Over the years, I've traveled with professional football, basketball and baseball teams. My experience in baseball is limited but my travel with the other sports is extensive. One thing that I always had trouble understanding, and still do, is why teams play so much better at home than they do on the road.

If you think about it, the whole thing seems almost counter-intuitive.

Assume, and I think it's a safe assumption, that the ability to focus on the task at hand without distractions is a critical element in athletic performance.

On the road, you don't have to do anything but focus on your game. You travel on charter planes. You don't even have to carry your own suitcase. You stay in elegant hotels. You ride luxury buses to and from games. You get money for meals. There are absolutely no demands on you, other than meetings, practice and games. All sports all the time.

At home, the distractions seem unlimited. First, you've got friends and family and they all want a piece of you. If you have kids, they want to play with daddy. Maybe you have to get your furnace replaced. Maybe you need an oil change. You probably have personal appearances to make, whether it's reading to kids at schools, bringing toys to kids in the hospital or visiting an old folks home to cheer them up. Everybody wants you do something, from getting them tickets to building a Tinker Toy castle.

See what I mean? It seems like it should be easier to play on the road. But it's clearly not. So I got answers from some players and coaches about why this should be.

• Football player -- Your routine is totally screwed up. You have to travel, which means you must get ready to travel, clothes, equipment etc. Some teams have dress codes, and some guys just never feel that comfortable the whole time.
• Basketball coach -- One of the main factors is the energy of the crowd and the familiarity of the surroundings that gives you the advantage at home. You're playing in front of your fans and they can get you through some rough stretches. At home you're used to the baskets, the lighting, the sounds of the arena, where on the road it is generally different.
• Basketball player -- I've always tried to prepare the same for either home or road. There is a comfort level playing in front of your home fans -- they are a sixth man -- and they can help lift you up on a night where you may be struggling -- as a team or an individual.
• Football player -- There are the fans at the hotel who can sometimes be demanding that you just don't have to put up with at home. You don't sleep in your own bed, you have a roommate that you may or may not really like.
• Football player -- Then there is youth. If you are traveling to somewhere you have never been, you try to get around and at least get a feel, if not see some of the sights. Again, that takes your mind off of what should only be a business trip.
• Basketball player -- It depends on where you are playing and the opponent. Some teams you're just more comfortable playing against, be it at home or on the road. Your fans can also make a difference. We have very good, fair fans in Milwaukee which makes it easier to play here, but there have been times over my career where you can have a home crowd that can make you want to play on the road.
• Football player -- You always have a schedule, that is always a written schedule, but one to which changes from time to time, so there is worry that you might not make a meeting or be where you should be on time, then you have to figure out a good place to eat on your own, but have to be back by a certain time, have scheduled meetings, go over game plans, etc.
• Basketball player -- The biggest thing when playing is trying to adjust to your surroundings. At home you have a comfort level with the arena, the fans, the game ball you use, the baskets ... On the road virtually all arenas are different -- the only thing the same is the height of the rims (most times). The rims can be tighter, the game balls can feel different -- at home there is more of a constant.
• Football player -- Then there is the whole misconception that the home team is somewhat favored because all the fans are there for them, blah, blah, blah ... it really comes down at all times to who has the best schemes with the best talent and coaching. Do I ride the bus over to the stadium and hurry to get ready, do I get taped at the hotel and avoid the rush, or do I jump in a cab and get to the stadium early to get taped and walk around at my leisure? I always opted for the latter. Then when fans are yelling at you about your mother or sister, do you respond?

I understand what these guys are saying. But when you are on the road and you've got someone to do everything for you, it just seems like life is simpler.