Boys' Soccer Pregame

THE RITUAL

The idea of a pregame ritual is when an athlete finds something that they do before or sometimes after each and every game. I asked around the entire boys soccer team, JV and varsity, to see what they do and why.

I first asked CJ Kessler, one of the varsity captains and starters, he said that focus is the main goal of him and the entire team. In the locker room the boys play music to get them hyped up for the game. The upcoming game is constantly talked about among the boys to make sure they know what is coming for them and how to react the right way.

CJ states that “During warmups I usually go quiet. I focus on nothing else but the game and visualize what I need to do to help get the team a win in the end.”

Next I asked Justus Albert and Martín Arredondo, receiving about the same answer, both of the boys say a prayer before entering the game in hopes of good health and a good game for them and the team.

I also got to ask some of the JV boys what they do before every game and found that most of them find music being the most important thing they do before every game. Music helps the boys find their heads before the game and find the focus they need.

The break out of a team is always important to make the team excited to play the game that is within minutes of playing. The little things each player does could have no explanation and that’s what a pregame ritual consists of it also must be working for the boys with an amazing record of 8-2-2.