The Psychology of Superstitions and Rituals in Sport

By Audric S. H. Chia

Superstitions in sport may seem trivial, but for athletes they offer comfort, confidence, and a sense of control under pressure. From lucky socks to pre-game rituals, these behaviours act as psychological tools to manage anxiety and sharpen focus. A recent study by Morris et al. (2025) explores why athletes adopt such rituals and their impact on performance.

Why This Matters

Superstitious rituals are often dismissed as “irrational.” Yet, research shows they can have real psychological benefits. Athletes use them to calm nerves, reduce pressure, and feel more prepared when outcomes are uncertain. In short, while they might not directly influence the scoreboard, they can influence the mindset that does.

How the Research Was Done

Morris et al. (2025) conducted 16 individual interviews and 5 focus groups with 30 athletes from a range of sports – team and individual, contact and non-contact, amateur to elite. Using reflexive thematic analysis, they uncovered three central themes:

1. Identifying Superstitions and Their Uses

2. The Lifecycle of Superstitious Rituals

3. Sporting Classifications and the Influence of Competitive Prestige

This qualitative approach provided rich insights into the lived experiences of athletes and their rituals.

What Drives Superstitions?

The research identified several key functions of superstitions:

• Confidence and Control: Athletes described rituals as giving them peace of mind and a greater sense of control in unpredictable environments. For example, one tennis player always ate porridge with tea on match day to “feel more in control” .

• Stress and Anxiety Reduction: Rituals helped athletes shift responsibility away from themselves. One rugby player explained how wearing lucky underwear “took the weight off my shoulders” before a game. This reduced pressure can prevent performance anxiety from spiraling .

• Placebo Effect: Even when athletes admitted their rituals had no real impact, they still reported feeling more prepared. This aligns with research showing that rituals act as a psychological placebo – boosting self-efficacy and persistence simply because the athlete believes in them.

The Lifecycle of Rituals

Rituals often begin by chance. A good performance after wearing a certain jersey or listening to a playlist may cement the behaviour as a “must-do” pre-game routine. Psychologists call this operant conditioning: the accidental linking of actions to outcomes.

• Reinforcement keeps them alive: If the ritual coincides with good performance, it is repeated.

• Fear of bad luck sustains them: Some rituals persist because athletes worry about tempting fate if they stop.

• But not all last: When a ritual stops “working,” some athletes discard it – though others maintain it out of habit or sentimental meaning (e.g., wearing a parent’s old jersey number).

Strategies & Action Planning

What Athletes and Coaches Can Learn

Superstitions may not be magic, but they play a powerful psychological role:

• Harness the benefits: Recognise that rituals can enhance confidence, focus, and emotional control.

• Avoid dependency: Athletes should ensure rituals don’t become barriers (e.g., panicking if they can’t be performed).

• Support, don’t disrupt: Coaches should allow athletes to keep harmless rituals, as disrupting them could raise anxiety.

Reflections

Take a moment to consider:

• What rituals do you rely on before competition?

• Do they boost your confidence—or have they become something you “can’t function without”?

• How can you use rituals as tools, without letting them control you?

References

Morris, B., Thornton, C., Neave, N., & Allen, G. (2025). Understanding the use of superstitious rituals in sports people. Journal of Sports Sciences, 43(18), 2046–2057. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2025.2532994

About the Contributor: Audric S. H. Chia

As a dedicated athlete in baseball, softball, and floorball, Audric is passionate about applying psychological insights to enhance both individual resilience and team dynamics. His interest lies in understanding how psychological principles can improve mental well-being and performance, especially in high-pressure environments like competitive sports. Through ongoing volunteering and peer support roles, he have gained valuable experience working closely with individuals facing emotional and behavioral challenges, deepening his understanding of the practical applications of psychology.

Disclaimer

The summaries and discussions presented here are based on published research in the field of sport, exercise, and performance psychology. They are intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice, diagnosis, or prescribed treatment.

Always seek the advice of your doctor, mental health professional, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or mental health concerns. This includes inquiries about changes to your existing routine or the implementation of any strategies mentioned that might have significant implications on your health.

Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here.