This year, we spoke with some of our Juniors and Seniors at school about their game day rituals. We wanted to learn about why they do these rituals and how they get into game/event mode, especially when they feel anxiety before a significant event.
Our first interviewee was Sam Macduff, a current Junior involved in track and field, cross country, and band. We asked Sam, “What types of rituals do you have before a game or major event?” Sam replied, “I begin with my regular warm-ups, like a one-mile jog and a few leg stretches. This helps loosen my joints for the race. I also do my pre-game prayer and take a short nap before the event.”
We also asked Sam, “How do you handle any pre-game anxiety?” He responded, “I manage my pre-game anxiety by locking in my focus. It’s not just about concentrating; it’s about everything I’ve done leading up to that moment. I tell myself, ‘You’re capable of doing this,’ and I make sure to stretch thoroughly and perform dynamic warm-ups.”
For our final question, we inquired, “How do you celebrate a victory or deal with a loss?” Sam answered, “I always remind myself to ‘Race, Reflect, Move On.’ If I do well, I say that; if I lose, I still say it. It helps me reflect on my performance, identifying what I did wrong and how to improve.”
Next, we interviewed Dominick Lopez, a current Senior at PHS. We asked him, “What types of rituals do you have before an important event?” Dominick explained, “I always eat a good breakfast with a lot of protein and no dairy. I usually watch my highlights or those of my favorite player, Cristiano Ronaldo, to identify areas for improvement. I also stretch to prevent cramps during the game.”
We followed up with, “Do you have any post-game routines or rituals?” Dominick responded, “After the game, I typically go to the gym for a workout, take an ice bath to prevent muscle spasms, eat steak and rice, and stretch some more.”
Our final interviewee is Tiernen Rimmasch, a current Junior involved in wrestling and the Wind Ensemble band. We asked Tiernen, “What types of rituals do you have before an event or game?” He shared, “As a small ritual, I tend to smack my body to warm up, stretch, and shoot some practice shots by the side of the mat. I always dab up my teammates.”
When we asked how he handles pre-game anxiety, Tiernen said, “I don’t listen to music; instead, I smack my headgear to get the blood pumping. I take deep breaths and keep my body moving to prevent shaking. I often remind myself that I’ve earned my spot at the tournament or event for a reason. I know my coaches have confidence in me, and I have the ability to persevere.”
