Does bouncing the tennis ball the same number of times before her serve really help tennis great Serena Williams play at her best?

In a 2011 ESPN article, Thomas Newmark, the president of the International Society of Sports Psychiatrists, said, “Sports are filled with elements beyond your control. Rituals, lucky charms, and superstitions give you little things you can control. It’s something you can do that is familiar and soothing that can help you control anxiety, and to that end, maybe perform better.”

Your mind plays such a big part in performing at your best possible level. Athletes spend numerous hours in the gym trying to gain that physical edge, but they also use rituals to train their mind to perform at a high level.

Wayne Gretzky, highly considered the greatest hockey player of all time, used to put on his equipment the same way every game.

The Willistonian surveyed athletes around campus to see what their rituals are, and how these unique routines help them prepare.

“I like to have a very strict pregame schedule,” senior varsity hockey player Joseph Carbone said. “It all starts the night before, eating a good meal at the Diner and getting a good night sleep.  I always put my equipment on and tape my stick the same way. I also like to mix in a peanut butter fluff and a banana before every game. Most important, style is key. I make sure to have the best style on game day.” Carbone feels that this routine is key to have success for his upcoming games.

Other students, like junior Jack Phelan, enact seemingly strange rituals with their gear before playing their big event.

“I always keep my shoes untied while walking up to the green. I than always tie my right shoe before my left shoe” Phelan, a varsity golfer, said. “I also make sure to have two balls, two tees and a ball marker in my pocket at all times. This makes me feel prepared and gets me in the zone to play at my best during the match.”