Kairui Sun

Varsity boys soccer player Ryder Hewitt (11) leads a team cheer before a match on Davis Field. Playing on their home turf provides the team an advantage as they are more accustomed to the environment.

Varsity boys soccer captain Alec Zhang (12) steps onto Davis Field, ready to face Priory’s varsity squad. Just a few weeks prior, the team lost 0-4 on Priory’s rough and muddy grass—shots slowed, dribbles faltered and passes went wide. But here on Harker’s familiar 100-yard turf, the conditions play in their favor. Ninety minutes later, the Eagles win 1-0, flipping the result on home ground.

Davis Field, Harker’s 100-yard turf pitch, contrasts with the smaller or uneven fields at many league schools. Its consistent surface and larger size give home players an advantage, as they are better able to play in the style they practice.

“It’s much easier for us to play at home, compared to other teams where they have a grass field or a much smaller field compared to our field,” Alec said. “Some pitches that are very different in our league are Crystal Springs, Menlo, and also Pinewood, which has around 20 less yards, compared to other pitches.”

Conditions around the playing field also affect athletes’ performances. 

Varsity girls water polo player Elaine Xia (10) recognized the advantages of Singh Aquatic Center in providing comfort during games. Though both home and away teams might have these benefits, practicing in Harker’s pool gives her team an edge over opponents unfamiliar with it.

“The sun might be shining in your eyes from a certain angle, so that means you can’t see the goal as well, or you can’t see the other players,” Elaine said. “We have some taller buildings around, but some other pools might not have that. Also, the pool at Harker is usually pretty warm, and the chlorine doesn’t hurt your eyes as much as other pools.”

Equipment differences can also shape the outcome of home matches. In tennis, the brand and quality of balls impact bounce height, felt texture, and timing, which are factors that directly affect how players adapt during a match.

Varsity girls tennis player Shiori Lin (9) explained the drawbacks of different ball types provided by other schools. 

“We provide our own balls in home games,” Shiori said. “When we were going against Crystal Springs in an away game, we were using Dunlop balls. I don’t like Dunlop balls because they’re really bouncy, and then they lose bounce towards the end of the match. So, if we go somewhere else on an away game and use different balls, that puts us at a disadvantage because we never practiced with them.”  

Travel to away games adds another layer of disruption. Alec noted that long bus rides and early class dismissals –sometimes as early as 1:30 p.m.—leave players tired or rushed. Bus rides can take up to one hour to arrive at schools like Menlo or Priory, sometimes not giving players enough time to prepare.

“The bus makes you more lethargic,” Alec said. “Also, especially because sometimes the bus is late, it causes disruptions in our warm-up,” Alec said. “In this season, we arrived at Crystal Springs and we only had about 10 minutes to warm up. That affected our earlier stages of the game, so that along with the uncomfortable bus ride is also a home field advantage factor.” 

Not all home conditions favor athletes. Wind poses a challenge on Harker’s Blackford tennis courts, which lack windscreens on the fences that other school courts have. Varsity girls tennis player Kendra Zhao (9) described the challenge.

“The court is very windy, and it disrupts me when I play,” Kendra said. “When I toss the ball, all of sudden there’s a gust of wind and that’s a disadvantage. One time, I was playing on the home courts and I shanked five or ten balls in a row without hitting a single one.”

On the other hand, away games can also bring their own challenges, but these don’t always hinder performance. Kendra explained how new environments enhance her performance. 

“You’re in a new environment, and that really excites me because it’s somewhere that I don’t often go,” Kendra said. “It’s a new place, and unlike home games, where I always practice, I don’t get to fall into a routine, so I have to lock in. I play better, so you have to step out of your comfort zone.”

Though the opponent is playing in the same pool, the morale lift at home provides a greater confidence boost.

“Our energy is usually higher at home games,” Elaine said. “We usually cheer louder and our teammates cheer louder for us because we’re more comfortable.” 

Being in familiar territory bolsters the athletes’ optimism. This sense of connection with the team and the environment helps maintain motivation. Spectators cheer for the home team, which varsity girls tennis player Abby Cheng (9) noticed Harker tennis benefits from at their home court.

“I like home games since we have a lot of support from the Harker community, our parents and the coaches,” Abby said. “Whenever we go somewhere else to an away game, there’s always a lot of support for the other teams, and that throws you off if everyone in the crowd is cheering for the other team.”