The Art of the Perfect High-Five: A Sports Fan's Guide

When a perfect high-five happens, people take notice. There is no substitution for the sound of it, the feel of it, or the ecstasy of hitting someone else's hand with yours. And there is truly no feeling like watching a game at a stadium or in a sports bar, turning around to celebrate a big moment, and spontaneously giving a stranger five. 

However, that also risks the dread and humiliation that comes with an awkward high five. To avoid disaster, you need to know how to give out your fives perfectly every time. Luckily, as the location of many fives (both up high and down low), we at The Rabbit Hole have plenty of high-five tips to make your celebrations hit hard, hit square, and feel great.

The Science Behind a Perfect High-Five

For decades, scientists may very well have been studying how to do a high-five consistently. If their observations have aligned with ours, they would have noted several vectors that can make a five objectively great.

Why So Many High-Fives Go Wrong

Before looking at high-five tips, we need to break down the reasons why they go wrong. That reason? Focusing in the wrong place. People foolishly try to follow the movement of their high-five partner's hand — but that's a rookie mistake, akin to throwing a football where your receiver is instead of where he will be.

The Elbow Method

Instead, focus on your opposite's elbow. It's a more stable arm location, and your brain will automatically do the math to line up your hand's trajectory for the big slap. An elbow method high-five will yield consistent contact and sound, letting you and everyone around you know that you have just given a resounding high-five for the ages.

Timing, Angle, and Confidence Matter

The elbow method is not the only thing to consider when learning how to high-five without missing. You want to match your timing and your angle of approach. Swing at the same time as your partner and let the person proposing the five to determine the arm angle. And in the world of high-fives, half measures are disastrous. Put your heart wholly and confidently into your five and you will be rewarded.

Transitioning to a Group Celebration

The scenario: The Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards sinks a buzzer-beating 3. You and your bro snap off a thunderous high-five and now everyone around you at the bar is looking for you to slap them some skin, too. 

You can high five everyone individually, or you can run up and down the crowd, lightly dapping up each person you pass. And just like that, everyone is included and you haven't exhausted your high-fiving hand.

Celebration Do's and Don'ts

In any social situation, there are rules that need to be observed. Since unspoken rules are really difficult to learn without committing an awkward mistake, here are some helpful reminders to ensure you are always in step with fan celebration etiquette. 

DO: Commit to the High-Five

It cannot be stated enough that any sports celebration ideas need to be approached with confidence. A half-hearted celebration is nothing. You may as well be sneaking looks at the game at a library at that point. When the time comes for a high-five, you need to commit to the bit.

DON'T: Leave Someone Hanging

We've all been there. You go up for a five, but no one notices and now you're standing there with your arm raised like you have a question for your third grade teacher. Do your part to protect your fellow sports fans from that embarrassing but all-too-common situation.

DO: Read the Room

Different moments demand different celebrations. Scoring a run in the second inning is not the same as a walk-off grand slam. Keep your excitement level high for your team, but be aware of the difference between a game-winning celebration and the joy of a less important moment.

DON'T: Get Overcomplicated

Everyone loves a secret handshake, but they have their place. It's fun to share a little moment with an old friend, but when something huge happens, a complicated handshake just dilutes the emotions of the moment because you have to stop and try to remember all the steps. In those moments, an intricate handshake is no substitute for a perfect high-five.

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Celebrating Iconic Minnesota Sports Moments

Let's be real with ourselves for a moment: perhaps the most common of all Minnesota sports traditions is falling short of our hopes and dreams. The 98/99 Vikings, the long string of Twins teams that crashed out against the Yankees, the collapse of the Garnett-Cassell-Sprewell T-Wolves against the Lakers — these are just a few of our terrible memories.

It is easy to dwell on those moments, but we have had so many magical memories, too. All the bitterness makes the good times all the sweeter. Here are some of the best examples of Minnesota sports excellence:

The Wild's Breakthrough Postseason

In 2003, we got our first ever Wild playoff memories when they made a run all the way to the conference finals. After the sting of the North Stars leaving just as they were getting really good, the thrill of playoff hockey was infectious. It's safe to say that there were more high-fives around the State of Hockey during that run than any other time since the turn of the century!

The Minneapolis Miracle

Coming up against New Orleans in the 2018 playoffs after the infamous Bountygate game of '09, there was a lot of history on every fan's mind. But then, Stefon Diggs caught the craziest, last-second touchdown any of us had ever seen, leading to Vikings celebrations like never before or since. Drinks went airborne, voices screamed as one, and high-fives with friends, family, and strangers were automatic and plentiful.

Game 6

The 1991 World Series is, rightly, regarded as one of the greatest of all time. And in that series, there are no Twins fan moments that equal Kirby Puckett's 11th inning, walk-off homer. Every Twins fan of a certain age still gets goosebumps thinking about the high-fives they doled out while Jack Buck said, "And we'll see you tomorrow night!"

Creative Ways to Celebrate a Big Win with Friends

The high-five rules. To love it, you don't need to know that it was likely invented in the late '70s by Dusty Baker and Glenn Burke or that the Guinness World Record for Most High-Fives in One Minute was 292 by the class at Kochino Junior High School in Konan, Japan in 2024. 

Loving the high-five does not mean it is the only way to celebrate. When you're looking for sports bar celebration ideas after the fives have been given but the joy is still ringing in your ears, give these a try:

• Victory selfies
• Acting out a replay of your celebration, along with the replay of the winning moment
• Chants and songs like Skol, Vikings or We're Gonna Win, Twins!
• Toasting to victory

Take the Celebration Out After the Game

When something incredible happens, you don't want the night to ever end. If you weren't already watching the game at The Rabbit Hole, post game is the perfect time to head our way. Celebrate with great food or our signature drinks that you literally can't get anywhere else. 

Absorb the good vibes from the amazing fans you'll be surrounded with and hold that victory in your heart forever. There is no other bar in the North Loop that can match a true Minnesota fan's love of their teams, so come reserve a large table or room. Sharing your celebrations with us makes them feel that much bigger.

Mastering the Perfect High-Five

To become a master of the high-five requires focus, timing, confidence, and emotion. You must know when to give five emphatically and when to be quick and precise. And when you have achieved the perfect high-five, it is your responsibility to share it.

Your fives will be welcomed and embraced at The Rabbit Hole. With 42 massive HD screens, you will never miss a moment that demands your high-fiving skills. Be it for a touchdown, home run, power play goal, or decisive penalty kick, there is no better place to celebrate in Minneapolis. Our hands are raised. Will you leave us hanging?