Pre-game Rituals

It’s a few hours before the game and music is blasting through my headphones: hip-hop, pop, and reggae. I like it all! I’m singing and dancing to Justin Bieber, Drake, and, of course, to someone from home (Jamaica) like Vybz Kartel or Collie Buddz. I’m getting in the zone.

Bente is also listening to music: pump-up songs like “Ima boss” by Rick Ross and Meek Mill and “I’m Ill” by Jay-Z, Fabolous, and Red Cafe. (Click the link for a sample http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kv5wrD_LAEQ). 
Harriet is knotting her shoelaces 4 or 5 times, so they won’t untie during the game, and brushing her teeth with Goalie Reggie, who is dressed in special game socks. 
Svea is wearing a ponytail with lots of little hair bands and ponytails in it, and Marie and I are wearing matching socks featuring phrases like ‘I work out’ and ‘Amazaballs’.

And the rest? There’s too much to tell! But undoubtedly, each one of the Hamburg Warriors (and every athlete out there) has a pre-game ritual: a routine or habit done in preparation for an upcoming game that prepares us mentally. You might be surprised at the lengths athletes go to with these rituals which can range from the more mundane, like quiet moments alone, to the more extreme, like sleeping with your lacrosse stick. So far, none of the warriors have admitted to sleeping with their sticks but I’m sure some bizarre rituals exist among us.

Check out this article featuring the bizarre pre-game rituals of well-known10 athletes: http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17158-ten-sports-stars-and-their-bizarre-pregame-rituals.html

By Bianca Young