Athletes are known to be a rare breed, frequently leading lives that are very hard to understand. There is one thing that all athletes have in common, though: superstitions. Athletes of all levels and sports can all agree on one thing—there is always a pre-game routine, and one does not dare mess with the pre-game routine. The routine can include particular foods, music, socks, or even hairstyles.
Professional sports stars such as Serena Williams, Michael Jordan, and Patrick Roy all have some unique rituals and routines of their own. Williams is known to wear only one pair of socks throughout a tournament. Michael Jordan inadvertently started the long basketball shorts trend because he wore UNC basketball shorts under his NBA shorts. Famous NHL former goalie Patrick Roy enjoyed engaging in conversation with his goal posts while situated between them on the ice. All of this to keep spirits high and eye on the prize of a "win."
Are the actions taken really just because it is what is needed to win a game? Or perhaps it is actually a need to calm performance anxiety associated with sports. Superstitions are physiologically based. The attention to superstitions is important because it is a reminder that sports are just as much mental as they are physical. The butterflies felt in the stomach and the restless sleep the night before a big game are both common feelings.
Superstitions offer some peace for the anxiety of a sporting event. Superstitions also offer psychological control over a situation in which one feels they are lacking control.
Next time you are watching your favorite sports team, make sure to look for superstitious behavior displayed by the athletes. You can smile to yourself knowing that they are curing some jitters.
