In the competitive world of esports, success isn’t just about mechanical skill or sharp reflexes. Behind every professional player’s performance lies a unique mental and emotional preparation routine. Just as traditional athletes have pre-game rituals to get into the right mindset, esports pros follow their own carefully crafted habits before stepping onto the digital battlefield. These rituals—ranging from simple breathing exercises to full team chants—help them focus, calm their nerves, and build confidence before the match begins.
This blog explores the best pre-match rituals followed by professional esports players across different titles, examining how these habits impact performance, foster team unity, and enhance mental resilience.
The Importance of Pre-Match Rituals in Esports
Competitive gaming is as much a mental challenge as it is a physical one. In high-stakes tournaments, even the smallest lapse in concentration can determine the outcome of an entire series. Pre-match rituals serve as psychological anchors—helping pros transition from practice mode to competition mode.
These rituals create consistency amid chaos. Whether it’s performing a set of stretches, listening to a favorite song, or meditating before the match, these actions help players ground themselves. They signal to the brain that it’s time to perform.
Moreover, rituals help reduce anxiety and build confidence. In environments filled with noise, pressure, and millions of viewers, maintaining focus is essential. By sticking to familiar routines, players control what they can—setting the tone for a composed and confident mindset.
Music: The Universal Esports Warm-Up
Music is one of the most common and powerful pre-match rituals among esports professionals. Many players create personal playlists to boost energy, clear their minds, or get emotionally ready for competition.
In Counter-Strike 2, players like Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev have spoken about using music to calm their nerves and focus. In League of Legends, pros often wear headsets not only for communication but also to listen to tracks that help them block out distractions.
Some prefer high-energy music to pump themselves up, while others listen to softer, lo-fi beats to relax. Music sets the emotional tempo, helping pros enter a “flow state” where they can perform instinctively and confidently.
Physical Preparation: Stretching and Hand Warm-Ups
Professional gaming may not involve running or jumping, but it demands precision, endurance, and speed. For that reason, many pros include physical warm-ups as part of their pre-match rituals.
Players in Valorant, CS2, and Overwatch often perform wrist stretches and finger exercises before a match to prevent strain and maintain dexterity. Some use hand warmers to keep their muscles loose, especially in colder environments where stiffness can affect reaction time.
These small actions also serve as psychological triggers—signals that it’s time to get serious. The rhythmic nature of these stretches helps players establish a calm focus while preparing their bodies for intense gameplay.
Mental Focus: Visualization and Meditation
Mental clarity is a major factor in esports performance. Many top players and teams use visualization and meditation techniques before matches.
Visualization involves mentally rehearsing gameplay scenarios, from early-round strategies to clutch situations. By picturing themselves succeeding in these moments, players build confidence and readiness.
Teams like Team Liquid and Fnatic have discussed using mindfulness practices to improve mental endurance. Meditation helps slow racing thoughts, reduce stress, and enhance focus. Even a few minutes of deep breathing can center the mind and sharpen decision-making during high-pressure moments.
In high-stakes environments like The International or Worlds, this mental stability can mean the difference between a calm, calculated win and a chaotic defeat.
Team Huddles and Motivational Chants
Nothing unites a team like a pre-match huddle. Many professional esports teams gather moments before a match for a group chant or short motivational talk. These rituals strengthen team cohesion and remind players that they’re fighting together, not alone.
In Overwatch League, teams like Seoul Dynasty and Dallas Fuel often start matches with energetic chants, shouting their team slogans to ignite energy and focus. League of Legends teams, including T1 and G2 Esports, are also known for their trademark pre-game huddles, led by captains or coaches who deliver final motivational words.
These moments build emotional connection and confidence. When players shout in unison or perform synchronized gestures, they create a shared mindset—a feeling of collective strength that translates into better in-game coordination.
Rituals Around Equipment Setup
Professional players are known for their precision, and that extends beyond gameplay to their setup. Many pros have specific ways of arranging their equipment before every match.
For example, in Counter-Strike 2, some players spend several minutes adjusting their keyboard angles, mouse sensitivity, and monitor distance until everything feels perfect. Even slight deviations can affect performance, so this ritual is both practical and psychological—it helps them feel in control.
In Valorant and Rainbow Six Siege, players often have designated routines for calibrating their crosshairs, running test flicks, and ensuring sound settings are ideal. These repetitive actions build comfort and familiarity, allowing players to focus entirely on the game once the match starts.
Superstitions and Lucky Charms
Like traditional athletes, esports pros can be superstitious. Many have lucky items or routines they never skip before a match.
Some players wear the same jersey or wristband throughout a tournament, believing it brings good luck. Others have small personal items—like a charm, bracelet, or pendant—that they keep nearby during play.
For instance, Dota 2 and CS2 players are known for small rituals like tapping their keyboard three times or fist-bumping teammates in a specific order before a match begins. While these actions may seem trivial, they offer emotional comfort and consistency, especially during high-stress situations.
Pre-Match Banter and Humor
Not all pre-match rituals are serious. In fact, laughter and lighthearted conversation are essential for easing tension. Many teams incorporate jokes, memes, or playful banter before matches to keep the mood relaxed.
In League of Legends, some teams use humor to loosen up before big games. The LEC’s G2 Esports, for example, is famous for keeping the mood playful even before high-stakes matches. Their ability to balance focus with fun often translates into confidence and composure during gameplay.
Laughter helps release endorphins and lowers stress levels. When players go into a match feeling happy and connected, they tend to perform better and recover faster from mistakes.
Nutrition and Hydration Rituals
Another important part of pre-match preparation is nutrition. Many pros have specific eating or drinking routines that help them feel energized and focused.
Energy management is crucial in tournaments that can last for hours. Players often drink water or electrolyte beverages to stay hydrated and maintain cognitive performance. Some opt for small snacks like fruits, nuts, or protein bars to keep their energy levels stable without feeling sluggish.
While energy drinks are popular in gaming culture, professional players are increasingly prioritizing balanced hydration and nutrition to sustain performance throughout long matches.
The Role of Coaches and Sports Psychologists
Behind many pre-match rituals are the coaches and mental performance experts who guide players through structured routines. Sports psychologists in esports design mental warm-up exercises similar to those used in physical sports, helping players regulate emotions and maintain focus.
Teams like Cloud9 and Fnatic have incorporated mental coaches to develop pre-game checklists and emotional regulation techniques. These professionals help ensure that players not only prepare mechanically but also emotionally for the intensity of competition.
Such support structures reinforce consistency and resilience, teaching players how to stay calm under pressure and recover quickly from setbacks.
Cultural Differences in Pre-Match Rituals
Esports is a global phenomenon, and pre-match rituals often reflect cultural influences.
In South Korea, where gaming is deeply respected, teams like T1 and Gen.G emphasize discipline and mindfulness. Their rituals often include quiet meditation and focused team talks before matches.
In Western teams, pre-match energy tends to be louder and more expressive, with chants, jokes, and animated discussions to boost adrenaline. Meanwhile, in regions like China, rituals often emphasize respect and team unity—players may bow or offer gestures of appreciation before beginning a match.
These cultural nuances show that while the rituals may differ, the purpose remains universal: to prepare the mind and spirit for competition.
Individual vs. Team Rituals
Some pre-match rituals are deeply personal, while others are shared by the entire team. Individual rituals allow players to maintain their own identity and comfort zone, while team rituals foster unity and shared motivation.
An individual might prefer listening to a specific song or visualizing their performance, while a team might engage in collective breathing exercises or chants. The best organizations recognize the importance of both, allowing flexibility for personal habits while promoting shared routines that strengthen team chemistry.
The Science Behind Rituals and Performance
There’s actual psychology supporting why rituals work. Studies in sports and performance psychology show that pre-game rituals can enhance focus, confidence, and emotional control. Rituals reduce uncertainty by giving the brain a sense of structure and predictability—essential in environments where so much is out of one’s control.
For esports players, where milliseconds and mental clarity matter, these rituals act as powerful psychological tools. They help transition from the chaos of practice and media attention into a state of controlled intensity, ready for peak performance.
The Evolution of Pre-Match Rituals in Esports
As esports has professionalized, so too have its rituals. Early esports scenes were informal—players might simply boot up their PCs and jump straight into matches. Today, top organizations treat pre-match preparation like a science, incorporating physical therapists, nutritionists, and mental performance coaches into their routines.
In the future, as performance tracking and psychology continue to advance, pre-match rituals may become even more data-driven. We could see biometric monitoring tools helping players identify optimal warm-up methods based on their physical and emotional states before each match.
Conclusion
Pre-match rituals are the heartbeat of esports preparation. They reflect the personal habits, team culture, and mental strength that define the world’s best players. From listening to music and stretching to visualization and team chants, these routines are more than superstition—they are the foundation of focus, consistency, and confidence.
Whether it’s a quiet moment of meditation, a burst of laughter before the match, or a coordinated team chant echoing backstage, every ritual tells a story of discipline and passion. The best pros in esports don’t just rely on talent; they prepare their minds and bodies for the battle ahead.
In the end, these rituals remind us that behind every digital victory lies something profoundly human—a routine built on trust, emotion, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
