|
On the TUNNEYSIDE of SPORTS
July 22, 2013 #446 Up next...Do superstitions work?
After further review...If you
laugh at sports stars that have superstitions, are you any different? Do
you always put your left sock and shoe on first (or vice-versa)? Do you
even notice? Do you care? If you are right-handed, is your right thumb on
top of your left thumb when you fold your hands? Does putting your left
thumb over your right thumb make you feel uncomfortable?
As we
"turn-the-corner" in the 2013 MLB season, we know baseball
players may well be the most superstitions group in the world of sports
(overlooking for the moment, bullfighters and tightrope walkers) i.e.,
wearing the same undershirt or growing a beard through winning streaks;
the particular preparations of pitchers before the delivery; a batter who
must step out of the box after every pitch to re-Velcro his batting
gloves! Do those idiocycrocies make a difference in one's performance?
I love the story about the
Priest and Rabbi attending a baseball game together. As one player
stepped into the batter's box, he made the sign-of-the-cross. Seeing
that, the Rabbi turned to the Priest and said "Will that help? The
priest responded, "Not unless he can hit!"
Most athletes have some
physical task they observe, e.g. basketball players at the free throw
line, bouncing the ball "x" times before shooting. Golfers have
certain exacting routines before each shot. Most will say those are not
superstitions (devoid of reason or knowledge), but rituals. As an NFL
referee, I would avoid stepping on lines when I first entered the field.
Then after tossing the coin, I would run to my position under the goal
post, turn toward the field with my hands behind me and tap the padding
around the post. For me, this was a reminder to concentrate on the
kickoff and the focus needed to do my job correctly.
You can call them
superstitions, rituals, routines or whatever you like, but if it helps to
increase your level of concentration, it probably is something that
should continue. In the mind of the athlete, all these nuances are
intended to enable the best performance possible. However, should your
performance not live up to your expectation on that particular day, may I
suggest you not blame it on your ritual(s), but analyze all
aspects of that day's performance.
Will you use a
personal/special routine to help your performance?
|
No comments:
Post a Comment