The Baseball gods are Dead: Unshackle Yourself from Superstitions and Build a Performance Routine That Works
- Matt Crawford
- Jul 22
- 6 min read
Routines are all around us. Even if you have never intentionally created a routine, they are still present. If you don’t have a set pre-game, pre-shot, or pre-action routine yet, or you want to build more consistency in your performance, this blog is for you.
Think about your bedtime routine. You likely get into your pajamas the same way, put toothpaste on your brush the same way, brush for about the same time, and follow a predictable timeline until your head hits the pillow. The same goes for how you get into your car, commute home, or take a shower.
Why do we do this? Because as humans, our brains and bodies gravitate toward structure. Repeating a set sequence builds familiarity and comfort.
If you want to test just how routine-oriented you really are, try doing your nighttime routine out of order tonight. Switch the order (shower after you brush your teeth) and notice how strange it feels. If sleep is the ultimate performance, your nighttime sequence is what puts you in the position to succeed.
In sports and high-pressure environments, the exact same principle applies.
Routine vs. Superstition
Athletes often use specific actions to prepare: a hitter taking a deep breath after a pitch to lower their heart rate, a powerlifter blasting music to elevate theirs, or a golfer slipping their scorecard into their back pocket to physically signal that the last hole is behind them.
A good routine keeps you present, locked in, and focused on the immediate task at hand. Helping athletes establish a consistent routine is something we specialize in.
However, there is a dangerous trap many athletes fall into: confusing a routine with a superstition.
Feature | Superstition | Routine |
Focus | External factors and luck | Internal control, focus, motivation/intensity |
Mindset | "I must do (superstition) or else I will fail." | "This helps me get into the right frame of mind." |
Flexibility | Rigid; causes anxiety if interrupted | Adaptable; works even when conditions aren't ideal |
The Baseball gods are Dead
We love to talk about the "baseball gods" or the other "sports gods" rewarding or punishing us based on whether we commit the sins of stepping on the foul line or forgetting our lucky socks. But here is the truth: there is only one true God, and the sports gods that athletes and fans sacrifice to and worship do not exist, they never did.
Relying on superstition is like letting a coin flip determine your performance.
It isn't a strategy built on truth. It’s a mental exit strategy. It gives weak mindsets a place to hide, outsource their success, and blame their failures on anything other than their own preparation.
Superstitions only exist in the mind of an athlete who hasn't built true trust in their own preparation and is not process-oriented. Relying on luck and superstitions is a mental crutch and an excuse; relying on a routine is a mental skill.
Superstitions attempt to outsource control to luck. The basketball player who must bounce the ball four times or the batter who needs their lucky socks aren't building confidence; they’re handing their control over to external variables. The moment those conditions break, anxiety spikes and focus shatters.
As legendary performance consultant Ken Ravizza famously put it:
"Are you that bad of a ballplayer that you need everything to go your way to be successful?"
Superstitious athletes need perfection; routine-oriented athletes are adaptable and can perform under any conditions. A true routine gives you the freedom to devote your full focus to execution and the present moment. At Crawford Performance we help athletes move from superstition to self-belief and confidence.
Finding Your Peak Performance Zone
Before you can build an effective pre-action routine, you need to identify your Individual Zone of Optimal Functioning (IZOF).
Your IZOF is the emotional and mental state required for you to perform at your absolute best. Because performance mindset is completely individual, what works for someone else might backfire for you:
Do you perform your best when you are hyped up and more intense?
Or when you are calm, cool, and relaxed?
Or perhaps a specific blend of both?
There is no "wrong" energy level. The problem arises when you try to force yourself into a mental state that isn't natural to your peak performance. I want to encourage you to make this energy level exploration totally your own. Don't be bound by the traditional perception of your sport. Some of the most intense performers I've worked with are from traditionally "calm" activities like golf and music, while some of the most relaxed are wrestlers and powerlifters.
Think back to your best performances: How were you feeling right before you performed? What was your internal energy? What was different about that performance compared to an average or below-average performance? Identifying that optimal performance state is one of the first things we unpack with athletes at Crawford Performance Consulting—because once you establish where you need to be, your routine becomes the roadmap to get you there consistently.
How to Build a Routine That Holds Up Under Pressure
Creating a functional pre-action routine doesn't require a long, drawn-out process. A golfer may have 30 seconds for a pre-shot routine, while a wrestler or a basketball player may have a split second. Regardless of the pace of your activity, your routine should be focused, intentional, and individualized:
Establish Your Pre-Action Physical Cue
Whether it's a deep breath, a shoulder shrug, eye placement on a specific target, or adjusting your uniform, choose a consistent action that brings you right into the present moment. The more you do this action, the more your brain will respond to it in a natural way.
Establish Your Pre-Action Verbal Cue
Don't underestimate the power of cue words and key phrases. Short, instructional or motivational keywords—like "Smooth," "Attack," "Breathe," or even a simple reminder to "Be a monster," "Bring it on," or even Ted Lasso's "Barbecue Sauce,"—act as mental reset switches for your brain. They cut through noise, block out external distractions, and direct your focus straight to execution.
💡 Pro-Tip: Don't be afraid to say these keywords out loud or under your breath! Sometimes verbalizing a reset phrase helps refocus the mind.
Build a Reset Routine for Adversity
Things will go wrong. Bad calls, errors, trash talk, or anything else that takes you out of your IZOF will happen. The goal isn't to become a robot and feel nothing; it's to have a quick Reset Routine to recenter when you get pulled out of your zone. Feel the feeling and then get back in the fight. This could be a physical release gesture, an extra deep breath, or a focal word.
Build a Reset Routine for Success
Things will go well too! You will hit a big shot, or execute a good pitch in a big moment, or win a big match in a tournament. Again, the goal is not to become a robot who doesn't feel anything. Feel the feeling and then get back to the frame of mind you need to be in to keep performing. Having a quick Reset Routine is useful to remain focused on the next play. This reset routine could potentially be the same for everything that happens throughout competition.
Test It in Practice
Use your training sessions and practices as a laboratory. While you can't replicate high-stakes pressure in practice, you can trigger the physical symptoms of stress, like a spike in heart rate or heavy breathing. Right after a heavy lift or a sprint, test your reset routine to see how smoothly it brings you back into your zone and lowers your heart rate. Remember: establishing a routine takes practice, so give yourself grace as you sharpen this skill!
Own Your Process!
Routines are a skill, and like any skill, establishing them takes intentional practice. Play around with what works, tweak what doesn't, and build a routine that belongs entirely to you.
Ready to Build Your Custom Mental Performance Blueprint?
1. Download the Free Worksheet: Use our Routines & Mental Readiness Worksheet to map out your Individual Zone of Optimal Functioning, establish your pre-action cues, and build a reliable reset routine.
2. Take It a Step Further: Building a routine is one thing; mastering it on gameday is the next step. If you're ready to refine your mental game and develop a tailored mental performance plan, let's talk.
👉 [Schedule Your Free 30-Minute Consultation Today] We’ll review your current pre-game habits and routines, identify your performance triggers, and build a plan of action together to get you performing at your best.
References & Recommended Reading
Morris, B., et al. (2025). Understanding the use of superstitious rituals in sports people. Journal of Sports Sciences.
Orlick, T. (2015). In Pursuit of Excellence (5th ed.).
Woodcock, C., et al. (2012). Working within an Individual Zone of Optimal Functioning (IZOF) framework. Psychology of Sport and Exercise.
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