For an added boost, favor songs with strong bass lines. Studies have shown that listening to songs heavy with bass inspires a stronger desire to dominate than songs with little or light bass. “Another One Bites the Dust” by Queen is a classic example. [2] X Research source
Walking at a brisk pace Going for a warm-up jog Doing jumping jacks Tapping drumbeats Pumping your fists to music
“Keep it moving!” “Shut them out!” “Charge!” “Attack!”
Refraining from drinking too much caffeine or energy drinks. Warming up as directed by your coach. Getting plenty of sleep the night before. Avoiding strenuous activity.
It doesn’t necessarily have to be the day or night before the match. Schedules might conflict, or your coach may want everyone well rested for the game. Just make it sometime soon before the big game. You can make the upcoming game the focus of your evening if talking about it boosts everyone’s excitement. But you can also leave that for practice and focus on having fun instead. The point is to strengthen your bond and build team spirit, regardless of what you do.
You can do this at any time in the days leading up to the game. Have a late practice and watch it after your workout, make it part of your special get-together outside of practice, or even watch it on the day of, on the bus ride there or in the locker room.
Sing whatever songs come to you as a group on the bus ride there for fun to boost your camaraderie. Then decide on an anthem or anthem(s) to be your battle-song for warm-ups to stoke yourselves up as starting time draws near.
Focus on positive statements. Avoid calling attention to anything negative. For instance, if you haven’t won a game in a while, leave your record unmentioned. Instead, emphasize how well everyone has performed in recent practices. Keep it simple. Leave strategizing and specific instructions to individual teammates out of it. Stick to general statements, like “We got this in the bag,” and “I know we can do this. ” Emphasize the team, not individuals. Avoid singling out star players and putting too much burden on them, which might psych them out instead of psyching them up. At the same time, boost other teammates’ confidence by always using the inclusive “we. ”
Keep this in mind when giving your teammates a pep talk, too. Avoid preoccupying them with what a win or loss might mean in this instance. Leave the special circumstances unmentioned and simply talk about the game as if it was any other.
If you doubt your abilities over a certain aspect of the sport (like sinking a 3-point shot in basketball or conquering hills in cross country), tailor your workouts or devote extra practice to address it. If the presence of a certain family member, friend, or special someone in the crowd makes you self-conscious, invite them to practices or less important games beforehand, or even just to watch you shoot hoops in the driveway (or something similar).
Almost everyone experiences setbacks at one point or another during a season. Focus less on the setbacks themselves and more on how fast you recouped from them. Stoke yourself up by reminding yourself how quickly you can bounce back. Remember: a loss doesn’t necessarily mean you performed poorly. You could just as easily play your best game ever during a defeat. So honor that performance by recognizing it as such.
Setting a double alarm, confirming all travel arrangements, and laying out and/or packing your uniform, warm-up gear, and equipment to reduce the chances of running late on game-day. Completing any unrelated tasks, like homework or paying bills, beforehand so you’re not tempted to worry about them during the game.
Meditating to refocus your mind on the here and now instead of what the future may hold. Distracting yourself with books, movies, slower music, homework, or hanging out with friends outside your team. Making two lists regarding the game, one of things that are within your control, and another of what is beyond it, so you can refocus on what you can actually control.
You can also use makeup or even body paint to commit yourself that much more.
Buy colored napkins, plates, cups, and other party gear that match your team’s colors, or even use official gear if it’s available. Play a highlight reel of past wins and amazing plays as background entertainment. Host a trivia game focused on the sport itself and your favorite team. Get a pool going regarding plays, scores, injuries, and other factors.
Buying tickets to the game itself to watch it in person, if possible. Going to a bar, restaurant, or other establishment that will be showing the game on TV. Going to a friend or family member’s place to watch it with them.
