University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Jenna Dover's VolleyBlog
10.29.2010 | Women's Volleyball
VolleyBlog
Entry 14
October 27, 2010
Athletes usually form routines regarding their play. A break in ritual can cause a change in expectations which in turn affects performance. Thus, the superstition is born. A superstition is a credulous belief, not based on reason or knowledge, in or of the ominous significance of a particular thing. It can be shaped off of anything from clothing to music to food. Assigning
importance to insignificant items allows us to feel more influential thanks to the illusion of control. Routines create consistency which produces comfort and relaxation-two important feelings on game day.
Athletes may take some strange paths to arrive in their comfort zones. Every time he steps out onto the court, NBA point guard Jason Terry wears five pairs of knee-high socks. Major League pitcher Turk Wendell always chewed four pieces of black licorice while on the mound. Each inning, he would spit them out, brush his teeth, and insert four fresh pieces. Legendary coach John Madden would not let anyone leave the locker room until Oakland's running back Mark van Eeghen burped.
I have a few game day superstitions of my own that help me get in the zone. First, I always listen to some Lady Gaga. When I put on my gear for the match, I always get dressed in the same order, left to right, bottom to top. Left sock, right sock. Left kneepad, right kneepad etc. Purple G2 Gatorade is my drink of choice.
Want to share some of your game day rituals or superstitions? Leave a comment on our Facebook page. Don't be shy. We all have them!
