Athletes prepare for competitions through a mixture of physical training, mental conditioning, and key planning. In the days or weeks leading up to a competition/game, they follow ordered routines that construct strength, endurance, and skill while also ranking rest and recovery to prevent injury. Past physical readiness, athletes usually focus on mental preparation, utilizing techniques like picturing and goal-setting to improve coaching guidance, and careful examination of opponents or past presentations also play an important role, making sure that when game days arrive, they are fully equipped to perform at their best.

The boys soccer team has been doing a really good job at staying undefeated.  Coach C  said, “We feel good that we have won every game one game at a time; everyone is targeting us.” Every team has strengths, some more than others. Coach C said, ” We stay in every game; we are more disciplined than focused.” All athletes have a motivation to keep going and pushing through, even when things get hard, they keep pushing through.

“What keeps me pushing through is wanting to win,” said freshman Elaina Cruz. “My brothers keep me motivated, they taught me everything, and when they show up, they make me play better,” said freshman Micah Aguilar. Some athletes get nervous or get more competitive when their family shows up. “When they go watch me swim, I feel more motivated to do better,” said freshman Estrella Seanz. Music also motivates some people in certain situations. “I like to listen to music, and I listen to Laufey,” said freshman Brittney Morales. “I listen to music like Don Toliver and Drake. It calms my nerves down,”  said freshman Micah Aguilar. 

All athletes prepare differently from each other on game day. Some like to prepare with friends or by themselves, some feel more focused alone, and some find it more fun with friends. “I like to prepare by myself, it gets me in my own thoughts,”  said freshman Micah Aguilar. ” I like to prepare by myself because I focus more,” said freshman Estrella Seanz. ” I pray to God before, and listen to my favorite artists like Junior H, Kali Uchis, Rauw Alejandro, and Deftones,” said freshman Estrella Seanz. “I listen to music, or I start jogging in place,”  said freshman Elaina Cruz. 

Some people, when they look good, feel and play well. It motivates them to do better. Some don’t care about how they look; they don’t let that depend on how they play. “I like a braided bun because it keeps my hair out of my face and it is comfortable,” said freshman Brittney Morales. A lot of people eat protein because it helps their muscle growth, and it gives them the energy they need, making them stronger. “I eat anything with meat because it has protein and it makes me feel stronger,” said Brittney Morales. ” I go on daily walks, I do curl-ups in my room, and I like to eat chicken with white rice,” said freshman Estrella Seanz. “We watch a video film and eat proteins,” said Coach C. 

Behind every performance is a carefully built routine of physical conditioning, mental focus, planning, and coming back. Athletes don’t just show up ready, they prepare with purpose, discipline, and consistency long before the whistle blows. It’s commitment behind the scenes that changes preparation into performance and separates good athletes from actual great ones.

Behind every good athlete comes lots of preparation and determination. All athletes have different ways to prepare themselves mentally and physically before games, matches, meets, or before the season starts.

Before the season actually starts, many athletes like to prepare and stay fit by going on daily runs, watching their meals, and using many other strategies. “During the off-season, I mainly just lift weights to keep muscle and also maintain consistently all year round,” said wrestler Isai Amaya. He then added, “As the season approaches, I start to do more cardio to make sure I’m fit and in shape for wrestling.” Just like Isai, many athletes like to stay on a healthy diet with many proteins and vitamins, and also stay fit by doing some cardio.

With every sport comes friendship and leadership. Many athletes like to prepare with friends because it brings joy to them, but other athletes also like to prepare by themselves to have more focus on their performance. Lacrosse athlete, Alicia Ortega, shared why she prefers to prepare alone instead of preparing with friends, “Before games I like to prepare alone because I like to self motivate  and tell myself that I will try my best and if anything happens it’s okay.” She then added, “Last season I sprained my ankle, so I always tell myself that I will be fine and that I won’t get injured again, and to take it easy on myself, give it my best, make memories, have fun, even if we win or lose, I always tell myself that I gave it my best.” In contrast to Alicia, volleyball athlete Giselle Escobar shared why she prefers to prepare with friends. “Before games, I enjoy preparing with a friend, as it is easier when there are two people, and it prepares you more for when you’re facing another person on the opposing team during a game.”

Before every game, athletes like to prepare in many ways. Some athletes listen to music, some like to eat, etc. Volleyball athlete Giselle Escobar shared some of the things she likes to do to prepare herself for a game. “Some things I like to do before games to both mentally and physically prepare myself would honestly be talking to my friends and teammates about the game or telling myself to push myself to do my best because the game won’t always be as easy as I assume and how it’ll be okay if I make a mistake.” Along with Giselle, track athlete Anayeli Sosa-Rubio shared some similarities to Giselle, “Before meets, I like to eat, pray, listen to music, and warm up by doing a lap around the track and stretching with my friends.”

Many athletes have different meals and types of music they enjoy before games, matches, or meets. Wrestler Isai Amaya shared some of his favorite meals and songs he enjoys before a match: “Before matches, I usually eat something nutritious but also filling, so fruit is something I usually eat, like bananas and apples, but sometimes I also eat rice cakes.” He then shared, “Some songs I listen to before matches are just songs that get me going and hyped up because all people have different songs to get them pumped up and ready to go out and perform well.”

What are some things that you like to do to prepare yourself? Are any of the things that these athletes do similar to you? Share your answers and thoughts on this article in the comments!