Taking part in a college game day in the South is no mere football afternoon, but a whole cultural occasion full of tailgating extravaganzas, passionate fandoms, spirited game day style, and more traditions than you could fathom. But that all just makes it even more fun.

Whether you’re embarking on your first college game day in the South on a campus, tagging along to a friend’s Southern alma mater tailgate, or simply readying for another season as a devoted fan, here’s our beginner’s guide (or cheat sheet) with the basics to know before a college game day in the South. 

Pre-Game Day Tips

Know the Color Code 

Beyond showing up in appropriately hued outfits in the school colors, sometimes a team and fandom will be doing themed game day attire, often selecting just one color of theirs—whether red, white, black, etcetera—for everyone to wear in the stands. Even if you’re merely going to the tailgate section, it’s best to arrive in the proper shade. 

Get Familiar With the Traditions

Each college has its own set of game day traditions and superstitions—including cowbell-ringing in the Mississippi State stadium, the Dawg Walk at University of Georgia, the “Rammer Jammer” cheer at University of Alabama (only sung in honor of a victory), amongst many others at the many Southern colleges—so make sure you’re aware of and abiding by these quirks as they occur throughout the day and game play. It helps to ask whatever alumni or fans you know beforehand, so you can really feel like you’re part of the fandom. 

Be Ready for a Long Day

You might think that game day is a quick stop at a tailgate, then just an hour or so in the stadium—after all, it’s just four 15-minute quarters, right?—but that is really not how a college game day in the South goes. Be prepared for a few hours of tailgating and wandering around, before settling into a multi-hour game that sometimes even drags into overtime. 

Tailgate Etiquette

Ask to Bring Something

Often a tailgate will be a potluck, though a newbie might not know to ask. You might be asked to bring food, drinks, ice, or spare items like a cooler or folding sports chair if more are needed. Sometimes, the host merely asks for you to bring the fun and spirit. Either way, offering is just good manners.

Expect to Mingle With Strangers

It’s not uncommon for folks to see friendly strangers, whether some wandering students or spirited alumni, and invite them over to their tailgate for some refreshments and pre-game discussion of what players are starting, who’s predicted to win, and other important debates. Everyone’s welcome, as long as they’re on the same side of rivalry.

Stadium Basics to Know

Fight Chants Are Repeated Often and Loudly

For someone who isn’t as invested in the game, hearing (or saying) the same chant over and over again for four quarters might seem repetitive, but it’s a core part of the fan experience. It’s the way that fans in the stadium show support for the players on the field, so best to join right in. 

Watch the Student Section

It’s the most lively part of the whole stadium; and it’ll be leading the chants, booing the loudest, and showing up in the most spirited gear (body paint and all), especially the clubs and groups that score the front rows each weekend. 

Understand the Lingo

While you don’t need to know all the rules to enjoy a game day in the South, it certainly helps in the stadium to understand why people are cheering, booing, or on the edge of their seats. Learn the basics of touchdowns, offsides, and the rare two-point conversions to start. (And when in doubt, yell “run the dang ball!” and you’ll likely get an approving nod from a nearby stranger who agrees. Just make sure it’s “your” team with the ball.)

Read the original article on Southern Living