Game day superstitions

AMARA BROOKS SPORTS EDITOR

Many athletes and sports fans alike have their superstitions or rituals that are ingrained into their everyday lives. From avoiding cracks on the sidewalk to ensuring never to split the pole, there are things individuals must do in order to attract good luck. In the world of sports, many athletes and fans have superstitions that they must complete before a game in order to feel ready going into a match.

According to BelievePerform, a ritual can be defined as “a certain behavior or action that a sports performer [or fan] carries out with the belief that these behaviors have a specific purpose, or power, to influence their performance; many sports performers believe that performing a specific ritual before a competition improves the outcome of their performance.

These performances are typically carried out at the beginning of games.”

USD sophomore Jane Riehs on the swim & dive team shared her pre-meet ritual she does, which begins with her warm ups before a meet.

“Typically before every meet I find a certain walk path,” Riehs explained. “I know it sounds weird, but every warm up I walk the same path to the diving board. Same steps, same footing, because if I change up the steps I believe I will mess up my next dive. I also do this during the meet. I walk the same path because I believe it is good luck. Same footing, same steps.”

Oftentimes people’s superstitions are not pre-planned, but they are more so something they have done habitually over time. For USD senior Solymar Colling, her game day ritual came from coffee trips with her dad before tennis matches.

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