Superstitions in sports are used as coping mechanisms to ease anxiety and cause placebo-based performance benefits. It is extremely common for athletes all around to participate in superstitious behavior. It is seen to be more common in more “high-stakes” sports. For example, baseball. This sport can be looked at as a bunch of little, individual moments that make up the game altogether.
Major League Baseball player Turk Wendell was especially known for his superstitions. Wendell would never chew tobacco (which is common in the MLB); instead, he would chew black licorice. However, Wendell did not like the way the licorice felt on his teeth, so between innings, he would brush his teeth. Wendell also never wore socks. “Socks don’t serve a purpose, theyre useless,” Wendell said during an interview.
In a study from the National Library of Medicine, it was found that younger athletes have higher levels of superstitions than older athletes. However, it has also been found that the level of superstitious behavior increases with athletic level, due to the importance of competitions and the uncertainty of event outcomes.
While the initial effect can be useful, an overreliance on one’s superstitions can lead to burnout.
At the high school level, many athletes participate in superstitious activities as well. Some of our Wildcat athletes shared their superstitions and how they got started.
Varsity wrestler Emy Rangel eats the same snack before every match. This consists of toast with peanut butter, bananas, and honey.
“It’s a lot of carbs, and it’s good. It gets you ready,” Rangel said.
Carbs are beneficial for athletes to have before their performances due to the boost in energy it gives the athlete.
While this superstition helps Rangel mentally, it also benefits his body physically.
These superstitions are more common in high school athletes. They find a rhythm in their routine that works for them, and they keep it.
Senior varsity football player Ean Arizmendi has a wide range of superstitions. Starting in freshman year, he began the tradition of having a bag of Airheads Xtreme bites for lunch on the day of a game.
“I just feel like I have more energy,” Arizmendi said.
The sugar rush gives him the energy before a game, and in case of a possible sugar-crash if his team is up in score, Arizmendi will have one of his family members bring him a Dr. Pepper mid-game.
Arizmendi also has superstitions that include his jersey must be hand-washed, and he will not shower until the next day after a game.
Varsity girls soccer player junior Kaylee Kreitzer must wear the same blue colored pre-wrap headband for a game, or else she feels she does not perform at her best. Along with that, she has a lucky hairstyle that includes two Dutch braids at the top of her head leading into a ponytail.
Kreitzer illuminates the “look good play good” phrase.
Kreitzer also has an energy drink before every game. Although she switches up her drink of choice based on the day, she prefers one over the other.
“My peach Alani is more lucky,” Kreitzer said.
Volleyball player senior Taylor Frake needs her sports bra to match her jersey color of the day. Although many people do this out of instinct, Frake believes it makes her play better and more fluidly due to being coordinated all around.
Along with that, she also must wipe her shoes before entering the volleyball court.
“Half because its slippery, but half just because I have to do that personally,” Frake said. “I’ll just play bad.”
Frake’s superstition also benefits her on the court due to her constant fixing her grip on the floor, but with it mentally helping her reset, it is another superstition that does its job without going overboard on the repercussions if the athlete does not participate in it.
Senior varsity basketball player AJ Rotger believes that he needs to make his last shot before leaving the court. This is a more general superstition; he believes it’s a “psychology” thing.
“I think a lot of basketball players do this just so they can see the ball going in one last time,” Rotger said.
Rotger also says he started this during practices his sophomore year, when he would shoot around after the time with the team was over.
Now, everyone does it even during games. If the team misses a shot during a drill, they make sure to grab the rebound and finish the play.
It is always beneficial to see a positive ending, instead of a negative one.
