From the outside, high school sports are about talent, conditioning, and strategy. But inside locker rooms and on team buses, another layer of tradition exists: superstition. Many teams rely on specific routines that they believe bring good luck, confidence, or simply the right energy before a big game. While some might dismiss these habits as coincidental, athletes often use them to steady their nerves and build a sense of stability in high-pressure moments.
Some teams swear by taking naps together before evening games. Whether it’s on the bus or in the multipurpose room, players say the shared downtime helps them reset mentally. In a day filled with classes and distractions, that quiet time can be the difference between feeling scattered and feeling focused.
Others rely on pre-game team chats to get in the zone. Captains might gather everyone in a tight circle to talk about the game and what is to be expected before heading onto the field, reinforcing both strategy and trust within the group.
“We nap before the game as a team in the multipurpose room and listen to music at the same time,” said Ja Thompson, varsity football player and junior.
“Before every game, we always go behind the dugout and have a team chat while the other team is warming up. We talk about game strategies, and then there’s always a question of the day,” said Sloan Decker, varsity softball player and sophomore.
Even seating on the bench can become serious business. On some basketball teams, players have assigned seats on the bench. If someone accidentally sits in the wrong place, teammates are quick to fix it. The same goes for pre-game shootarounds. Certain athletes insist on making the same first shot or following the same shooting routine before tipoff. These small rituals may seem minor, but they create consistency — and consistency builds confidence.
“Before every game, we sit in the same order on the bus and on the bench. It sounds dumb, but it helps us feel locked in,” said Kaylen Blades, varsity women’s basketball player and senior.
“Everyone has a certain spot they have to shoot from during warmups, and we all have to make every shot from that spot. If someone doesn’t, we run. We also stand in the same places every time,” said Nylan Rush, varsity men’s basketball player and junior.
While superstitions may not guarantee a win, they create comfort, focus, and unity. In a sport where momentum can shift in seconds, believing in something shared. Even something as simple as a nap, a seat, or a specific shot can steady a team’s mindset. For high school athletes, those traditions become more than habits; they become part of the team’s identity when the pressure is on.
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