Whether bizarre or just routine, superstitions play an important role in sports.

For players like senior Massiel Collado, it’s just as important as playing the games.

Religiously, Collado kneels before every game in the middle of the soccer field and thanks God for the ability to play.

“I feel like if I thank God before, he will continue to guide me in my next game,” said Collado.

On the softball field, Collado jumps three times before the opening pitch.

“It’s actually pretty funny how it started,” said Collado. “One day, as Ashley [Perez] was pitching, a pitch went way up that I had to jump to get. I told her I would jump for every ball if that was what she needed for me to do. So now I jump before the opening pitch to remind her to keep her ball down.”

Superstitions are also shown on the baseball field.

“Before I go up to bat, I don’t look at the back of the baseball helmets because I feel like I’ll get an out if I do,” senior catcher Cameron Webman said.

Coaches, as well as players, practice these superstitions.

Football head coach Rick DiVita tries to wear the same gray sweat shorts every game.

“It seems like I win more when I wear them; they’re really comfortable, too,” said Divita.

Volleyball coach Caron Schiffman also has her superstitions, too.

“I always have to have the game’s paperwork done the night before; if not, I’m lost,” she said.

There are some odd superstitions as well.

“I have to wash my hands before every game,” senior volleyball player Crystal Williams said.

Superstitions can also extend to the martial arts, as is the case for senior Kevin Vaks.

“I drink a milk concoction and oil my body before matches,” Vaks said. “It gives me an advantage on my opponents.”