It's gameday. Go to school, eat, hang out with my team and finally go to the pregame meal in the cafeteria sponsored by the team moms. Those were the usual events everyone participated leading up to the big stage. Afterwards, I would take about an hour nap with my headphones playing suspenseful music such as In The Air by Phil Collins in order to get my body mentally and physically ready. Most people wondered how I would sleep right before the game and play with such high energy during the game. The secret was... having a rested body. Then, my alarm goes off.
The marching band roars in, during pregame warmups, from outside of the stadium firing up everyone around including fans of the opposing team. Chills start circulating through my body as the band plays louder and louder as kickoff approaches. My teammates and I are jumping around as the bass thumps and echoes throughout the stadium. Both bands are boasting their school pride loud and proud as both schools are about to compete. The national anthem is played and finally after a few minutes you hear Oooohhhhh ooooo! as the ball is kicked. It's game time.
Most people have different pre-game rituals, routines and triggers because everyone is unique in nature. Some of my teammates would have rap battles before every game and that would do the trick for them. Between listening to the marching band and taking a nap, I was always good to go. If something interrupted my pregame ritual I definitely would feel uneasy about it... enough to the point it could alter my performance on the field which is why having a habitual routine is so important.
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