Game day rituals: Trevecca athletes find focus through routine and faith

Natalia Bowles

Senior Reporter

Volleyball player Skias Hanline said her pre-game routine starts with one simple but meaningful habit. 

“I have to have the same hair tie in my hair,” Hanline said. “I’ve been doing that for the last two years, same hair tie.” 

Trevecca Nazarene University athletes use a variety of pre-game rituals and superstitions to prepare mentally for competition. From team traditions to personal routines, these habits help players find focus and a sense of control before stepping onto the pitch. 

Sports psychologists have long said that performance is as much mental as it is physical. Gary Mack, author of Mind Gym: An Athlete’s Guide to Inner Excellence, wrote that, “What you think affects how you perform. Training your brain is as important as training your body.” 

Mental performance coach Ignacio Segovia, founder of Mental Performance 365, agrees that these rituals are far from meaningless superstition. 

“It’s a good technique to be prepared, to have routines before the game,” Segovia said. “People believe it’s just superstition, but there is a solid base in psychology on how those little details will trigger good emotions and good thoughts or just behaviors.” 

Segovia explained that these behaviors often act as psychological triggers that prime athletes for confidence and focus. 

“Superstitions are psychological triggers that prepare them to have certain thoughts, emotions, or behaviors,” he said. “For example, the Superman posture, when you do the Superman posture, you feel empowered. That position is a power position. Just acting in that position a couple of minutes before a game gives you different hormones and sensations in your body that will prepare you for the action, and that’s a trigger of a certain type of emotion.” 

Segovia also helps his clients create personalized mental cues helping to trigger positive emotions. 

“I have a lot of clients that in the first session we define different key words or power words,” he added. “Those words become part of their routine to activate the mindset they need before competition.”

For Trevecca athletes, these same psychological foundations appear in their unique rituals and superstitions. 

The Trevecca volleyball team also has a shared pre game superstition that helps build energy and connection before every match. 

“Our team superstition is a quick dance circle before the game,” Hanline said. “I think that’s helped us, and it’s a big morale booster.” 

Men’s soccer player Hunter Walker follows a set of habits that have been part of his game since childhood. 

“Something I’ve done for a really long time is I always put my socks a certain way, above my knee, and I always have my shin guards a certain way,” Walker said. “Since I was 10-years-old playing goalkeeper, before every single game I have to go touch both posts of whatever goal I’m in. In the second half, I’ll do the same thing on the other goal.” 

For Walker, these habits are more than superstition. They provide structure and focus. 

“Those rituals always get me in the right head space,” he said. “Small things do lead to how you play.” 

Women’s soccer player Paige Long takes a more internal approach, focusing on visualization and mindfulness before stepping onto the field. 

“I would sit on the bench and put my hands face down on my thighs, close my eyes, and visualize things that I would do well in the game,” Long said. “Sometimes you get lost in all the excitement and energy, and you forget you need to ground yourself to play.” 

Visualization, she said, directly impacts her confidence and performance come game time. 

“If I didn’t do it, I would genuinely believe I didn’t play as well,” Long said. “I have to visually see myself playing well, and doing that really gives me confidence in the game. When I can think to myself and see myself doing well, it helps me do better.” 

Baseball player Nick Cook adds a spiritual element to his pre game mindset. 

“Before I hit the field, no matter what I do, there’s always a prayer aspect to it,” Cook said. “There’s definitely a moment with God sitting on the field and letting Him do what He wants to do with me.” 

Cook said that while his faith is central, his pre game rhythm brings balance and peace. 

“I’m not controlled by my routine, but it’s good to have it, kind of like a piece of mind,” he said.

Sports experts like Mack and Segovia agree that the mind’s preparation is just as vital as physical readiness. In Mind Gym, Mack encourages athletes to visualize success and overcome mistakes before the competition even starts. 

As Long said, “It helps give me a minute to ground myself, calm my nerves and keep my composure before going into the game”.