Ashok Ogra
Post the T20 World Cup, the Euro 2024 and Wimbledon, it is time to reflect on the certain behaviours or actions that players (or fans ) engage in before or during the game with the aim of influencing their performance.
We’ve all seen it before: most batsmen – particularly those from the subcontinent -looking up when coming to bat- perhaps seeking divine blessings; a football player who warms up the same way every single game; a basketball player who makes the same motion with his hands before every free throw he attempts; a hockey goalkeeper who knocks his stick against the side posts before every face off.
Such performances by sportspersons are normally played out before every single game.These usually consist of routines that become habits, and often border on superstitions and rituals.
The legendary cricketer Sir Donald Bradman had a specific routine when putting on his cap before batting. He would always adjust it three times: first touching the peak, then the left ear, and finally the right ear. This ritual was believed to bring him luck and focus. He was also known to chew a blade of grass. This habit became somewhat of a trademark and was seen as a calming ritual that helped him concentrate.
It is believed that the master blaster Sachin Tendulkar had several superstitions during his career. One of the most well-known was that he always put on his left pad before his right when gearing up to bat.
The fiery Australian Steve Waugh had a characteristic tendency of carrying a red handkerchief in his pocket, gifted by his grandmother.
Chaminda Vaas, the Sri Lankan fast bowler, had a habit of always touching the side of the boundary rope before starting his run-up. He believed it helped him avoid injury.
Mohammad Azharuddin sported black Taweez on his neck and used to circle his head twice before taking the strike in the match.
Imran Khan’s superstitions and rituals were not just personal quirks but were also part of his leadership style and mental preparation strategies.He had a habit of adjusting his cap frequently while on the field. This gesture was believed to bring him focus and concentration during crucial moments of the game.
Michael Bevan, an Australian batsman known for his ability to finish matches, had a routine of always eating chocolate before going out to bat. He believed it helped him focus and perform better under pressure.
One of the prominent female Indian sports stars known for her superstitions is cricketer Mithali Raj, who always wore a particular hair ribbon while batting.
The fact remains that these antics of sports players preparing for games have been a part of sports since humans started playing them. Even though they may not have any effect on the final outcome of the game, they have always been a huge part of sports.
In Ancient Greece (Olympic Games), athletes often made offerings to the gods before competitions, and sacrifices of animals or libations were common practices to ensure good fortune.
During ancient times and the Middle Ages, sports superstitions were often intertwined with religious beliefs and rituals.
The timing of Jallikattu, a traditional bull-taming sport in Tamil Nadu, is often chosen based on astrological considerations.
During bullfighting in Spain, some matadors, fans, and participants avoid wearing certain colors, such as yellow, which is considered unlucky in the bullfighting world.
In the case of Kabaddi, it is common for players to touch the ground and bring their hand to their forehead as a sign of respect and to seek blessings from the earth.
The players don’t leave any stone unturned as they are even willing to opt for superstitious stuff to hold the game in their favour. At least they think so, that’s why apart from working on various facets of the game, they don’t shy away from doing things which might seem unrealistic or odd to some, but it forms an integral part of the self-belief of the players. The legendary basketball player, Michael Jordan, had the queer habit of always chewing gum during games. He believed that it helped him stay calm and focused.
One Indian hockey player known for game rituals is Dhanraj Pillay, a former captain of the Indian national hockey team. He displayed preferences for certain equipment – sticks, gloves, or other gear – that he believed would enhance his performance.
Rafel Nadal always enters the court with a single racket in his hands, makes sure the logos from his water bottles are facing the court and before his games, he takes freezing showers.
Serena Williams, winner of many Grand Slam women’s singles titles, wears the same pair of socks throughout a tournament, and would not wash them as long as she was winning. Note that the Grand Slams would at times last two weeks.
It has become a familiar sight during golf tournaments over the years: Tiger Woods, clad in his red shirt and black pants, striding to take the plate, goblet or cup to win the event.
But why does Woods wear Red on Sundays? It is believed that he wears the color because of his mother. Mother told Tiger at a young age that as a Capricorn, his power would be highest when he wore the color, so he saves it for when he needs it. Maybe he should just wear a red shirt all the time now, given his recent performances.
The legendary Brazilian footballer, Pele, had a ritual of stepping onto the field with his right foot first.
Every baseball player has their own unique rituals. Some common ones include never stepping on the chalk lines, never talking about a ‘no-hitter’ or ‘perfect game’ when a game is in progress, using repetitive batting stance and using lucky bats and gloves. Some players actually sleep with their bat to break out of a hitting slump or stay in a grove.
While in golf, carrying coins is supposed to bring in good luck and in Ice Hockey, it is bad luck for hockey sticks to lie crossed.
Muhammad Ali, the legendary boxer, had an aversion to certain numbers and would try to avoid them in various aspects of his training and fights. This could range from the number of steps he took to the specific dates of events.
Dara Singh, the renowned Indian wrestler, had specific places where he preferred to train, believing that these locations were auspicious and contributed to his success in the ring.
Players are not alone when it comes to such beliefs. Fans of various sports have numerous superstitions to help their favorite teams win. Many soccer fans wear the same clothes or sit in the same spot for every game, believing it brings good luck.
During the Ashes series, some fans wear the same hat or use a particular pen to score the game, believing it influences the team’s performance.
Many fans of the NFL admit to sitting in the same spot the entire game, eating the exact same foods during every game and wearing a lucky outfit.
These superstitions add an extra layer of excitement and personal investment to the sports-watching experience.
Few coaches indulge in the most bizarre acts in the hope that the team performs well. Giovanni Trapattoni is one of Italy’s most successful coaches, who made headlines in 2002, when he took a bottle of holy water onto the field with him when he coached the Italians at the FIFA World Cup. What was it for? To sprinkle on the players, bench and touch line, of course.
Did it work? Not really, as the Italians failed in their quest to take home the trophy.
Sometimes, superstition goes a bit too far and people end up hurt or even getting killed. Africa is a continent well-known for its outrageous superstitious rituals, with its witch-doctors and all. One of the more absurd out of control cases of superstitions took place in Zimbabwe in 2008.
The team’s coach sent his squad into the Zambezi river in a ritual cleansing ceremony. The goal of this ceremony was to improve the team’s fortunes, their “juju.” The plan somewhat backfired, but only slightly.
The coach sent 17 players into the river, but only sixteen of them returned to pick up their clothes.
When they noticed a player was missing, the local authorities were warned. Search parties were sent out, but the missing player was nowhere to be found.
The Zambezi is known for its strong currents and the river also supports large populations of crocodiles and hippopotamuses, both of which are known to be man-killers.
The missing player was probably either attacked and killed by one of these animals or swept away by the current.
Overall, while these behaviors and acts may appear irrational to outsiders, but they often serve important psychological and motivational functions for players. They contribute to mental preparation required to excel in highly competitive sports, where mental resilience and confidence can be as crucial as physical prowess. It provides a sense of control over unpredictable, chance factors.
Renowned German writer and statesman Johann Wolfgang von Goethe described superstition the poetry of life. One can safely say that in the case of sports stars superstitions act as Ergogenic aids, a sort of passion enhancer. It also adds a layer of meaning, comfort, or mystery to their lives, and makes watching the games even more fun. Above all, sport stars know that their fans are the heartbeat of every game; without them, the game loses its soul.
(The author works for reputed Apeejay Education, New Delhi)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
