Lucy Paine, Sports Editor Graphic by Victoria Tremblay
From socks worn inside out to sandwiches eaten with precision, athletes across NCHS are no strangers to superstitions or pre game rituals. Whether it’s out of habit, hope, or nerves, these quirky rituals have a grip on the pre-game routines of many student-athletes. But do they actually help with performance or is it all just in their heads?
According to research from an InnerDrive article titled “Does superstition actually help athletes perform better?” superstitions are irrational beliefs that link certain behaviors to an outcome based on luck. While there’s no magic in the socks or sandwiches themselves, believing in these rituals can boost confidence, reduce stress, and help athletes feel more in control when they step onto the field.
Girls Cross Country Captain, Charlotte Moor, is a perfect example of this with her packed pre-race routine. From pearl earrings to almond butter sandwiches and NUUN caffeine tablets, her routine is carefully built around reassurance and focus. “I find comfort in having the same routine before each meet because I’m generally very nervous,” said Charlotte. “It helps me feel more prepared and relaxed on race day.”
This feeling of control is key. Superstitions and rituals can act like mental armor, helping athletes manage nerves in an unpredictable sport. As one InnerDrive study notes, “Performing rituals can help athletes stay calm and composed.” But there’s a fine line between when the superstition begins to control the athlete instead of the other way around, the effects can then become negative.
Boys Soccer Captain Brooks Wunderlich has one superstition he feels the need to complete before every game as well and that is wearing his socks inside out, a habit that started in middle school after a great basketball game. “At this point, it became second nature for me,” said Brooks. “I don’t think it actually would affect performance at all, but if I was constantly thinking about how I didn’t do my superstition, then it may psych me out and end up messing me up.”
This hesitation highlights the deeper psychology behind superstitions. Often, it’s not the actual ritual that improves performance, but the belief in it. Superstitions can increase belief in success, leading to better focus and persistence. “It definitely makes me more confident,” Brooks added. “If I had my socks on right, I’d be more nervous headed into a game.”
Confidence is also controlled by superstitions for Girls Soccer Captain Emma Row, whose routine includes putting on gear in a specific order, standing next to the same teammates in the huddle, and always doing her handshake with a teammate before kickoff. “Although I think it’s just a habit, it does make me more confident going into the game because I feel more secure,” Emma explained.
Yet, these rituals aren’t foolproof. Charlotte admits that not completing her routine can throw her off mentally, even if she knows it won’t physically impact her race. Emma feels similarly, “When something is changed, I’ll think about it for too long, which can distract me.”
Experts agree that when superstitions become obsessive—when athletes feel like failure is tied to missing a ritual—they can do more harm than good. That’s why keeping them light-hearted and under control is important. As the research shows, routines grounded in preparation are healthier than those based solely on luck.
When asked what they’d rather rely on—training or superstition—every athlete said training. “If I were to race without training, I would definitely be much slower and out of shape,” Charlotte said. Brooks echoed this, “The hard work and preparation is significantly more important in order to succeed.”
So, do these pre-game rituals and silly superstitions actually work? In the end, maybe not in the way we think. They’re not magic tricks or guarantees of a win. But if they calm the nerves, boost confidence, and help athletes get in the zone, maybe that’s all the magic they really need.
