5 Habits to Boost Your Game Day Performance

If you want to dominate on game day, it’s not just about talent. It's about the little things you do every single day. Here are five small habits that can instantly level up your performance — and a few real-world examples to bring them to life.

-Own Your Pre-Game Routine: You should walk into every game feeling locked in — not scrambling around stressed out. Having a set routine helps you stay calm and focused.

• Example:
  Before every match, Mia puts on the same playlist, juggles the ball for 5 minutes, and does two short sprints. It's her way of telling her brain: It’s go time.

• Tip: Create your own simple 10-minute routine — and stick to it before every game.

-Fuel Your Body Right What you eat and drink is just as important as your warmup. Energy comes from preparation, not last-minute fixes.

• Example:
  The night before his games, Marcus skips the fast food and eats grilled chicken, rice, and veggies. On game day, he sips water all morning and has a banana an hour before kickoff. No cramping. No sluggishness. Just locked-in focus.

• Tip: Fuel your body like you fuel your goals.

-Visualize Success: Your mind can rehearse success before you even step on the field. Visualization builds real confidence.

• Example:
  Ella spends 5 minutes lying in bed the night before a game, visualizing herself beating defenders and scoring. She’s seen it happen in her mind so many times, it feels natural during the real thing.

• Tip: Picture yourself winning the moment before you live it.

-Get Quality Sleep: You can’t run on empty and expect to perform at your best. Sleep is where recovery — and real gains — happen.

• Example:
  Jake used to stay up late gaming before matches. Then he started powering down his phone at 9:30pm and getting a full 8 hours. He noticed he sprinted faster, made better decisions, and felt lighter on his feet.

• Tip: Treat sleep like part of your training — because it is.

-Focus on What You Can Control: You can't control refs, weather, opponents, or bad bounces. But you can control your effort, attitude, and communication.

• Example:
  Before each game, Sofia writes "E.A.C." (Effort, Attitude, Communication) on her wristband. No matter what happens during the match, she refocuses on those three things.

• Tip: Anchor yourself to effort — not the scoreboard.

Final Whistle

Great players don’t just show up on game day and hope for the best. They build their confidence and performance one small habit at a time. Start with these five, and you’ll feel the difference — not just on the pitch, but in every part of your journey.