Detroit's Swin Cash Allen Einstein NBAE/Getty Images

Phoenix's Diana Taurasi David Sherman NBAE/Getty Images

Connecticut's Lindsay Whalen Bill Baptist NBAE/Getty Images

No matter what the sport is, competing at the highest level takes a tremendous amount of physical and mental preparation. But ideal preparation for optimal performance and the development of a personal, effective routine is not something that can just happen overnight.

The often-irregular WNBA schedule, the constant travel and the short season require that these professionals are ready to go when called upon, whether being called in off the bench late in a game or being asked to give it your all late in the second game of back-to-back nights.

By now, after years of experience in high school, college and now the professional level, these finely-tuned machines know exactly how to prepare themselves for the most physical women's basketball competition in the world. Some of the best, fiercest competitors in the game, Detroit Shock forward and Olympic gold medalist Swin Cash, her former UConn and Olympic teammate and 2004 WNBA Rookie of the Year, Mercury guard Diana Taurasi, and last year's fan selection to participate as a WNBA All-Star in The Game at Radio City, Sun guard Lindsay Whalen, share their secrets:

How do you prepare physically before a game?
Swin Cash: "I make sure I get a proper intake of fluids and that I eat nutritiously. It is also important that I am well rested in order to be prepared for the game."
Lindsay Whalen: "I go to bed early the night before. I eat a good meal. Shooting before the game, I do five spot shooting (drills). Five inside the three-point line, five outside the three-point line. Then Coach (Thibault) comes out and puts a hand in my face while I shoot. Then I shoot five free throws, have a glass of water, then warm up more during the 20-minute warmup period."
Diana Taurasi: "Before a game we usually have shoot around, so you go through shoot around, which is usually an hour. Then you get done, usually go back have a pre game meal, nap for an hour and a half, then shower. And then get to the game and have a snack right before the game and then go play."

How do you prepare mentally before a game?
Cash: "I try to relax and sleep. If I'm too uptight then I know I won't play well or my head won't be in the game. I also have to talk to my mom before the game."
Whalen: "Mentally, I listen to music. I just relax, read my scouting reports, check the matchups. I just think about the game and relax."
Taurasi: "I think that starts at shootaround, learning the scouting report and plays and kind of getting into that mind set that you have a game later that day."

Do you have any pre-game rituals?
Cash: "I always have to take a good nap, talk to my mom on the way to the game, and I have to listen to gospel music. Sometimes I'll eat seafood portafino from Olive Garden before a game."
Whalen: "I have to get my left ankle taped before my right ankle. I have a piece of gum that I chew before I go on the court, and then when I warm up I throw it out. Before I come to the team huddle, when the five players huddle, I put my feet on the sticky thing (shoe sole cleaner) and my hands on the sticky thing. Then I clap once. I say a prayer before every game during the national anthem. I ask for no major injuries on either side of the ball."
Taurasi: "No."

What do you think characterizes a great competitor?
Cash: "Someone that can be just an intense when things are going well as when things are going bad. That is really hard to do, and if you can stay up all the time, you are going to be tough to beat."
Whalen: "Someone who never quits on a play. Always willing to do the dirty work for the team. Always comes ready to practice, mentally and physically. And just enjoys the competition and what they do."
Taurasi: "Someone that never gives up. Whether your up 20 or down 20, you always have the same attitude toward your teammates and still have that same attitude to win."