Make your half time talks more effective

Remind your players to enjoy having the ball, and tell them there’s only half a match left to play. Tell them to “play your game” which will instil the confidence and teamwork your coaching has developed.

Pitch and weather conditions: coaching tips to solve problems at half-time

Problem: Rain – wet pitch
Solution: A wet ball means faster movement. Tell your team to keep their passing simple, and not to put too much weight on one leg. Goalies and defenders must clear their lines into touch.

Problem: Wind blowing into faces
Solution: Tell your players to keep the ball down and pass to feet. Tell them long balls into the wind do not work. Your goalie must kick to the side - make sure he/she knows that. If your team has played with the wind behind them in the first half beware of complacency as the other team will be raring to go having struggled into the wind.

Problem: Long grass
Solution: The ball will stick so your players need to keep their passes crisp. The bounce from goal kicks will be poor so be aware of this and be first to it.

Tips to give players just before they go back on the pitch: Pick one or two points

• Remind players to be aware of their surroundings.
  
  

• Anticipate where the ball is going.
  
  

• Be aware of teammates’ positions.
  
  

• Close down and mark the opposition players.
  
  

• Tell dribblers to dribble and shooters to shoot.
  
  

• Encourage your goalie, don’t criticise - leave that for later.

Summing up

Make the speech clear and effective. Don’t cover all the points mentioned here, but make two or three points you want to get across. Don’t be tempted with “and another thing”...

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