Minutes before the tennis match, the team formed their traditional huddle and cheered, “Go Eagles, Go, Go Eagles.”  They step onto the courts, hold their rackets in position, and concentrate on the next few passes they are going to make. From listening to music to doing this cheer, the Varsity Tennis team has got it down with preparing for their matches.

Ask almost any player what their pre-game rituals look like and chances are that there are specific routines involved.

The JV lacrosse team has some pre-game rituals, in order to “pump” themselves up.

“We celebrate in the beginning [with] a cheer we have, “Pump, pump, pump it up. Pump, pump, pump it up. Pump, pump, pump it up. Eagles,” attacker Megan Swanson (9) said. “We all get really excited and ready for the game.”

She also mentioned that the team does a “Stick-Five,” where they high five each other’s sticks, after every goal they score. This “excites” the team, and makes them eager to play the game.

Era Iyer (9) recalled that the Varsity Tennis team did a cheer similar to that of the JV Lacrosse team.

“Before every match, we all huddle around in a circle and we move side to side, and we say ‘Go Eagles, Go, Go Eagles,’ ” Era said.

She added that the team does the cheer before every match, for confidence before the game.

Softball also includes pre-game rituals and traditions spanning from high school athletics, all the way to the collegiate stage. UCLA women’s softball huddles around in a circle, and says “Olé, Olé, Olé” multiple times before the first pitch. The Varsity Softball team had a similar ritual, inspired by the collegiate stage.

“Normally, someone would volunteer to go up and make an inspirational speech for everyone to hear so we can get pumped up for the game,” Grace Park (9) said.

Many football players, as well, have certain rituals, patterns, or routines they go through before their games.

“For home games, we usually walk out, holding hands. Its supposed to resemble family, and how we’re a team like that” Lucas Wang (9) said.

He believes that everyone should “do their own thing” to get into their zones.

Music was one way to tune out surroundings, and help athletes get into their zones. The top 10 “pump up” songs include: Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin”, House of Pain’s “Jump Around”, Queen’s “We Will Rock You”, Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train”, The Rolling Stones’ “Start Me Up”, Blur’s “Song 2”, Ray Charles’ “Hit the Road Jack”, Guns N’ Roses’ “Welcome to the Jungle”, Kevin Rudolf ft. Lil Wayne’s “Let it Rock”, and Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger.”

Athletes find ways to get motivated, calm nerves, or simply get excited before every game. Whether through cheering, listening to motivational speeches, or listening to music, they all strive to get ready to do a phenomenal job in their respective sports.