By: Alex Bland

Professional tennis player, Rafael Nadal, digs in his shorts and adjusts his socks before each and every serve. Could this be a superstition? Most people believe so. Many athletes have superstitions that they feel the need to perform before or during each game.  Superstitions can be a good thing in sports. They can help athletes believe in themselves and boost confidence. They tend to relieve some of the pressure, therefore; allowing you to play at your highest.

Many high school players have their own pre-competition rituals. Senior tennis player, Maddy Bellew, always has her lucky beanie baby tennis player. Before her games she listens to John Mayer to calm her nerves. Upon each serve she bounces the ball four times and if she misses a serve she can’t use that ball again.

Senior soccer player, Kameron Jenkins, always has to tie his left cleat before his right. His fellow teammates Drew Hirsch and Luke Lete perform a handshake jump just before the start of each game.

Unfortunately, superstitions can have a negative effect as well. Should one forget a special item or doesn’t have a chance to perform their unique task then one may feel out of place or feel a lot more pressure during their game resulting in poor play. One may lose the edge that they felt when their superstition is performed.