Having spent more than 30 years coaching and educating coaches in both formal and informal environments, I can honestly say I’ve witnessed many highlights and many lowlights. I wish that the clips playing through my mind had evolved and that we were making new mistakes in how we teach youth players. Unfortunately, one area of persistent concern remains: the half-time talk.
I’m not entirely sure why this happens. Perhaps it’s the emotion of the game, the inability of some coaches to remember what effective teaching and learning look like, or simply a lack of emotional control. Whatever the reason, the result is almost always the same.
You’d have to look long and hard to find a half-time talk that isn’t one (or more) of the following:
1. Overloaded with information: So many points and observations that players remember none of them.
2. Confusingly structured: Players leave more confused than when they came in.
3. Emotionally-charged: Full of anger or frustration, robbing players of the joy of the second half.
4. Mentally-draining: Too many words and too much noise, leaving players unable to think or problem-solve.
5. Command-driven: Filled with orders that shut down creativity and independent thinking.
6. One-way communication: Offering players no opportunity to discuss their own thoughts (even though they’re the ones playing).
7. Undermined by parents: Followed by contradictory instructions shouted from the sidelines.
8. Contradictory among adults: With multiple coaches or helpers desperate to make a point, talking over one another without listening.
To bring some clarity and purpose to the halftime pantomime, I urge coaches to try the following process:
- Observe and record key statistics throughout the first half, focusing on elements connected to your team’s style of play.
- Use substitutes to help track simple data. For example: consecutive passes, times we switched the point of attack, number of overloads created, passes that broke lines, and players joining the attack.
- Apply the “Rule of Three plus One.” Limit yourself to three clear and concise team points, supported by simple statistics.
Example: “We need to work harder to support the player on the ball so we can build attacks. Our longest passing sequence was only three, we can do better.” (These key points should be previewed in your pregame talk so players know what to expect.) - Plus One: After the three team points, give each player one simple technical focus.
Example: “Tim, work on taking your first touch away from pressure.” (These should also connect to the goals discussed before the game.) - Start the halftime talk with the players. Have them discuss what went well and what challenges they faced, ideally within their team units. and let them report back before you speak.
- Check in individually to provide feedback on each player’s pregame goal.
- Make it a habit for players to speak first and last. After all, it’s their team and their game.
