Runners experience a high when they get in a rhythm; one foot after another, arms pumping in sync. For some players this rhythm follows the beat of the last song they were listening to. Whether it’s techno, rap, or hardcore metal, it seems as though a player’s energy is directly related to the last song they were jamming out to in the locker room.
Take a stroll past the baseball and football locker room on game day, the bass pounding through the speakers is palpable, even outside. Miles away stepping on to the field, the music runs through every vein in the players body. The rush is almost undeniable in any sport.
In soccer, this high-energy adrenaline rush is key in positions like forward and midfield, and sometimes can be beneficial to all players getting mentally prepared.
This pattern is evident in Bellarmine Junior, Mario Pacheco, a member of the Junior Sharks ice hockey team explained.
“Forwards listen to pump up music so that they can expend their energy in quick bursts, sometimes as a defender I also listen to this type of music because we still need that kind of explosiveness,” Pacheco said.
Contrary to many beliefs, music isn’t only used to pump up and build high energy stepping on to the field. In positions that require ample focus rather than high energy, like goalkeeper, music is also important.
However not limited to positions like a keeper, some players use it to readjust their focus before a big game, or use it before every game to hone in on their responsibilities on the field. Many times this player will opt for a softer tune to keep them focused and relaxed.
“Our starting keeper listens to steady music while he visualizes himself making the crucial saves in the game, the slow beat steadies his nerves and allows him to readjust his focus,” Pacheco said.
Players in every sport fall under two categories: the high energy, bouncing of the wall player, or the focused on the surface, down to business player. Patterns usually show that the pumped up player relies on speed, agility, and pure athleticism. As opposed to the more serious player, usually trying to use their technical and tactical advantages on the playing pitch. No one can say which player is more effective on the field.
It appears as though the serious player is more focused and ready to play, but this doesn’t mean the player isn’t pumped up. On the other hand, being excited and pumped up to play doesn’t mean the player is off task and ready to goof around.
Both players may show different characteristics on the surface but many times they share the same qualities when the whistle blows.
