{"id":188166,"date":"2026-01-13T10:16:10","date_gmt":"2026-01-13T09:16:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/?p=188166"},"modified":"2026-01-13T10:16:14","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T09:16:14","slug":"how-to-get-your-head-in-the-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/fr\/sports\/how-to-get-your-head-in-the-game\/","title":{"rendered":"Comment se mettre dans le bain"},"content":{"rendered":"<!-- post header -->\n<div class=\"row rowSingleColumn\">\n    <div class=\"col breadcrumb\">\n        <a href=\"\/fr\/\">Accueil<\/a>\/\n        <a href=\"\/fr\/category\/sports\/\">Sports<\/a>\/\n        Comment se mettre dans le bain\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row rowPostHeaderImage headerImageAnim\">\n    <div class=\"scrollAnim\" \n        id=\"postHeaderImage\"\n         style=\"width:100%;position:relative;overflow:hidden;        aspect-ratio:2        ;\" >\n    <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\"\n        class=\"\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Breanna_hero.jpg\" style=\"transition: 0.35s all;height:100%;width:100%;        object-position: 37% 23%; object-fit: cover;\"\/>\n        <\/div>\n    \n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row rowSingleColumnWide rowPostHeader\">\n    <div id=\"postHeaderText\" class=\"col tcenter\" >\n        <div class=\"cat\"><a class=\"secondary\" href=\"https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/fr\/category\/sports\/\">Sports<\/a><\/div>\n        <div id=\"headerSocialIcons\" class=\"headerSocialIcons tleft\">\n            <a class=\"facebook\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.puma-catchup.com%2Ffr%2Fsports%2Fhow-to-get-your-head-in-the-game%2F\" target=\"blank\"><\/a>\n            <a class=\"linkedin\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/sharing\/share-offsite\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.puma-catchup.com%2Ffr%2Fsports%2Fhow-to-get-your-head-in-the-game%2F\" target=\"blank\"><\/a>\n            <a class=\"x\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share?url=https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/fr\/sports\/how-to-get-your-head-in-the-game\/&#038;text=\" target=\"blank\"><\/a>\n            <a class=\"pinterest\" href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.puma-catchup.com%2Ffr%2Fsports%2Fhow-to-get-your-head-in-the-game%2F\" target=\"blank\"><\/a>\n        <\/div>\n        <h1 class=\"\" >Comment se mettre dans le bain<\/h1>\n        <div class=\"articleintro\" >Les rituels d'avant performance et leurs raisons d'\u00eatre<\/div>\n        <div class=\"date\">13 janvier 2026 <\/div>\n\n        <div id=\"\" class=\"headerSocialIconsMobile tcenter mobile\">\n            <a class=\"sharing\" id=\"mobileshare\" onclick='navigator.share({ \"title\": &quot;How to Get Your Head in the Game&quot;, \"text\": &quot;Prepping for the big day can look different for different athletes: always eating the same meal the night before, sporting lucky socks, tapping the ball three times before shooting, looping that familiar pre-game playlist\\u2026&quot;, \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/fr\/sports\/how-to-get-your-head-in-the-game\/\" })'  target=\"blank\"><\/a>\n            <a class=\"facebook\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/fr\/sports\/how-to-get-your-head-in-the-game\/\" target=\"blank\"><\/a>\n            <a class=\"linkedin\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/sharing\/share-offsite\/?url=https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/fr\/sports\/how-to-get-your-head-in-the-game\/\" target=\"blank\"><\/a>\n            <a class=\"x\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.puma-catchup.com%2Ffr%2Fsports%2Fhow-to-get-your-head-in-the-game%2F&#038;text=\" target=\"blank\"><\/a>\n            <a class=\"pinterest\" href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.puma-catchup.com%2Ffr%2Fsports%2Fhow-to-get-your-head-in-the-game%2F\" target=\"blank\"><\/a>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<!-- row text single -->\n<div class=\"gradientnone\">\n<div class=\"row rowSingleColumnWide spacing\">\n    <div class=\"col articleText\">\n        <div class=\"textStyle_intro\" >La pr\u00e9paration pour le grand jour peut \u00eatre diff\u00e9rente selon les athl\u00e8tes : manger toujours le m\u00eame repas la veille, porter des chaussettes porte-bonheur, taper trois fois sur le ballon avant de tirer, passer en boucle la playlist d'avant-match qui vous est famili\u00e8re...<\/div>\n   <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<!-- row text single -->\n<div class=\"gradientnone\">\n<div class=\"row rowSingleColumnWide spacing\">\n    <div class=\"col articleText\">\n        <div class=\"textStyle_default firstLetter\" >De nombreux athl\u00e8tes (qu'ils l'admettent ou non) ont un rituel sp\u00e9cifique qui les aide \u00e0 entrer dans cet espace mental sacr\u00e9 de fluidit\u00e9 et de performance maximale connu sous le nom de \u201czone\u201d. Ces routines se situent \u00e0 l'intersection de la psychologie du sport et de la science de la performance, et ont \u00e9t\u00e9 largement \u00e9tudi\u00e9es pour leurs effets sur la concentration, la r\u00e9gulation \u00e9motionnelle et la constance le jour du match.<br><br>Nous avons donc voulu savoir si ces rituels \u00e9taient simplement des habitudes r\u00e9confortantes ou s'ils am\u00e9lioraient r\u00e9ellement les performances athl\u00e9tiques. Il s'av\u00e8re que m\u00eame s'ils ne sont (probablement) pas magiques, ils offrent une s\u00e9rie d'avantages. Pour comprendre pourquoi, examinons de plus pr\u00e8s comment les rituels de pr\u00e9performance fa\u00e7onnent le sport.<\/div>\n   <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<!-- row text single -->\n<div class=\"gradientnone\">\n<div class=\"row rowSingleColumnWide spacing\">\n    <div class=\"col articleText\">\n        <div class=\"textStyle_default\" ><h2>D\u00e9finir les rituels d'avant-match<\/h2>Un rituel d'avant-match ou d'avant-performance (termes utilis\u00e9s ici de mani\u00e8re interchangeable) est une s\u00e9quence sp\u00e9cifique et r\u00e9p\u00e9t\u00e9e de comportements, de pens\u00e9es ou d'actions r\u00e9alis\u00e9e avant une comp\u00e9tition, un match ou une performance, dont un athl\u00e8te pense qu'elle a une influence positive sur son \u00e9tat de pr\u00e9paration et ses r\u00e9sultats. Ces rituels agissent comme un point d'ancrage psychologique, aidant les sportifs amateurs et d'\u00e9lite \u00e0 passer de l'entra\u00eenement \u00e0 la comp\u00e9tition en aiguisant leur attention et en am\u00e9liorant leur concentration.<br><br>Une \u00e9tude r\u00e9cente* publi\u00e9e dans le<em> Revue internationale de psychologie du sport et de l'exercice<\/em> sugg\u00e8re qu'ils ont un effet avantageux significatif et mesurable sur la performance, qu'ils soient simples ou complexes.<\/div>\n   <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<!-- row text single -->\n<div class=\"gradientnone\">\n<div class=\"row rowSingleColumnWide spacing\">\n    <div class=\"col articleText\">\n        <div class=\"textStyle_default\" ><h2>Le cerveau sous pression : l'importance des rituels<\/h2>La comp\u00e9tition place le cerveau dans un environnement particuli\u00e8rement stimulant. \u00c0 l'approche de l'heure du match, les hormones de stress comme le cortisol augmentent. L'attention peut se r\u00e9duire ou se disperser. L'anticipation de l'\u00e9valuation augmente l'activation des syst\u00e8mes neuronaux associ\u00e9s \u00e0 la d\u00e9tection des menaces et \u00e0 l'incertitude. Dans cet \u00e9tat d'excitation, le cerveau devient plus sensible aux distractions externes, comme les bruits de la foule, ou internes, comme le doute ou le discours n\u00e9gatif sur soi.<br><br>Le d\u00e9fi pour les athl\u00e8tes n'est pas d'\u00e9liminer l'activation naturelle du corps, mais de la r\u00e9guler dans une fourchette optimale ; c'est l\u00e0 que les aspects du rituel d'avant-match entrent en jeu.<\/div>\n   <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<!-- row text single -->\n<div class=\"gradientnone\">\n<div class=\"row rowSingleColumnWide\">\n    <div class=\"col articleText\">\n        <div class=\"textStyle_default\" ><h2>La psychologie qui explique l'efficacit\u00e9 des rituels<\/h2>La recherche propose plusieurs m\u00e9canismes qui se recoupent et qui permettent d'expliquer pourquoi ces comportements apparemment anodins peuvent \u00eatre si efficaces.<\/div>\n   <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<!-- row text single -->\n<div class=\"gradientnone\">\n<div class=\"row rowSingleColumnWide spacing\">\n    <div class=\"col articleText\">\n        <div class=\"textStyle_default\" ><strong>Attention et concentration<\/strong><br>Les rituels d'avant-match agissent comme un entonnoir pour l'attention. Ils permettent \u00e0 l'athl\u00e8te de se concentrer sur le r\u00e9sultat optimal de la t\u00e2che \u00e0 accomplir, ce qui am\u00e9liore la concentration tout en r\u00e9duisant les pens\u00e9es distrayantes, les pressions ext\u00e9rieures et les inqui\u00e9tudes.<br><br><strong>R\u00e9gulation des \u00e9motions<\/strong><br>Ces comportements peuvent \u00e9galement constituer de puissants outils de gestion du stress. En introduisant des s\u00e9quences pr\u00e9visibles dans un environnement incertain, les rituels cr\u00e9ent un sentiment de stabilit\u00e9 qui contribue \u00e0 apaiser les nerfs. Au fil du temps, les comportements ritualis\u00e9s sont associ\u00e9s \u00e0 la pr\u00e9paration, ce qui favorise une r\u00e9gulation \u00e9motionnelle plus coh\u00e9rente en cas de pression.<br><br><strong>Confiance et efficacit\u00e9 personnelle<\/strong><br>Une meilleure perception du contr\u00f4le est li\u00e9e \u00e0 une plus grande confiance en soi et \u00e0 une plus grande efficacit\u00e9. L'ex\u00e9cution d'une routine famili\u00e8re peut renforcer la confiance d'un athl\u00e8te dans sa pr\u00e9paration et ses capacit\u00e9s, cr\u00e9ant ainsi une boucle de r\u00e9troaction positive dans laquelle la confiance soutient l'ex\u00e9cution, et l'ex\u00e9cution r\u00e9ussie renforce encore la confiance.<\/div>\n   <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<!-- row text single -->\n<div class=\"gradientnone\">\n<div class=\"row rowSingleColumnWide spacing\">\n    <div class=\"col articleText\">\n        <div class=\"textStyle_default\" ><h2>Type de rituels d'avant-match<\/h2>On peut classer les rituels d'avant-match en plusieurs cat\u00e9gories qui se recoupent.<br><br><li class=\"textStyle_listItem\">Les rituels physiques comprennent des s\u00e9quences d'\u00e9chauffement, des routines d'\u00e9tirement ou des mouvements r\u00e9p\u00e9t\u00e9s qui pr\u00e9parent le corps tout en donnant des rep\u00e8res \u00e0 l'esprit.<\/li><br><li class=\"textStyle_listItem\">Les rituels mentaux font appel \u00e0 l'imagerie, \u00e0 la visualisation, au dialogue avec soi-m\u00eame ou \u00e0 la r\u00e9p\u00e9tition mentale, et aident les athl\u00e8tes \u00e0 clarifier leur intention et \u00e0 se concentrer.<\/li><br><li class=\"textStyle_listItem\"><span style=\"white-space-collapse: preserve;\">Les rituels sensoriels s'appuient sur la musique, les v\u00eatements, l'\u00e9quipement ou les sensations tactiles qui \u00e9voquent un \u00e9tat \u00e9motionnel familier.<\/span><\/li><br><li class=\"textStyle_listItem\">Les rituels nutritionnels peuvent prendre la forme de certains repas ou en-cas consomm\u00e9s \u00e0 certaines heures.<\/li><br><li class=\"textStyle_listItem\"><span style=\"white-space-collapse: preserve;\">Les rituels sociaux ou d'\u00e9quipe impliquent des comportements partag\u00e9s qui renforcent l'identit\u00e9 et la coh\u00e9sion du groupe.<\/span><\/li><br><br>Les rituels les plus efficaces sont adapt\u00e9s \u00e0 chaque athl\u00e8te et r\u00e9p\u00e9t\u00e9s r\u00e9guli\u00e8rement au fil du temps.<\/div>\n   <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<!-- row text single -->\n<div class=\"gradientnone\">\n<div class=\"row rowSingleColumnWide spacing\">\n    <div class=\"col articleText\">\n        <div class=\"textStyle_default\" ><h2>Comment les athl\u00e8tes d'\u00e9lite se pr\u00e9parent<\/h2>Bien avant que la foule n'arrive et que le tableau d'affichage ne s'allume, les athl\u00e8tes se pr\u00e9parent d\u00e9j\u00e0 en adoptant des habitudes personnelles qui les aident \u00e0 se calmer, \u00e0 se concentrer et \u00e0 se sentir pr\u00eats \u00e0 performer.<\/div>\n   <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<!-- row cols image text -->\n<div class=\"gradientnone\">\n<div class=\"row rowTwoColumnsNarrow spacing articleText\">\n    <div class=\"col\">\n            <div class=\"\" ><h2><strong>Mati\u00e8re \u00e0 r\u00e9flexion<\/strong><\/h2>La pr\u00e9paration d'un match peut commencer par quelque chose d'aussi familier qu'un repas. Pour Salum Kashafali, championne paralympique et d\u00e9tentrice du record du monde, la nourriture sert \u00e0 la fois de carburant et de signal, indiquant au corps et \u00e0 l'esprit qu'il est temps de concourir. Son rituel ? Du poulet et du riz la veille et de la past\u00e8que le matin m\u00eame.<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"col\">\n            <div class=\"bgimage\" style=\" aspect-ratio: 1 ; background-image: url('https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/SalumK_S-e1689259692139.png'); background-size: cover;background-position: 49% 24%;width:100%\"><\/div>\n            <div class=\"descr\">Salum Kashafali<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<!-- row cols image text -->\n<div class=\"gradientnone\">\n<div class=\"row rowTwoColumnsNarrow spacing articleText\">\n    <div class=\"col\">\n            <div class=\"bgimage\" style=\" aspect-ratio: 1 ; background-image: url('https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Nicola_GettyImages-2236540174.jpg'); background-size: cover;background-position: 50% 50%;width:100%\"><\/div>\n            <div class=\"descr\">Nicola OlyslagerS (Photo par Cameron Spencer\/Getty Images)<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"col\">\n            <div class=\"\" ><h2><strong>Focus \u00e9crit<\/strong><\/h2>Pour Nicola Olyslagers, sauteuse en hauteur australienne, la pr\u00e9paration se fait sur la page. La r\u00e9daction d'un journal l'aide \u00e0 saisir, \u00e0 affiner et \u00e0 stabiliser son \u00e9tat d'esprit avant la comp\u00e9tition.<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<!-- row cols image text -->\n<div class=\"gradientnone\">\n<div class=\"row rowTwoColumnsNarrow spacing articleText\">\n    <div class=\"col\">\n            <div class=\"\" ><h2><strong>Un appel devant la foule<\/strong><\/h2>Les liens peuvent \u00eatre aussi solides que la routine. Pour Xavi Simons, milieu de terrain n\u00e9erlandais et l'un des jeunes talents du football, c'est une question de famille. Son rituel consiste \u00e0 appeler sa m\u00e8re et son fr\u00e8re juste avant d'entrer sur le terrain.<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"col\">\n            <div class=\"bgimage\" style=\" aspect-ratio: 1 ; background-image: url('https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Xavi-Simons.jpg'); background-size: cover;background-position: 46% 34%;width:100%\"><\/div>\n            <div class=\"descr\">Xavi Simons<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<!-- row cols image text -->\n<div class=\"gradientnone\">\n<div class=\"row rowTwoColumnsNarrow spacing articleText\">\n    <div class=\"col\">\n            <div class=\"bgimage\" style=\" aspect-ratio: 1 ; background-image: url('https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Breanna-Stewart.jpg'); background-size: cover;background-position: 50% 50%;width:100%\"><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"col\">\n            <div class=\"\" ><h2><strong>La ma\u00eetrise par le mouvement<\/strong><\/h2>Parfois, la routine est tr\u00e8s simple et profond\u00e9ment physique. Breanna Stewart, la reine du basket-ball, fait en sorte que les choses soient coh\u00e9rentes et r\u00e9p\u00e9tables : Pilates, \u00e9chauffement dynamique, puis les m\u00eames tirs, \u00e0 chaque match.<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<!-- row cols image text -->\n<div class=\"gradientnone\">\n<div class=\"row rowTwoColumnsNarrow spacing articleText\">\n    <div class=\"col\">\n            <div class=\"\" ><h2><strong>Des d\u00e9parts propres<\/strong><\/h2>De petits d\u00e9tails peuvent faire toute la diff\u00e9rence. La pr\u00e9paration d'avant-match de la star des haies baham\u00e9enne Devynne Charlton est ax\u00e9e sur le confort et la propret\u00e9. Elle commence chaque saison en achetant une grande bo\u00eete de chaussettes neuves et en porte une nouvelle paire avant chaque rencontre.<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"col\">\n            <div class=\"bgimage\" style=\" aspect-ratio: 1 ; background-image: url('https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DevynneCharlton.jpg'); background-size: cover;background-position: 50% 50%;width:100%\"><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<!-- row cols image text -->\n<div class=\"gradientnone\">\n<div class=\"row rowTwoColumnsNarrow spacing articleText\">\n    <div class=\"col\">\n            <div class=\"bgimage\" style=\" aspect-ratio: 1 ; background-image: url('https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Kai-Havertz-scaled.jpg'); background-size: cover;background-position: 55% 38%;width:100%\"><\/div>\n            <div class=\"descr\">Kai Havertz<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"col\">\n            <div class=\"\" ><h2><strong>La bande-son de l'instant<\/strong><\/h2>Pour de nombreux athl\u00e8tes, la musique joue un r\u00f4le essentiel pour se mettre dans le bon \u00e9tat d'esprit. Par exemple, l'international allemand et star d'Arsenal Kai Havertz \u00e9coute de la musique motivante, souvent du hip-hop, dans les moments qui pr\u00e9c\u00e8dent le coup d'envoi.<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<!-- row text single -->\n<div class=\"gradientnone\">\n<div class=\"row rowSingleColumnWide spacing\">\n    <div class=\"col articleText\">\n        <div class=\"textStyle_intro\" >Les d\u00e9tails peuvent diff\u00e9rer, mais la fonction reste la m\u00eame : les athl\u00e8tes de haut niveau utilisent souvent des rituels et des routines famili\u00e8res pour r\u00e9duire l'incertitude et signaler au cerveau qu'il est en train de faire ce qu'il doit faire. <em>aller<\/em> <em>temps<\/em>.<\/div>\n   <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<!-- row text single -->\n<div class=\"gradientnone\">\n<div class=\"row rowSingleColumnWide spacing\">\n    <div class=\"col articleText\">\n        <div class=\"textStyle_default\" ><h2>Superstition ou rituel, et pourquoi la diff\u00e9rence est importante<\/h2>Il est important de faire la distinction entre les rituels sains et les superstitions. Un rituel, tel qu'il est d\u00e9crit ici, est quelque chose qu'un athl\u00e8te fait activement pour r\u00e9guler son propre \u00e9tat psychologique et \u00e9motionnel. Il est contr\u00f4lable, r\u00e9p\u00e9table et adaptable. S'il est perturb\u00e9, le sportif peut s'adapter sans perdre confiance.<br><br>Les superstitions, en revanche, s'appuient sur des forces ext\u00e9rieures ou sur des croyances relatives \u00e0 la chance. Elles sont souvent rigides et d\u00e9pendent des r\u00e9sultats. Lorsqu'une superstition ne peut \u00eatre respect\u00e9e, l'anxi\u00e9t\u00e9 peut augmenter au lieu de diminuer.<\/div>\n   <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<!-- row text single -->\n<div class=\"gradientnone\">\n<div class=\"row rowSingleColumnWide spacing\">\n    <div class=\"col articleText\">\n        <div class=\"textStyle_default\" ><h2>\u00c0 emporter<\/h2>Les rituels d'avant-match ne rel\u00e8vent ni de la pens\u00e9e magique, ni du confort. Il s'agit en fait d'outils intelligents qui aident les athl\u00e8tes \u00e0 r\u00e9guler leur attention, leurs \u00e9motions et leur confiance en eux sous pression.<br><br>Dans les comp\u00e9titions de haut niveau, la pr\u00e9paration physique est souvent similaire d'un athl\u00e8te \u00e0 l'autre. Ce qui distingue les athl\u00e8tes les plus performants, c'est leur capacit\u00e9 \u00e0 entrer dans le bon \u00e9tat d'esprit, \u00e0 la demande. Les rituels permettent de faire le lien entre la pr\u00e9paration et la performance. Ils ne garantissent pas le succ\u00e8s, mais ils r\u00e9duisent le bruit psychologique dans les moments o\u00f9 la clart\u00e9 est la plus importante. Et dans le sport, cette diff\u00e9rence peut \u00eatre d\u00e9cisive.<\/div>\n   <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<!-- row text single -->\n<div class=\"gradientnone\">\n<div class=\"row rowSingleColumnWide spacing\">\n    <div class=\"col articleText\">\n        <div class=\"textStyle_default\" ><strong>*\u00c9tude mentionn\u00e9e :\u00a0<\/strong><br>Rupprecht, A. G. O., Tran, U. S. et Gr\u00f6pel, P. (2024). The effectiveness of pre-performance routines in sports : a meta-analysis. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 17(1), 39-64. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/1750984X.2021.1944271\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/1750984X.2021.1944271<\/a><\/div>\n   <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>La pr\u00e9paration pour le grand jour peut \u00eatre diff\u00e9rente selon les athl\u00e8tes : manger toujours le m\u00eame repas la veille, porter des chaussettes porte-bonheur, taper trois fois sur le ballon avant de tirer, passer en boucle la playlist d'avant-match qui vous est famili\u00e8re...<\/p>","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":188178,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"is_top_article":false,"is_featured_article":true,"EasyPostViewCounter":3334,"meta-headline":"How to Get Your Head in the Game","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"class_list":["post-188166","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports"],"fullData":{"ID":188166,"post_author":"3","post_date":"2026-01-13 10:16:10","post_date_gmt":"2026-01-13 09:16:10","post_content":"<!-- wp:puma\/row-post-header {\"image\":{\"id\":188178,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Breanna_hero.jpg\"},\"headline\":\"How to Get Your Head in the Game\",\"content\":\"Insights Into Pre-Performance Rituals and Why They Work\",\"className\":\"\",\"previewImage\":\"\",\"lock\":\"\",\"metadata\":\"\",\"TrpContentRestriction\":{\"restriction_type\":\"exclude\",\"selected_languages\":[],\"panel_open\":true}} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:puma\/row-text-single {\"content\":\"Prepping for the big day can look different for different athletes: always eating the same meal the night before, sporting lucky socks, tapping the ball three times before shooting, looping that familiar pre-game playlist\\u0026hellip;\",\"style\":\"intro\",\"className\":\"\",\"width\":\"Wide\",\"firstletter\":\"\",\"gradient\":\"none\",\"spacing\":true,\"previewImage\":\"\",\"lock\":\"\",\"metadata\":\"\",\"TrpContentRestriction\":{\"restriction_type\":\"exclude\",\"selected_languages\":[],\"panel_open\":true}} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:puma\/row-text-single {\"content\":\"Many athletes (whether they admit it or not) have a specific ritual to help get them into that sacred headspace of flow and peak performance known as \\u0026ldquo;the zone\\u0026rdquo;. These routines sit at the intersection of sport psychology and performance science, and have been widely studied for their effects on focus, emotional regulation, and game-day consistency.\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;So, we wanted to know: are these rituals simply comforting habits, or do they genuinely improve athletic performance? Turns out, that while they are (probably) not magic, they do offer a range of benefits. To understand why, let\\u0026rsquo;s look more closely at how pre-performance rituals shape sport.\",\"firstletter\":\"firstLetter\",\"className\":\"\",\"width\":\"Wide\",\"style\":\"default\",\"gradient\":\"none\",\"spacing\":true,\"previewImage\":\"\",\"lock\":\"\",\"metadata\":\"\",\"TrpContentRestriction\":{\"restriction_type\":\"exclude\",\"selected_languages\":[],\"panel_open\":true}} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:puma\/row-text-single {\"content\":\"\\u0026lt;h2\\u0026gt;Defining Pre-Game Rituals\\u0026lt;\/h2\\u0026gt;A pre-game or pre-performance ritual (terms used interchangeably here) is a specific, repeated sequence of behaviours, thoughts or actions completed before a competition, game, or performance, that an athlete believes has a positive influence on their readiness and results. These rituals act as a psychological anchor, helping amateur and elite athletes transition from practice to competition by sharpening focus and enhancing concentration.\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;A recent study* published in the\\u0026lt;em\\u0026gt; International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology\\u0026lt;\/em\\u0026gt; suggests they have a significant and measurable advantageous effect on performance regardless of how simple or complex they are.\",\"className\":\"\",\"width\":\"Wide\",\"style\":\"default\",\"firstletter\":\"\",\"gradient\":\"none\",\"spacing\":true,\"previewImage\":\"\",\"lock\":\"\",\"metadata\":\"\",\"TrpContentRestriction\":{\"restriction_type\":\"exclude\",\"selected_languages\":[],\"panel_open\":true}} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:puma\/row-text-single {\"content\":\"\\u0026lt;h2\\u0026gt;The Brain Under Pressure: Why Rituals Matter\\u0026lt;\/h2\\u0026gt;Competition puts the brain in a uniquely challenging environment. As game time approaches, stress hormones like cortisol rise. Attention can narrow or scatter. Anticipation of evaluation increases activation in neural systems associated with threat detection and uncertainty. In this heightened state, the brain becomes more sensitive to both external distractions, like the surging sounds of the crowd, or internal ones, like doubt or negative self-talk.\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;The challenge for athletes is not to eliminate the body\\u0026rsquo;s natural activation, but to regulate it within an optimal range; this is where aspects of pre-game ritual step in.\",\"className\":\"\",\"width\":\"Wide\",\"style\":\"default\",\"firstletter\":\"\",\"gradient\":\"none\",\"spacing\":true,\"previewImage\":\"\",\"lock\":\"\",\"metadata\":\"\",\"TrpContentRestriction\":{\"restriction_type\":\"exclude\",\"selected_languages\":[],\"panel_open\":true}} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:puma\/row-text-single {\"content\":\"\\u0026lt;h2\\u0026gt;The Psychology Behind Why Rituals Work\\u0026lt;\/h2\\u0026gt;Research proposes several overlapping mechanisms that help explain why these seemingly small behaviours can be so effective.\",\"spacing\":false,\"className\":\"\",\"width\":\"Wide\",\"style\":\"default\",\"firstletter\":\"\",\"gradient\":\"none\",\"previewImage\":\"\",\"lock\":\"\",\"metadata\":\"\",\"TrpContentRestriction\":{\"restriction_type\":\"exclude\",\"selected_languages\":[],\"panel_open\":true}} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:puma\/row-text-single {\"content\":\"\\u0026lt;strong\\u0026gt;Attention and Focus\\u0026lt;\/strong\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;Pre-game rituals act as a funnel for attention. They allow an athlete to redirect their focus on the optimal outcome of the task at hand, improving concentration while minimizing distracting thoughts, external pressures and worries.\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;strong\\u0026gt;Emotional Regulation\\u0026lt;\/strong\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;These behaviours can also serve as powerful tools for managing stress. By introducing predictable sequences into an uncertain environment, rituals create a sense of stability that helps soothe nerves. Over time, ritualized behaviours become associated with readiness, supporting more consistent emotional regulation under pressure.\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;strong\\u0026gt;Confidence and Self-Efficacy\\u0026lt;\/strong\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;An increased perception of control is linked to greater self-confidence and efficacy. Completing a familiar routine can reinforce an athlete\\u0026rsquo;s belief in their preparation and ability, creating a positive feedback loop in which confidence supports execution, and successful execution further strengthens confidence.\",\"className\":\"\",\"width\":\"Wide\",\"style\":\"default\",\"firstletter\":\"\",\"gradient\":\"none\",\"spacing\":true,\"previewImage\":\"\",\"lock\":\"\",\"metadata\":\"\",\"TrpContentRestriction\":{\"restriction_type\":\"exclude\",\"selected_languages\":[],\"panel_open\":true}} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:puma\/row-text-single {\"content\":\"\\u0026lt;h2\\u0026gt;Type of Pre-Game Rituals\\u0026lt;\/h2\\u0026gt;We can categorize pre-game rituals into several overlapping types.\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;li class=\\u0026quot;textStyle_listItem\\u0026quot;\\u0026gt;Physical rituals include warm-up sequences, stretching routines, or repeated movements that prepare the body while cueing the mind.\\u0026lt;\/li\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;li class=\\u0026quot;textStyle_listItem\\u0026quot;\\u0026gt;Mental rituals involve imagery, visualization, self-talk, or mental rehearsal, helping athletes clarify intention and focus.\\u0026lt;\/li\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;li class=\\u0026quot;textStyle_listItem\\u0026quot;\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;span style=\\u0026quot;white-space-collapse: preserve;\\u0026quot;\\u0026gt;Sensory rituals rely on music, clothing, equipment, or tactile sensations that evoke a familiar emotional state.\\u0026lt;\/span\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;\/li\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;li class=\\u0026quot;textStyle_listItem\\u0026quot;\\u0026gt;Nutritional rituals can look like certain meals or snacks consumed at certain times.\\u0026lt;\/li\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;li class=\\u0026quot;textStyle_listItem\\u0026quot;\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;span style=\\u0026quot;white-space-collapse: preserve;\\u0026quot;\\u0026gt;Social or team rituals involve shared behaviours that reinforce group identity and cohesion.\\u0026lt;\/span\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;\/li\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;The most effective rituals are tailored to the individual athlete and repeated consistently over time.\",\"className\":\"\",\"width\":\"Wide\",\"style\":\"default\",\"firstletter\":\"\",\"gradient\":\"none\",\"spacing\":true,\"previewImage\":\"\",\"lock\":\"\",\"metadata\":\"\",\"TrpContentRestriction\":{\"restriction_type\":\"exclude\",\"selected_languages\":[],\"panel_open\":true}} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:puma\/row-text-single {\"content\":\"\\u0026lt;h2\\u0026gt;How Elite Athletes Prepare\\u0026lt;\/h2\\u0026gt;Long before the crowd arrives and the scoreboard lights up, athletes are already preparing themselves with personal habits that help them settle, focus, and feel ready to perform.\",\"className\":\"\",\"width\":\"Wide\",\"style\":\"default\",\"firstletter\":\"\",\"gradient\":\"none\",\"spacing\":true,\"previewImage\":\"\",\"lock\":\"\",\"metadata\":\"\",\"TrpContentRestriction\":{\"restriction_type\":\"exclude\",\"selected_languages\":[],\"panel_open\":true}} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:puma\/row-cols-image-text {\"content\":\"\\u0026lt;h2\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;strong\\u0026gt;Food for Thought\\u0026lt;\/strong\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;\/h2\\u0026gt;Pre-game preparation can begin with something as familiar as a meal. For Paralympic champion and world-record holder Salum Kashafali, food serves as both fuel and a signal, telling body and mind that it is time to compete. His ritual? Chicken and rice the night before and watermelon the morning of.\",\"image\":{\"id\":51797,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/SalumK_S-e1689259692139.png\"},\"aspect\":\"1\",\"caption\":\"Salum Kashafali\",\"className\":\"\",\"order\":\"1\",\"width\":\"Narrow\",\"style\":\"\",\"gradient\":\"none\",\"showCaption\":true,\"spacing\":true,\"previewImage\":\"\",\"lock\":\"\",\"metadata\":\"\",\"TrpContentRestriction\":{\"restriction_type\":\"exclude\",\"selected_languages\":[],\"panel_open\":true}} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:puma\/row-cols-image-text {\"content\":\"\\u0026lt;h2\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;strong\\u0026gt;Written Focus\\u0026lt;\/strong\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;\/h2\\u0026gt;And for Aussie high jumper Nicola Olyslagers, preparation happens on the page. Journaling helps her capture, refine, and settle her mindset before competition.\",\"image\":{\"id\":188183,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Nicola_GettyImages-2236540174.jpg\"},\"order\":\"2\",\"aspect\":\"1\",\"caption\":\"Nicola OlyslagerS (Photo by Cameron Spencer\/Getty Images)\",\"className\":\"\",\"width\":\"Narrow\",\"style\":\"\",\"gradient\":\"none\",\"showCaption\":true,\"spacing\":true,\"previewImage\":\"\",\"lock\":\"\",\"metadata\":\"\",\"TrpContentRestriction\":{\"restriction_type\":\"exclude\",\"selected_languages\":[],\"panel_open\":true}} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:puma\/row-cols-image-text {\"content\":\"\\u0026lt;h2\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;strong\\u0026gt;A Call Before the Crowd\\u0026lt;\/strong\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;\/h2\\u0026gt;Connection can be just as grounding as routine. For Xavi Simons, the Dutch midfielder and one of football\\u0026rsquo;s bright young talents, it\\u0026rsquo;s all about family. His ritual looks like calling his mother and brother right before stepping onto the pitch.\",\"image\":{\"id\":188180,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Xavi-Simons.jpg\"},\"aspect\":\"1\",\"caption\":\"Xavi Simons\",\"className\":\"\",\"order\":\"1\",\"width\":\"Narrow\",\"style\":\"\",\"gradient\":\"none\",\"showCaption\":true,\"spacing\":true,\"previewImage\":\"\",\"lock\":\"\",\"metadata\":\"\",\"TrpContentRestriction\":{\"restriction_type\":\"exclude\",\"selected_languages\":[],\"panel_open\":true}} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:puma\/row-cols-image-text {\"content\":\"\\u0026lt;h2\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;strong\\u0026gt;Mastery through Movement\\u0026lt;\/strong\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;\/h2\\u0026gt;Sometimes, the routine is very simple and deeply physical. Basketball queen Breanna Stewart keeps things consistent and repeatable: Pilates, a dynamic warm-up, then the same shots, every single game.\",\"image\":{\"id\":188181,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Breanna-Stewart.jpg\"},\"order\":\"2\",\"aspect\":\"1\",\"className\":\"\",\"width\":\"Narrow\",\"style\":\"\",\"gradient\":\"none\",\"caption\":\"\",\"showCaption\":true,\"spacing\":true,\"previewImage\":\"\",\"lock\":\"\",\"metadata\":\"\",\"TrpContentRestriction\":{\"restriction_type\":\"exclude\",\"selected_languages\":[],\"panel_open\":true}} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:puma\/row-cols-image-text {\"content\":\"\\u0026lt;h2\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;strong\\u0026gt;Clean Starts\\u0026lt;\/strong\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;\/h2\\u0026gt;Small details can make all the difference. Bahamian hurdle star Devynne Charlton\\u0026rsquo;s pre-game prep is all about comfort and cleanliness. She starts each season by buying a big box of brand-new socks and wears a fresh pair before every meet.\",\"image\":{\"id\":188182,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DevynneCharlton.jpg\"},\"aspect\":\"1\",\"className\":\"\",\"order\":\"1\",\"width\":\"Narrow\",\"style\":\"\",\"gradient\":\"none\",\"caption\":\"\",\"showCaption\":true,\"spacing\":true,\"previewImage\":\"\",\"lock\":\"\",\"metadata\":\"\",\"TrpContentRestriction\":{\"restriction_type\":\"exclude\",\"selected_languages\":[],\"panel_open\":true}} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:puma\/row-cols-image-text {\"content\":\"\\u0026lt;h2\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;strong\\u0026gt;Soundtrack the Moment\\u0026lt;\/strong\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;\/h2\\u0026gt;For many athletes, music plays a central role in getting into the right headspace. For example, German international and Arsenal star Kai Havertz turns to motivating music, often hip-hop, in the moments right before kickoff.\",\"image\":{\"id\":188179,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Kai-Havertz-scaled.jpg\"},\"order\":\"2\",\"aspect\":\"1\",\"caption\":\"Kai Havertz\",\"className\":\"\",\"width\":\"Narrow\",\"style\":\"\",\"gradient\":\"none\",\"showCaption\":true,\"spacing\":true,\"previewImage\":\"\",\"lock\":\"\",\"metadata\":\"\",\"TrpContentRestriction\":{\"restriction_type\":\"exclude\",\"selected_languages\":[],\"panel_open\":true}} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:puma\/row-text-single {\"content\":\"Details may differ, but function remains the same: top athletes often use familiar rituals and routines to reduce uncertainty and signal to the brain that it\\u0026rsquo;s \\u0026lt;em\\u0026gt;go\\u0026lt;\/em\\u0026gt; \\u0026lt;em\\u0026gt;time\\u0026lt;\/em\\u0026gt;.\",\"style\":\"intro\",\"className\":\"\",\"width\":\"Wide\",\"firstletter\":\"\",\"gradient\":\"none\",\"spacing\":true,\"previewImage\":\"\",\"lock\":\"\",\"metadata\":\"\",\"TrpContentRestriction\":{\"restriction_type\":\"exclude\",\"selected_languages\":[],\"panel_open\":true}} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:puma\/row-text-single {\"content\":\"\\u0026lt;h2\\u0026gt;Superstition vs Ritual, and Why the Difference Matters\\u0026lt;\/h2\\u0026gt;It is important to distinguish between healthy rituals and superstition. A ritual, as discussed here, is something an athlete actively does to regulate their own psychological and emotional state. It is controllable, repeatable, and adaptable. If disrupted, the athlete can adjust without losing confidence.\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;Superstitions, by contrast, rely on external forces or beliefs about luck. They are often rigid and outcome dependent. When a superstition cannot be performed, anxiety can increase rather than decrease.\",\"className\":\"\",\"width\":\"Wide\",\"style\":\"default\",\"firstletter\":\"\",\"gradient\":\"none\",\"spacing\":true,\"previewImage\":\"\",\"lock\":\"\",\"metadata\":\"\",\"TrpContentRestriction\":{\"restriction_type\":\"exclude\",\"selected_languages\":[],\"panel_open\":true}} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:puma\/row-text-single {\"content\":\"\\u0026lt;h2\\u0026gt;The Takeaway\\u0026lt;\/h2\\u0026gt;Pre-game rituals are not magical thinking, nor creature comforts. They are actually quite intelligent tools that help athletes regulate attention, emotion, and confidence under pressure.\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;In high-level competition, physical preparation is often similar across athletes. What separates consistent performers is their ability to enter the right mental state, on demand. Rituals help provide a bridge between preparation and performance. They do not guarantee success, but they do reduce psychological noise at moments when clarity matters most. And in sport, that difference can be decisive.\",\"className\":\"\",\"width\":\"Wide\",\"style\":\"default\",\"firstletter\":\"\",\"gradient\":\"none\",\"spacing\":true,\"previewImage\":\"\",\"lock\":\"\",\"metadata\":\"\",\"TrpContentRestriction\":{\"restriction_type\":\"exclude\",\"selected_languages\":[],\"panel_open\":true}} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:puma\/row-text-single {\"content\":\"\\u0026lt;strong\\u0026gt;*Mentioned study:\\u0026nbsp;\\u0026lt;\/strong\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;Rupprecht, A. G. O., Tran, U. S., \\u0026amp;amp; Gr\\u0026ouml;pel, P. (2024). The effectiveness of pre-performance routines in sports: a meta-analysis. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 17(1), 39\\u0026ndash;64. \\u0026lt;a href=\\u0026quot;https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/1750984X.2021.1944271\\u0026quot;\\u0026gt;https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/1750984X.2021.1944271\\u0026lt;\/a\\u0026gt;\",\"className\":\"\",\"width\":\"Wide\",\"style\":\"default\",\"firstletter\":\"\",\"gradient\":\"none\",\"spacing\":true,\"previewImage\":\"\",\"lock\":\"\",\"metadata\":\"\",\"TrpContentRestriction\":{\"restriction_type\":\"exclude\",\"selected_languages\":[],\"panel_open\":true}} \/-->","post_title":"How to Get Your Head in the Game","post_excerpt":"Prepping for the big day can look different for different athletes: always eating the same meal the night before, sporting lucky socks, tapping the ball three times before shooting, looping that familiar pre-game playlist\u2026","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"how-to-get-your-head-in-the-game","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2026-01-13 10:16:14","post_modified_gmt":"2026-01-13 09:16:14","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/?p=188166","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw","ancestors":[],"page_template":"","post_category":[18],"tags_input":[],"id":188166,"author":"3","date":"2026-01-13 10:16:10","date_gmt":"2026-01-13 09:16:10","content":"<!-- wp:puma\/row-post-header {\"image\":{\"id\":188178,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Breanna_hero.jpg\"},\"headline\":\"How to Get Your Head in the Game\",\"content\":\"Insights Into Pre-Performance Rituals and Why They Work\",\"className\":\"\",\"previewImage\":\"\",\"lock\":\"\",\"metadata\":\"\",\"TrpContentRestriction\":{\"restriction_type\":\"exclude\",\"selected_languages\":[],\"panel_open\":true}} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:puma\/row-text-single {\"content\":\"Prepping for the big day can look different for different athletes: always eating the same meal the night before, sporting lucky socks, tapping the ball three times before shooting, looping that familiar pre-game playlist\\u0026hellip;\",\"style\":\"intro\",\"className\":\"\",\"width\":\"Wide\",\"firstletter\":\"\",\"gradient\":\"none\",\"spacing\":true,\"previewImage\":\"\",\"lock\":\"\",\"metadata\":\"\",\"TrpContentRestriction\":{\"restriction_type\":\"exclude\",\"selected_languages\":[],\"panel_open\":true}} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:puma\/row-text-single {\"content\":\"Many athletes (whether they admit it or not) have a specific ritual to help get them into that sacred headspace of flow and peak performance known as \\u0026ldquo;the zone\\u0026rdquo;. These routines sit at the intersection of sport psychology and performance science, and have been widely studied for their effects on focus, emotional regulation, and game-day consistency.\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;So, we wanted to know: are these rituals simply comforting habits, or do they genuinely improve athletic performance? Turns out, that while they are (probably) not magic, they do offer a range of benefits. To understand why, let\\u0026rsquo;s look more closely at how pre-performance rituals shape sport.\",\"firstletter\":\"firstLetter\",\"className\":\"\",\"width\":\"Wide\",\"style\":\"default\",\"gradient\":\"none\",\"spacing\":true,\"previewImage\":\"\",\"lock\":\"\",\"metadata\":\"\",\"TrpContentRestriction\":{\"restriction_type\":\"exclude\",\"selected_languages\":[],\"panel_open\":true}} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:puma\/row-text-single {\"content\":\"\\u0026lt;h2\\u0026gt;Defining Pre-Game Rituals\\u0026lt;\/h2\\u0026gt;A pre-game or pre-performance ritual (terms used interchangeably here) is a specific, repeated sequence of behaviours, thoughts or actions completed before a competition, game, or performance, that an athlete believes has a positive influence on their readiness and results. These rituals act as a psychological anchor, helping amateur and elite athletes transition from practice to competition by sharpening focus and enhancing concentration.\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;A recent study* published in the\\u0026lt;em\\u0026gt; International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology\\u0026lt;\/em\\u0026gt; suggests they have a significant and measurable advantageous effect on performance regardless of how simple or complex they are.\",\"className\":\"\",\"width\":\"Wide\",\"style\":\"default\",\"firstletter\":\"\",\"gradient\":\"none\",\"spacing\":true,\"previewImage\":\"\",\"lock\":\"\",\"metadata\":\"\",\"TrpContentRestriction\":{\"restriction_type\":\"exclude\",\"selected_languages\":[],\"panel_open\":true}} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:puma\/row-text-single {\"content\":\"\\u0026lt;h2\\u0026gt;The Brain Under Pressure: Why Rituals Matter\\u0026lt;\/h2\\u0026gt;Competition puts the brain in a uniquely challenging environment. As game time approaches, stress hormones like cortisol rise. Attention can narrow or scatter. Anticipation of evaluation increases activation in neural systems associated with threat detection and uncertainty. In this heightened state, the brain becomes more sensitive to both external distractions, like the surging sounds of the crowd, or internal ones, like doubt or negative self-talk.\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;The challenge for athletes is not to eliminate the body\\u0026rsquo;s natural activation, but to regulate it within an optimal range; this is where aspects of pre-game ritual step in.\",\"className\":\"\",\"width\":\"Wide\",\"style\":\"default\",\"firstletter\":\"\",\"gradient\":\"none\",\"spacing\":true,\"previewImage\":\"\",\"lock\":\"\",\"metadata\":\"\",\"TrpContentRestriction\":{\"restriction_type\":\"exclude\",\"selected_languages\":[],\"panel_open\":true}} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:puma\/row-text-single {\"content\":\"\\u0026lt;h2\\u0026gt;The Psychology Behind Why Rituals Work\\u0026lt;\/h2\\u0026gt;Research proposes several overlapping mechanisms that help explain why these seemingly small behaviours can be so effective.\",\"spacing\":false,\"className\":\"\",\"width\":\"Wide\",\"style\":\"default\",\"firstletter\":\"\",\"gradient\":\"none\",\"previewImage\":\"\",\"lock\":\"\",\"metadata\":\"\",\"TrpContentRestriction\":{\"restriction_type\":\"exclude\",\"selected_languages\":[],\"panel_open\":true}} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:puma\/row-text-single {\"content\":\"\\u0026lt;strong\\u0026gt;Attention and Focus\\u0026lt;\/strong\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;Pre-game rituals act as a funnel for attention. They allow an athlete to redirect their focus on the optimal outcome of the task at hand, improving concentration while minimizing distracting thoughts, external pressures and worries.\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;strong\\u0026gt;Emotional Regulation\\u0026lt;\/strong\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;These behaviours can also serve as powerful tools for managing stress. By introducing predictable sequences into an uncertain environment, rituals create a sense of stability that helps soothe nerves. Over time, ritualized behaviours become associated with readiness, supporting more consistent emotional regulation under pressure.\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;strong\\u0026gt;Confidence and Self-Efficacy\\u0026lt;\/strong\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;An increased perception of control is linked to greater self-confidence and efficacy. Completing a familiar routine can reinforce an athlete\\u0026rsquo;s belief in their preparation and ability, creating a positive feedback loop in which confidence supports execution, and successful execution further strengthens confidence.\",\"className\":\"\",\"width\":\"Wide\",\"style\":\"default\",\"firstletter\":\"\",\"gradient\":\"none\",\"spacing\":true,\"previewImage\":\"\",\"lock\":\"\",\"metadata\":\"\",\"TrpContentRestriction\":{\"restriction_type\":\"exclude\",\"selected_languages\":[],\"panel_open\":true}} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:puma\/row-text-single {\"content\":\"\\u0026lt;h2\\u0026gt;Type of Pre-Game Rituals\\u0026lt;\/h2\\u0026gt;We can categorize pre-game rituals into several overlapping types.\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;li class=\\u0026quot;textStyle_listItem\\u0026quot;\\u0026gt;Physical rituals include warm-up sequences, stretching routines, or repeated movements that prepare the body while cueing the mind.\\u0026lt;\/li\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;li class=\\u0026quot;textStyle_listItem\\u0026quot;\\u0026gt;Mental rituals involve imagery, visualization, self-talk, or mental rehearsal, helping athletes clarify intention and focus.\\u0026lt;\/li\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;li class=\\u0026quot;textStyle_listItem\\u0026quot;\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;span style=\\u0026quot;white-space-collapse: preserve;\\u0026quot;\\u0026gt;Sensory rituals rely on music, clothing, equipment, or tactile sensations that evoke a familiar emotional state.\\u0026lt;\/span\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;\/li\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;li class=\\u0026quot;textStyle_listItem\\u0026quot;\\u0026gt;Nutritional rituals can look like certain meals or snacks consumed at certain times.\\u0026lt;\/li\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;li class=\\u0026quot;textStyle_listItem\\u0026quot;\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;span style=\\u0026quot;white-space-collapse: preserve;\\u0026quot;\\u0026gt;Social or team rituals involve shared behaviours that reinforce group identity and cohesion.\\u0026lt;\/span\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;\/li\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;The most effective rituals are tailored to the individual athlete and repeated consistently over time.\",\"className\":\"\",\"width\":\"Wide\",\"style\":\"default\",\"firstletter\":\"\",\"gradient\":\"none\",\"spacing\":true,\"previewImage\":\"\",\"lock\":\"\",\"metadata\":\"\",\"TrpContentRestriction\":{\"restriction_type\":\"exclude\",\"selected_languages\":[],\"panel_open\":true}} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:puma\/row-text-single {\"content\":\"\\u0026lt;h2\\u0026gt;How Elite Athletes Prepare\\u0026lt;\/h2\\u0026gt;Long before the crowd arrives and the scoreboard lights up, athletes are already preparing themselves with personal habits that help them settle, focus, and feel ready to perform.\",\"className\":\"\",\"width\":\"Wide\",\"style\":\"default\",\"firstletter\":\"\",\"gradient\":\"none\",\"spacing\":true,\"previewImage\":\"\",\"lock\":\"\",\"metadata\":\"\",\"TrpContentRestriction\":{\"restriction_type\":\"exclude\",\"selected_languages\":[],\"panel_open\":true}} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:puma\/row-cols-image-text {\"content\":\"\\u0026lt;h2\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;strong\\u0026gt;Food for Thought\\u0026lt;\/strong\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;\/h2\\u0026gt;Pre-game preparation can begin with something as familiar as a meal. For Paralympic champion and world-record holder Salum Kashafali, food serves as both fuel and a signal, telling body and mind that it is time to compete. His ritual? Chicken and rice the night before and watermelon the morning of.\",\"image\":{\"id\":51797,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/SalumK_S-e1689259692139.png\"},\"aspect\":\"1\",\"caption\":\"Salum Kashafali\",\"className\":\"\",\"order\":\"1\",\"width\":\"Narrow\",\"style\":\"\",\"gradient\":\"none\",\"showCaption\":true,\"spacing\":true,\"previewImage\":\"\",\"lock\":\"\",\"metadata\":\"\",\"TrpContentRestriction\":{\"restriction_type\":\"exclude\",\"selected_languages\":[],\"panel_open\":true}} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:puma\/row-cols-image-text {\"content\":\"\\u0026lt;h2\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;strong\\u0026gt;Written Focus\\u0026lt;\/strong\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;\/h2\\u0026gt;And for Aussie high jumper Nicola Olyslagers, preparation happens on the page. Journaling helps her capture, refine, and settle her mindset before competition.\",\"image\":{\"id\":188183,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Nicola_GettyImages-2236540174.jpg\"},\"order\":\"2\",\"aspect\":\"1\",\"caption\":\"Nicola OlyslagerS (Photo by Cameron Spencer\/Getty Images)\",\"className\":\"\",\"width\":\"Narrow\",\"style\":\"\",\"gradient\":\"none\",\"showCaption\":true,\"spacing\":true,\"previewImage\":\"\",\"lock\":\"\",\"metadata\":\"\",\"TrpContentRestriction\":{\"restriction_type\":\"exclude\",\"selected_languages\":[],\"panel_open\":true}} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:puma\/row-cols-image-text {\"content\":\"\\u0026lt;h2\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;strong\\u0026gt;A Call Before the Crowd\\u0026lt;\/strong\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;\/h2\\u0026gt;Connection can be just as grounding as routine. For Xavi Simons, the Dutch midfielder and one of football\\u0026rsquo;s bright young talents, it\\u0026rsquo;s all about family. His ritual looks like calling his mother and brother right before stepping onto the pitch.\",\"image\":{\"id\":188180,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Xavi-Simons.jpg\"},\"aspect\":\"1\",\"caption\":\"Xavi Simons\",\"className\":\"\",\"order\":\"1\",\"width\":\"Narrow\",\"style\":\"\",\"gradient\":\"none\",\"showCaption\":true,\"spacing\":true,\"previewImage\":\"\",\"lock\":\"\",\"metadata\":\"\",\"TrpContentRestriction\":{\"restriction_type\":\"exclude\",\"selected_languages\":[],\"panel_open\":true}} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:puma\/row-cols-image-text {\"content\":\"\\u0026lt;h2\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;strong\\u0026gt;Mastery through Movement\\u0026lt;\/strong\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;\/h2\\u0026gt;Sometimes, the routine is very simple and deeply physical. Basketball queen Breanna Stewart keeps things consistent and repeatable: Pilates, a dynamic warm-up, then the same shots, every single game.\",\"image\":{\"id\":188181,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Breanna-Stewart.jpg\"},\"order\":\"2\",\"aspect\":\"1\",\"className\":\"\",\"width\":\"Narrow\",\"style\":\"\",\"gradient\":\"none\",\"caption\":\"\",\"showCaption\":true,\"spacing\":true,\"previewImage\":\"\",\"lock\":\"\",\"metadata\":\"\",\"TrpContentRestriction\":{\"restriction_type\":\"exclude\",\"selected_languages\":[],\"panel_open\":true}} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:puma\/row-cols-image-text {\"content\":\"\\u0026lt;h2\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;strong\\u0026gt;Clean Starts\\u0026lt;\/strong\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;\/h2\\u0026gt;Small details can make all the difference. Bahamian hurdle star Devynne Charlton\\u0026rsquo;s pre-game prep is all about comfort and cleanliness. She starts each season by buying a big box of brand-new socks and wears a fresh pair before every meet.\",\"image\":{\"id\":188182,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DevynneCharlton.jpg\"},\"aspect\":\"1\",\"className\":\"\",\"order\":\"1\",\"width\":\"Narrow\",\"style\":\"\",\"gradient\":\"none\",\"caption\":\"\",\"showCaption\":true,\"spacing\":true,\"previewImage\":\"\",\"lock\":\"\",\"metadata\":\"\",\"TrpContentRestriction\":{\"restriction_type\":\"exclude\",\"selected_languages\":[],\"panel_open\":true}} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:puma\/row-cols-image-text {\"content\":\"\\u0026lt;h2\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;strong\\u0026gt;Soundtrack the Moment\\u0026lt;\/strong\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;\/h2\\u0026gt;For many athletes, music plays a central role in getting into the right headspace. For example, German international and Arsenal star Kai Havertz turns to motivating music, often hip-hop, in the moments right before kickoff.\",\"image\":{\"id\":188179,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Kai-Havertz-scaled.jpg\"},\"order\":\"2\",\"aspect\":\"1\",\"caption\":\"Kai Havertz\",\"className\":\"\",\"width\":\"Narrow\",\"style\":\"\",\"gradient\":\"none\",\"showCaption\":true,\"spacing\":true,\"previewImage\":\"\",\"lock\":\"\",\"metadata\":\"\",\"TrpContentRestriction\":{\"restriction_type\":\"exclude\",\"selected_languages\":[],\"panel_open\":true}} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:puma\/row-text-single {\"content\":\"Details may differ, but function remains the same: top athletes often use familiar rituals and routines to reduce uncertainty and signal to the brain that it\\u0026rsquo;s \\u0026lt;em\\u0026gt;go\\u0026lt;\/em\\u0026gt; \\u0026lt;em\\u0026gt;time\\u0026lt;\/em\\u0026gt;.\",\"style\":\"intro\",\"className\":\"\",\"width\":\"Wide\",\"firstletter\":\"\",\"gradient\":\"none\",\"spacing\":true,\"previewImage\":\"\",\"lock\":\"\",\"metadata\":\"\",\"TrpContentRestriction\":{\"restriction_type\":\"exclude\",\"selected_languages\":[],\"panel_open\":true}} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:puma\/row-text-single {\"content\":\"\\u0026lt;h2\\u0026gt;Superstition vs Ritual, and Why the Difference Matters\\u0026lt;\/h2\\u0026gt;It is important to distinguish between healthy rituals and superstition. A ritual, as discussed here, is something an athlete actively does to regulate their own psychological and emotional state. It is controllable, repeatable, and adaptable. If disrupted, the athlete can adjust without losing confidence.\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;Superstitions, by contrast, rely on external forces or beliefs about luck. They are often rigid and outcome dependent. When a superstition cannot be performed, anxiety can increase rather than decrease.\",\"className\":\"\",\"width\":\"Wide\",\"style\":\"default\",\"firstletter\":\"\",\"gradient\":\"none\",\"spacing\":true,\"previewImage\":\"\",\"lock\":\"\",\"metadata\":\"\",\"TrpContentRestriction\":{\"restriction_type\":\"exclude\",\"selected_languages\":[],\"panel_open\":true}} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:puma\/row-text-single {\"content\":\"\\u0026lt;h2\\u0026gt;The Takeaway\\u0026lt;\/h2\\u0026gt;Pre-game rituals are not magical thinking, nor creature comforts. They are actually quite intelligent tools that help athletes regulate attention, emotion, and confidence under pressure.\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;In high-level competition, physical preparation is often similar across athletes. What separates consistent performers is their ability to enter the right mental state, on demand. Rituals help provide a bridge between preparation and performance. They do not guarantee success, but they do reduce psychological noise at moments when clarity matters most. And in sport, that difference can be decisive.\",\"className\":\"\",\"width\":\"Wide\",\"style\":\"default\",\"firstletter\":\"\",\"gradient\":\"none\",\"spacing\":true,\"previewImage\":\"\",\"lock\":\"\",\"metadata\":\"\",\"TrpContentRestriction\":{\"restriction_type\":\"exclude\",\"selected_languages\":[],\"panel_open\":true}} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:puma\/row-text-single {\"content\":\"\\u0026lt;strong\\u0026gt;*Mentioned study:\\u0026nbsp;\\u0026lt;\/strong\\u0026gt;\\u0026lt;br\\u0026gt;Rupprecht, A. G. O., Tran, U. S., \\u0026amp;amp; Gr\\u0026ouml;pel, P. (2024). The effectiveness of pre-performance routines in sports: a meta-analysis. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 17(1), 39\\u0026ndash;64. \\u0026lt;a href=\\u0026quot;https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/1750984X.2021.1944271\\u0026quot;\\u0026gt;https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/1750984X.2021.1944271\\u0026lt;\/a\\u0026gt;\",\"className\":\"\",\"width\":\"Wide\",\"style\":\"default\",\"firstletter\":\"\",\"gradient\":\"none\",\"spacing\":true,\"previewImage\":\"\",\"lock\":\"\",\"metadata\":\"\",\"TrpContentRestriction\":{\"restriction_type\":\"exclude\",\"selected_languages\":[],\"panel_open\":true}} \/-->","title":"Comment se mettre dans le bain","excerpt":"La pr\u00e9paration pour le grand jour peut \u00eatre diff\u00e9rente selon les athl\u00e8tes : manger toujours le m\u00eame repas la veille, porter des chaussettes porte-bonheur, taper trois fois sur le ballon avant de tirer, passer en boucle la playlist d'avant-match qui vous est famili\u00e8re...","status":"publish","password":"","name":"comment se mettre dans le bain","modified":"2026-01-13 10:16:14","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13 09:16:14","content_filtered":"","parent":0,"type":"post","mime_type":"","template":"","category":[18],"datetime_local":"13 janvier 2026 \u00e0 09:16","date_local":"13 janvier 2026","time_local":"09:16","slug":"how-to-get-your-head-in-the-game","url":"https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/fr\/sports\/how-to-get-your-head-in-the-game\/","featured_image":{"width":2000,"height":1345,"file":"2026\/01\/Breanna_hero.jpg","filesize":771213,"sizes":{"medium":{"file":"Breanna_hero-300x202.jpg","width":300,"height":202,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":21253},"large":{"file":"Breanna_hero-1024x689.jpg","width":1024,"height":689,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":134815},"thumbnail":{"file":"Breanna_hero-150x150.jpg","width":150,"height":150,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":12605},"medium_large":{"file":"Breanna_hero-768x516.jpg","width":768,"height":516,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":83002},"1536x1536":{"file":"Breanna_hero-1536x1033.jpg","width":1536,"height":1033,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":278285},"trp-custom-language-flag":{"file":"Breanna_hero-18x12.jpg","width":18,"height":12,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":4644}},"image_meta":{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1","keywords":[]},"id":188178,"alt":"","caption":"","description":"","url":"https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Breanna_hero.jpg","title":"Breanna_hero","aspect_ratio":1.486988847583643,"focalPointLeft":0.37,"focalPointTop":0.23},"headline":"How to Get Your Head in the Game","categories":[{"term_id":18,"name":"Sports","slug":"sports","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":18,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":857,"filter":"raw","url":"https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/fr\/category\/sports\/"}],"theCategory":{"term_id":18,"name":"Sports","slug":"sports","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":18,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":857,"filter":"raw","url":"https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/fr\/category\/sports\/"},"isFeaturedArticle":true,"isTopArticle":false},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/188166","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=188166"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/188166\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/188178"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=188166"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.puma-catchup.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=188166"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}