Pre-game rituals

(...) To get us going right away this week, we'll meet together as soon as we get the field and run a quick team warm-up, followed by the Seattle drill. We're playing a tough team this week; for the sake of your teammates, figure out what YOU need to do to get ready to play. 

–  email from my IAD captain, prior to last week's game.

Reading it got me thinking  – what exactly do I do to get ready for a game? The following applies to IAD, but it's pretty much the same routine for Friday games.

2 days prior to game time

Start thinking about the game. Look up opponents in LeagueRunner, to get a feel of how we might match up, how the game will/could go. Size up my personal match-ups, think of how to best cover/defend or play offense against those particular players.

1 day prior to game time

Take it easy. Good solid dinner, rest, review team plays and specific instructions from captain regarding the upcoming game.

Game day

Somehow, i'll start getting those telltale pre-game butterflies at some point in the morning!

At home between work and game (when possible)

Eat a proven pre-game meal, chill, review team plays one more time. Pack field bag (cleats, knee brace, Nalgene, shorts, socks, black jersey, white jersey, wristband, athletic tape, gloves, cap – not necessarily in that order. This might be surprising, but no, i don't usually take a disc to games. 55 brings the cones on Fridays.) 

Walk to Dome

Ah, now the game's truly near (unless i'm leaving early to go watch 25 play). Ideally, i leave 40 minutes before game time (this allows for the 15 min walk to the Dome, a few minutes of social time, getting cleated up), with tunes on! iPod tuned to preselected upbeat "pump up" tracks. Current favorites: Lil' Wayne's "Let it rock" and Pink's "It's all your fault". Yes, i am guilty of sometimes breaking into dance while waiting for the light to change at an intersection!

At the Dome

Cleat up, warm up. Run a lap or two to more music. Last year's best track for that was Dizzy DJs smashing remix of "Amazed", as the beat matched my running stride really well. I haven't found a '08-09' track yet. 

And the game starts... time for full focus. Nothing else matters at this point in time than that little piece of white plastic we all want :) On a side note, last week, i had Hillsong's "Let creation sing" stuck in my head all game - and repeating the chorus in my mind while getting on the field helped empty my mind and fully focus on the game (as i find that song quite uplifting). Weird?

Post game

Stretch. Slag. Review the good and bad. Home. Shower. Bed. Zzzzzzz.... and can't wait to do it all over again.