Professional athletes in every walk of life spend hours and hours trying to hone their training techniques and methods in order to give themselves the optimum chance of delivering success when they take to the field or step up to the oche.

Their matchday preparation is particularly important, as being in the zone can be the difference between crumbling under the pressure of thousands of spectators or going on that mazy run through the opposition’s defence that leaves fans on their feet amazed at what they have just witnessed and with a story to tell their Grandchildren for years to come.

It is a case beyond sheer athleticism, as having the monkey on your back will drag you down into the depths of despair, and whatever you try with the ball at your feet or cue in hand will not break your way.

Preparing to deliver the results you know you are capable of often starts days before the event, and incorporates various aspects such as nutrition, hydration, and physical preparation – and Betway have recently put together an interesting graphic about the effects of pre-game routines having spoken in depth with sports psychologist Dan Abrahams.

Wayne Rooney once said during his return to Everton from Manchester United that he would employ visualisation techniques the day before a game, as he searched for that one per cent extra from within himself.

“I always like to picture the game the night before: I’ll ask the kit man what kit we’re wearing, so I can visualise it. It’s something I’ve always done, from when I was a young boy,” he said. “It helps to train your mind to situations that might happen the following day.

“I think about it as I’m lying in bed. What will I do if the ball gets crossed in the box this way? What movement will I have to make to get on the end of it? Just different things that might make you one per cent sharper.”

Cristiano Ronaldo is another who puts mental strength at the top of his attribute list, as a match-winning mindset is just as important as physical strength to the Juventus attacker.

“I set goals to train my mind as well as my body,” the Portuguese said ahead of last summer’s World Cup. “Mental strength is just as important as physical strength, and it helps me to achieve more on and off the pitch.

“I always make sure I have good music to listen to – it helps me get motivated and do my best. I like to listen to hip-hop and reggae.”

While some turn to music, others prefer to have a set routine in the hours before kick-off, where they go through their strict order of events so that they feel everything is in its place and how it should be.

DC United’s Rooney has never been a fan of that himself, but still has his own ways of dealing with the anticipation of getting down to business.

“Some players always do the same thing in the dressing room, while some like to do different things,” the former England international added. “I tend to go on the [exercise] bike for about 15-minutes, then I do some stretching, then relax. You see some players do exactly the same thing every week before every game, but I’m not like that. I’m not superstitious. I just try to stay focused and concentrate. I’m quite relaxed in the dressing room.

“I’ll have an energy drink in the dressing room 40-minutes before kick-off and then go out for the warm-up, which lasts about half an hour. About 10-minutes before the game starts, you’re back in the dressing room, you put your shirt on, shin pads on, and then go and kick-off.

“That hour’s all right, but the hour before that is worse, where you’re sitting round bored and you want the game to start. I just try and stay as relaxed as possible by doing something to take my mind off the game, like play a computer game – whatever works for you.”