of a granola and protein bar and a banana.”

Gross is also a fan of clean sources of carbs before games, but she tries to get her electrolyte levels up beforehand too. 

“I will typically eat a granola bar and have a Gatorade before we leave for our game,” Gross said. “I also bring an energy drink with me for the bus ride so I have energy for the game through caffeine. This is effective mostly on days I’m more tired, but I usually have it with me just in case.”

On gameday, athletes have a specific way of doing things. Some may call it a ritual because it brings them good luck, others because it just helps them focus, or for nutritional purposes. 

“On gameday, I just go about my day, eating clean and getting some stretching in,” Ratio said. “During eighth period, I head up to the cages to get extra swings in and make sure everything is looking good, then I leave for my game.”