The boys soccer team stretched under the beaming sun, warming up their muscles as each minute passed. They huddled, bowing their heads for a prayer to ground themselves before the game began.
Most teams develop their own version of a pre-game routine, a set of actions they follow before a game to prepare mentally and physically.
The soccer team, for example, comes together to pray for the well-being of all players, hoping to avoid injuries and have a fair game.
“As a team we say a quick prayer hoping we have no injuries and we talk about how we’re going to go at this game,” senior soccer player Ryan Kumar said.
Their pre-game prayer was implemented last year and aligns with the team’s beliefs and values, as the majority of the players are religious.
“Each prayer is different depending on the day,” Kumar said. “We change up the person who says the prayer and we all say different things.”
Even for those who aren’t religious, the act of coming together in a moment of silence can be a powerful way to set the tone for the game.
“I don’t really connect with the prayer because they are always talking about a different faith than I believe in,” senior soccer athlete William Schneider said “It’s still nice because it shows we have belief in each other even if it’s through different means.”
Kumar also stresses proper nutrition before a game to prevent injuries or illness.
“It is important to have a good breakfast and lunch and get carbs in,” Kumar said.
Proper meals before a game provide energy needed for peak performance.
“Sports can be very physically demanding, especially with soccer, so always being able to eat healthy is very important and making sure to have a good mindset,” Kumar said.
The Wolves football team’s pre-game routine also includes a prayer.
“We take a knee and pray,” senior football athlete Marlon Figueroa said. “It’s an old tradition.”
Traditional routines, such as this one, give the team an identity beyond just the game, reinforcing values, teamwork and a winning mindset.
The football team also plays music in the locker room to motivate themselves.
“We play crazy music to get us excited and hype ourselves up to get the nerves out,” Figueroa said.
Music eases pre-game jitters, boosting adrenaline and confidence.
In contrast, the basketball team doesn’t follow a traditional routine and is more focused on game strategy review.
“We talk to the coach and study the competition to see what kind of defense they play,” senior Garik Mkhitarian said.
Discussing the game plan ensures each team member knows their role, improving teamwork and adaptability.
“We try to learn their defense, their offense, maybe learn some of their plays,” Mkhitarian said.
Learning the opponent’s plays beforehand gives the team a strategic advantage.
“We don’t do the same routine every time,” Mkhitarian said. ”We just try to have fun and relax our nerves to lock in on the game.”
The basketball team does what they feel is best to get themselves in the right headspace and maintain a healthy balance between competition and well-being.
The boys baseball team, on the other hand, focuses on warm-ups and meditation.
“We make sure our breathing comes from our diaphragm and we take deep breaths to untense any muscles and loosen them,” senior baseball athlete Joaquin Boche said.
The breathing techniques improve the team’s mental resilience and physical readiness.
The girls water polo team’s pre-game routine involves a strict warm up in the pool.
“We warm up in the water for 20 minutes before the game,” Jimena Estrada said.
The girls water polo team doesn’t do much mental preparation prior to a game but rather focuses on practicing to expand their abilities.
Each team has its own pre-game routine, whether it’s reviewing strategies, reciting a prayer or listening to music, to prepare for the game.
“Pre-game routines are what gets the team together,” Boche said. “It gets you ready for what’s ahead.”
This article originally appeared in the Summer 2025 print edition.
