All right, time to get to the high jinx and ridiculousness that is sports, because after all it is a game.
All games have rules. Some rules that are embraced by some but others contest their validity.
On top of rules there are the more abstract necessities of the game like superstitions.
Pre-game rituals, in-game habits, hand shakes with teammates and the like are all tools, in the mind of athletes, that enhance, create or lend themselves to a positive performance.
Putting on equipment in a certain order. The old school ideology of not shaving during playoffs (because I guess those beards have been through a lot and to remove them would expel all the hard work and accomplishment from your body?!). Some dye their hair blonde (although, like with some women this is an issue because they don’t use TONER. Ladies please, get it together).
Even something as easy as a game day meal can literally cripple an athletes psyche if they miss it. And all this is done in hopes oh creating a consistent performance OR repeat a great performance that they attribute to a certain activity on or before game day.
Even myself as an athlete i never was to hard-core into the rituals, but I was around it so i get it, but I don’t GET it get it. So i can only imagine what those not involved in the culture must think of the unwashed socks or favourite sing along in the changeroom before a big game. So here’s my best shot of explaining it to you. Ladies, if you got a lot of play while you were out at a bar in a certain outfit you would wear it again. No need arguing, I know you would. Hell i would and I barely repeat clothing combos. Granted it would have to be a different group of friends, a different weekend, and minimal picture exposure on social media, but yea I would repeat. And why, because it makes you feel confident and your going to wear it again because it worked the first time.
A common anecdote in sports is something along the lines of; it’s not how you got there, it’s the outcome that speaks volumes. These athletes want favourable results, well then dammit let them heat 4 hotdogs and a bagel on game day!! Gross yes but we all find confidence and self-assurance from different places and relying on SUPERSTITONS is a means to an end. That confidence leads to a stronger performance then I’m sure no one will ask any damn questions.
Follow me on Twitter @AshDocking and then watch a couple of pre-game rituals that are well-known:
Lebron James – Chalk Toss
Ray Lewis – Nice song choice lol
Former Mets and Cub pitcher Turk Wendell talks about brushing teeth [ ATTRIBUTE: Please check:
The New Zealand Maori do this traditional Maori Haka dance
