Sports Superstitions

We've all heard of superstitions, things we believe may bring good or bad luck. For example, Friday the 13th is supposed to be an unlucky day. Athletes have their own superstitions. For instance, many athletes do not want to wear the number 13. Is it a belief in sports lore that affected them? Here are some other ways that athletes try to avoid bad luck and bring good luck.


Baseball

Some people believe that:

  • Spitting into your hand before picking up the bat is said to bring good luck.
  • A wad of gum stuck on a player's hat brings good luck.
  • It's bad luck if a dog walks across the diamond before the first pitch.
  • It is good luck to step on one of the bases before running off the field at the end of an inning.
  • Lending a bat to a fellow player is a serious jinx.

Basketball

Some people believe that:

  • The last person to shoot a basket during the warm-up will have a good game.
  • Wiping the soles of your sneakers brings good luck.
  • Bouncing the ball before taking a foul shot brings good luck.

Bowling

Some people believe that:

  • The number 300, a perfect score, on your license plate will increase your score.
  • Carrying charms in your bowling bag, in your pockets, or around your neck brings good luck.
  • A bowler should wear the same clothes to continue a winning streak.

Fishing

Some people believe that:

  • Fish may not bite if a barefoot woman passes you on the way to the dock.
  • Spitting on your bait before casting your rod makes fish bite.
  • Throwing back your first catch brings good luck.
  • It's bad luck to change rods while fishing.
  • You shouldn't tell anyone how many fish you've caught until you're done, or you won't catch another.

Football

Some people believe that:

  • Double numbers on a uniform bring good luck.
  • It's bad luck for a professional football player to take a new number when traded to another team.
  • A mascot is an important good-luck symbol.

Golf

Some people believe that:

  • You should only start with odd-numbered clubs.
  • Balls with a number higher than 4 are bad luck.
  • Carrying coins in your pockets brings good luck.

Ice Hockey

Some people believe that:

  • It's bad luck for hockey sticks to lie crossed.
  • It's bad luck to say shutout in the locker room before a game.
  • Players will win a game if they tap the goalie on the shin pads before a game.

Tennis

Some people believe that:

  • It's bad luck to hold more than two balls at a time when serving.
  • You should avoid wearing the color yellow.
  • For good luck, you should walk around the outside of the court when switching sides.
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