Everyone has some form of ritual before they do anything. Whether it’s getting ready for a big test or getting ready to take a risk in life. However, when it comes to athletics, many athletes have routines to get them in the right mindset and to focus on their main goal. Whether that goal be praying before a race or game or meditating and listening to music to                                             get ready, everyone has their own superstitions.

A superstition is a belief or ritual one does before an important event any time during their lifetime. These superstitions can start off as young as 5 years old and as old as 50. Many athletes, however, have this gut feeling that if they don’t do that certain ritual, then a negative outcome will happen as a result. Take Marcel Van Hermet as an example. He is a basketball player for the Miami Hurricanes and he would pray every time for the players health and win. As a result he had this belief that if he didnt pray before any of his games, something bad would happen.

Weddington High School’s top basketball player, KJ Younger tells us what he does that leads not only him, but his teammates to success. “Yeah, honestly just breathing in my hands or just closing my eyes for like 10 seconds.”

When talking about superstitions, or rituals, it’s not only athletes who have these. Our own coaches can have these as well. Many coaches have the day before to relax and mentally prepare themselves because coaching can take a mental toll on an individual.

Coach Hinson, Weddingtons High School Hurdle Coach, has expressed his routine for his athletes and how he gets them ready for an important meet. “I pay attention to the energy and person of my athlete… I work to take away their nervousness, but I know that they will grow by working through it. Once at a race, training is locked. It doesn’t help to add new information at the last minute. I want to keep things light. I also say some small meditation for them so that they will be able to calm their mind and access all their practiced skill for this race and that they are protected in their lane.”

As you can see, not only our athletes, but some of our coaches have their own superstitions to get themselves and their athletes ready for a big game or race. These routines help athletes and coaches become centered and mentally prepared for whatever may be thrown at them.