Pre-Game Rituals
Being a 5th year student athlete hasn’t been easy by any means. My time always seems to be limited, and life feels rushed. I always have to prioritize one important aspect of my life over another. However, that all changes come game day
Being a 5th year student athlete hasn't been easy by any means. My time always seems to be limited, and life feels rushed. I always have to prioritize one important aspect of my life over another. However, that all changes come game day.
I can't say I've had the same pre-game ritual during my entire time as an athlete but after my third year at college and onwards I've pretty much kept the same routine. Fortunately, game days usually land on the weekend either Saturday or Sunday. I plan around those days so my schedule is completely free. I don't let that "Monday through Friday busy student athlete" stereotype become excuse any more. That allows me to plan my pre-game ritual to be precise.
It all starts the night before game day. I usually drink anywhere between 3-7 liters of water throughout the day. This keeps my body well hydrated for the upcoming game. I also make sure I stick to a high carbohydrate-based diet throughout the day. The scientific term for this method is called "carb-loading". My meals are usually something like, a hearty pasta, sushi, or a nice chicken dinner with extra bread. I try to keep it simple and with little grease.
Game day is usually a bit different in terms of preparation. The amount of food and water I take in decreases, so I don't like feeling bloated or overhydrated on game days. Luckily for me most of my game times have been in the afternoon. This allows me to get up early and go through my routine. I usually start off game day by grabbing something small to eat and heading to the gym. I know what you're thinking. "You go to the gym? On game day?"
While that may seem crazy to some people, for me, the gym is somewhere I can concentrate, focus, and think about the opposition I'm about to face. Obviously, I'm not doing any cardio or leg work outs on game day. Usually, I stick to doing upper body workouts which help me look and feel stronger.
After the gym, I come home and take a cold shower. By this time there's about 2 hours until game time, so I get my pre-game meal in. I try to get something light, like eggs, bread, and a fruit, or cereal with toast and jam. What I eat doesn't matter too much, as long as I eat the right amount, and I limit my grease intake as much as possible. Once I finish my meal I grab my things and start heading towards the field.
When I arrive to the change room I always greet my teammates and coaches with a confident handshake to let them know I'm ready. Then I sit down lace up my boots, wrap my wrists, and put my jersey on, while listening to music that pumps the team up.
If a part of my ritual is skipped or by some odd chance I miss a step or two, it can be costly for me. I would consider myself a pretty superstitious guy, I like things to be in order and I don't like to leave any excuses for not performing the way I am supposed too. Missing a piece or two of my ritual only gives me an excuse for a not so great performance, which is why I try to never miss a step. Obviously the ritual has adjustments from time to time but the core of it has always stayed the same. It needs to be followed to ensure I perform the way I'm supposed to.
The last thing I always do before the whistle blows is point up to the sky. I do this in memory of my mom, who passed away while I was young. She always watches over me, win or lose. Her guidance is the reason why I get through each and every match.
