Beyond individual and collective training sessions, an athlete’s form, class, and level of alertness, pre-game rituals, professionally called pre-performance routines (PPRs) play a crucial role in achieving peak performance for most athletes.  These routines — often unique and personal — are mental anchors athletes rely on for optimal delivery before entering the court, ring, field, or wherever their performance unfolds.

For some, a PPR might be as simple as self-talk, motivational affirmations, wearing specific outfits, or listening to a carefully curated playlist. Others adopt more complex routines like elastic band resistance exercises.

Regardless of complexity, the goal remains the same: to prepare an athlete to perform at their best. In fact, a study by Peter Gröpel, a sports psychologist from the University of Vienna, and his colleagues, analysed data from over 800 athletes across 15 sports and found that those who employed PPRs significantly outperformed those who didn’t.

Among Black athletes, rituals and pre-performance routines are also widespread. In this article, Bounce Sports explores five  PPRs linked to some of the biggest Black athletes in history.

Kolo Touré: The Last Man Standing

Ivorian football legend Kolo Touré had an unusual habit of being the last man to leave the dugout when his team was heading onto the field during his active years. So devoted was Touré to this ritual that, during a UEFA Champions League match while playing for Arsenal, he delayed his re-entry for the second half to end up being booked.

Touré had an illustrious career, spanning clubs like Arsenal, Manchester City, and Liverpool. He was instrumental in Arsenal’s Invincibles squad that went undefeated throughout the 2003-04 Premier League season. To this day, Touré holds the record as the African player with the most Premier League appearances (353) and is one of only ten players to have won the Premier League title with different teams.

LeBron James’ Chalk Toss

LeBron James’ powder toss is one of the most iconic rituals in sports history. While it’s customary for many NBA players to use chalk for better grip, LeBron transformed the act into a signature performance. Before each game, he walks over to the sideline, dips his hands into a bowl of chalk, and throws a cloud of powder into the air, clapping his hands theatrically afterwards.

Since debuting this ritual during his rookie season with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003, the powder toss has grown in significance, becoming a symbol of LeBron’s greatness. As his career draws to a close, James remains one of the greatest players — if not the greatest in NBA history.

Serena Williams and her Lucky Socks

Serena Williams’ pre-performance routine (PPR) is rooted in a superstition that has become inseparable from her legacy as one of tennis’s greatest. Once a tournament gets underway, Serena sticks to the same pair of socks, believing they bring good fortune.

Throughout her decorated career, Serena has relied on rituals like this to stay focused, maintain confidence, and navigate the relentless pressure of elite competition. With 23 Grand Slam singles titles — the most in the Open Era — Serena’s ritual underscores the mental preparation that contributes to her success.

Michael Jordan and North Carolina Shorts

Basketball legend Michael Jordan had a unique pre-game ritual that became part of his legacy. Throughout his professional career, Jordan always wore his University of North Carolina (UNC) shorts under his Chicago Bulls uniform as a good luck charm.

Jordan’s superstition was just one of many mental practices that helped him stay focused during his illustrious career. With six NBA championships, five MVP awards, and countless other achievements, Jordan’s routine — quirky as it may seem — helped him maintain the mental edge needed to become one of the greatest athletes of all time.

Jayson Tatum’s Ear Tug

Jayson Tatum, an NBA star with the Boston Celtics, has a pre-game ritual that tugs at the heartstrings. Before every game, Tatum pulls on his left ear — a small but meaningful gesture dedicated to his grandmother. This simple act, according to the 26-year-old,  serves as a reminder to give his all on the court.

“Before every game, I look up into the stands and I find my grandma,” Tatum told USA TODAY as a high schooler in 2014. “We know to look for each other before the game. When we make eye contact, I tug on my ear and she’ll do the same. It’s basically something to let each other know it’s time to go out there and give it my all.”