Pregame Rituals – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/10/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 10, 2005
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For some it is music, for others silence. Some have over-the-top superstitions; others prefer a nap. But regardless of the differing methods for game time preparation, the most important outcome is readiness. And like most Buckeye fans know, preparation does not begin one hour before game-time. For most Buckeye players the groundwork begins during the week, as each day builds on another until the first whistle blows on Saturday afternoon. But while some players make a ritualistic event out of these days and hours leading up to game, junior defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock takes a more low key approach in his daily preparation.
“To be honest, during the week I just try to stay hydrated and get a lot of rest,” Pitcock said. “I don’t really do anything special like eating the same meal or wearing a certain outfit. As long as I’m continuing to focus throughout the week, that’s the only thing that matters.”
While the week may be the setting for more covert rituals, Saturday usually provides the right back-drop for the players’ mannerisms to unfold. And for Pitcock, the hours leading up to game-time serves as a time to calm down and really start zeroing in on the assignment at hand. So just what exactly does that Saturday morning look like for the Piqua, Ohio native?
“We wake up early on Saturday, eat and then take the team walk from the hotel to the stadium,” Pitcock said. “Some guys may wear a certain suit or shirt but I’m not too particular. If we’re playing late then we watch some other games, but it’s really a time to start getting focused.”
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“I don’t really do anything special like eating the same meal or wearing a certain outfit. As long as I’m continuing to focus throughout the week, that’s the only thing that matters.” Quinn Pitcock |
Once in the locker room players do their own individual things, from throwing on their headphones, to reflecting silently. But for Pitcock reading does just the trick to ensure a relaxed and focused mind. So what is the choice of selection for the 6-foot-3-inch, 295 pound run-stopper?
“I usually read the football media guide,” Pitcock said. “I just stay quiet and try to start focusing on the game. Reading keeps me occupied and helps me do that.”
But reading isn’t the only thing that Pitcock has tried.
“I’ve tried listening to different kinds of music in the past but it has never worked for me,” Pitcock said. “I found myself more distracted than anything.”
While Pitcock does not consider himself a superstitious guy by nature, this has not always been the case.
“I use to be superstitious,” Pitcock said. “In high school I used to always wear a certain undershirt on game days. But it’s something I’ve tried to get rid of in college because when something bad happens I don’t want to be blaming it on something and thinking about it over and over.”
Despite the stoic nature Pitcock displays in his preparation, once he feels the energy of 105,000 Scarlet and Gray faithful, emotion takes over preparation is complete.
“I really start getting pumped up when we walk out,” Pitcock said. “In the locker room I’m concentrating very hard and thinking about situations and film that I’ve watched. But once we get in the beehive I get right up front and the juices start flowing.”
“But the most important huddle for me is the defensive huddle right before we go out on the field,” Pitcock said. “It allows me to calm down after running out on the field and I really get focused. After that, I know it’s time to get the job done.”
