14 Athletes with Super Strange Pre-Game Rituals
Every athlete has a different way of preparing for a big game, but some go to strange lengths to do their rituals before the game. These unusual routines include eating strange foods and doing strange physical activities. They are all meant to improve performance or get people in the right frame of mind.
- Tricia Quitales
- 5 min read
Athletes are known for having special things they do before a game that help them focus. Some routines aren’t dangerous and others look really weird, but they’re all there to help the athlete feel ready and confident. This article discusses 14 athletes who have strange or unusual things they do before a game and how they help them do better. These rituals, ranging from superstitious actions to strange personal tastes, show how different each athlete’s path to the game can be.
1. Michael Jordan’s Lucky Shorts
Myles Cullen on Wikimedia
Every time Michael Jordan played, he wore a certain pair of “lucky” shorts under his uniform, even if they didn’t match his team’s uniform. He always wore them when he played because he believed they would bring him luck. They were a gift from his college days. His superstition helped him do well, and Jordan’s ritual became well-known.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Precise Warm-Up Routine
Pavel Soro London on Wikimedia
Cristiano Ronaldo is famous for his precise and strict warm-up before a game. It includes certain stretches and moves. He gives each exercise a set amount of time to make sure every muscle is ready to work. This habit has become an important part of his long life and success in football.
3. Serena Williams’ Red Clay Court Rituals
Larry A. Simmons, U.S. Air Force on Wikimedia
One thing Serena Williams does before a clay court match that no one else does is carefully arrange the clay dust on her side of the court. She sweeps it with her racquet and even changes how she stands based on how the surface feels. This strange ritual helps her get ready for her matches and ensures she’s ready for the ball’s unpredictable bounce.
4. Tom Brady’s Avocado Ice Cream
Denis Laflamme on Wikimedia
NFL star Tom Brady eats a bowl of avocado ice cream before games as part of his strict diet. As part of his plan to stay in top shape, he does this to help his body recover and stay fit. His rituals and diet are a big part of why he lives healthy and is so good at his job.
5. LeBron James’ Chalk Toss
Daniel Hughes on Wikimedia
When he was new to the NBA, LeBron James was known for the chalk toss he did before games. He threw a bunch of chalk powder into the air before every game, making a cloud of dust. This tradition not only gets him pumped up but also takes him back to his childhood and makes him feel close to it.
6. Usain Bolt’s Dance Moves
Samuel Blanck on Wikimedia
Usain Bolt loosens up through fun and energetic dance moves before his races. He does this every day to stay calm and get ready for the day. His funny routine is one of the things that made him such a charismatic figure in track and field.
7. Kobe Bryant’s Ice Bath
JoeJohnson2 on Wikimedia
Before games, the late Kobe Bryant would take an “ice bath” to keep his muscles fresh and lower his risk of injury. He swears by this method of recovery because he thinks it helps him stay at the top of his game. Even though it was cold, it was an important part of his pre-game routine.
8. Tiger Woods’ Ball Marking Ritual
www.Pixel.la Free Stock Photos on Wikimedia
At the start of every round, Tiger Woods does something special before the game. He marks his ball with a certain coin. He carefully does this because he thinks it will help him stay focused and bring him luck. His attention to detail has helped him stay consistent over the course of his career.
9. Peyton Manning’s “Omaha” Shout
Cpl. Michelle M. Dickson on Wikimedia
Before the snap, NFL quarterback Peyton Manning would shout “Omaha” several times to let his team know what to do. Even though it may have seemed like an unplanned shout, it became a well-known thing he did before and during games. Fans looked forward to hearing the phrase so much during games that it became famous.
10. Mia Hamm’s Touching the Post
Johnmaxmena on Wikimedia
Soccer star Mia Hamm touches the goalposts before every game to bring good luck. She’s done this superstition her whole career, and it has become a sign of how close she is to the game. Many of her fans like this simple but meaningful thing she does before the game.
11. David Beckham’s Pre-Match Meditation
ger1axg on Wikimedia
David Beckham often meditates before games to help him stay calm and focused. This calm routine has been a part of his pre-game routine for years and helps him keep his mind sharp. Meditation helped him do his best when he was under a lot of stress.
12. Rafael Nadal’s Odd Towel Ritual
Alexisrael on Wikimedia
As part of his routine before a match, Rafael Nadal touches his towel in a certain way after each point. He always sets up the towel in the same way, and he is known to rehydrate for exactly 10 seconds between points. This strange habit has become so linked to him that it’s now part of tennis history.
13. Stephen Curry’s Gum Chewing
The White House on Wikimedia
It is known that Stephen Curry, a famous basketball player, chews gum in a certain way before every game. His rhythmic chewing helps him relax and stay focused when things get tough. This habit has become an important part of Curry’s pre-game routine.
14. Andrew Luck’s Ritualistic Stretching
Sgt. Staci Miller on WIkimedia
Andrew Luck, an NFL quarterback, is known for the very detailed way he stretches before every game. He stretches in a very specific order to make sure that every muscle is ready for the tough game that’s coming up. His discipline in this area has helped him be successful and stay healthy throughout his career.