Pre-match rituals/ music?

[Mickman]

Always used to have a favourite CD/ song list I used to have playing in the car on the way to the ground when I used to play (turned up nice and loud).

Just wondering if anyone has a similar pre-match ritual? Have they changed from playing to refereeing days?

While I was in London, pre-game ritual was Saturday breakfast at favourite cafe. Not so much since I have returned home.

There is a club in our local competition that always has loud music (often country/rock) playing in their change rooms as they gear-up. This would drive me crazy week in, week out.

 

[Iron_Lung]

Lots of clubs around here use music in the change rooms prior to the games. Usually it involves some pretty hard rock, hip hop or something equally appropriate for increasing the adrenaline levels for the team in question. Personally if I had to listen to songs about my wife leaving me and my dog dying I'd be ready to do myself in :biggrin: (tvic)

As for me, the music I listen to depends on what I need to get ready. If I'm in need of clarity and focus it usually is something to pick me up, if I'm nervous it's something to calm me down. Always have a pre game warm up to lead me into the first whistle though, starting about 15 minutes out, adjusted for game...

 

[Adam]

I listen to The Bugle on the way to my matches. It comes out late on Friday evening so is ideal for Saturday matches. It's available on iTunes or here.

 

[Toby Warren]

Friday night comedy from radio 4 (prefer the news quiz but now show is ok as well)

 

[Mickman]

Thinking this could be a good one to have handy BUT maybe post-match on those bad days

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JK7D9pliMY&feature=related

 

[didds]

Friday night comedy from radio 4 (prefer the news quiz but now show is ok as well)

agreed... tho the Now Show can be a bit hit and miss at times.

last week's was pretty good

didds

 

[Phil E]

I listen to The Bugle on the way to my matches.

Last Post or Reveille?

 

[Bryan]

I'll rock out during the warm-up with some of my faviourite tunes, but really when it's 15mins to kick-off, my warmup's over, To3 talks, team talks, and the coin toss are all well past, at this point I dont like a lot of distractions. I typically review the action plan again, go through the pre-match "mental pictures", and then do a lot of visualization. There can be a lot of hurry-up-n-wait and you're at the mercy of the runsheet (esp. with anthems!) so there's not much to do but relax or you'll get yourself wound up.


That being said, if I ever get to referee a night game, I'm rockin this out before going on the pitch (note, may cause seizures. I'm not kidding).

 

[ExHookah]

I used to get pumped up listening to Metallica, but found that it put me into games much to tense and wound up. So now I make a point of going in to matches very relaxed.

 

[ddjamo]

I'll rock out during the warm-up with some of my faviourite tunes, but really when it's 15mins to kick-off, my warmup's over, To3 talks, team talks, and the coin toss are all well past, at this point I dont like a lot of distractions. I typically review the action plan again, go through the pre-match "mental pictures", and then do a lot of visualization. There can be a lot of hurry-up-n-wait and you're at the mercy of the runsheet (esp. with anthems!) so there's not much to do but relax or you'll get yourself wound up.


That being said, if I ever get to referee a night game, I'm rockin this out before going on the pitch (note, may cause seizures. I'm not kidding).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IiIHzfXEiA

 

[Phil E]

This gets me going http://youtu.be/taKWeKzAni4 :wink:

 

[Ciaran Trainor]

Tony Black burn on radio 2 Pick of the pops plus of course the Traffic Guide on the radio.!!!
My Clubs first team have taken to playing loud music pre match but it does make them look *rses when they get beat

 

[The umpire]

The Beautiful South, "Don't marry her........." The version you won't hear on the radio - always makes me smile.:biggrin:

 

[TheBFG]

Anything upbeat by Muse especially the HARRP cd! Love live music.

 

[ckuxmann]

Something nice and calm.

 

[Robert Burns]

Depends if I need chilled or picked up to get in the mood.

If I need chilled - Shine on you crazy diamond by Pink Floyd will do that well (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLKiMbC6s2k)

If I need picked up, then I'm with Muse as well, I love the resistance, especially the start where the piano kicks in.

 

[DrSTU]

Need to go up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VX9szPDN7Bg

Need to go down:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ms7hd4e_EFg

 

[Drift]

I wasn't a big fan of music until this year, I have a "rugby mix" on my iPhone which I will rock out to before a game and whilst I am getting changed. It's a bit odd but it's the following:
Opposite of Adults - Chiddy Bang http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McRgkE_vgjU
I Wish - SkeeLo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zyf0YwUJcqk
Pursuit of Happiness - Kid Cudi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zyf0YwUJcqk
Hello - Martin Solveig http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kK42LZqO0wA
The Time (Dirty Bit) Black Eyed Peas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwQZQygg3Lk
I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman - K-Os http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyo_VAz847g
Enter the Ninja - Die Antwoord http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc3f4xU_FfQ

It's odd as most of this music is not the normal stuff I listen to in the car or at home, just seems to work for rugby.

 

[Chickref]

30 Seconds to Mars and any other crappy alt-rock I can get my hands on.

 

[TigerCraig]

Nothing before refereeing, but before playing it was always belting the stuffing out of a tackle pad and a huge sniff or two of Dencorub.

"I love the smell of Dencorub in the morning" (cue "Ride of the Valkyries")