Does the 'perfect' pre-game talk exist?

We often see videos of a coach giving an inspiring speech just before their team goes out and competes.

 

These pep talks are usually met with the team rallying around the coach, hyped to take the field. The reality is that most pre-game speeches are not that way at all.

 

For most coaches, a pre-game talk is a way to:

1. Relay any last-minute information: This could be about the preparation you’ve done during the week, or reminders about important tactical information.
2. Inspire and motivate your team before they step out on the pitch: Every coach has their way of doing this, based on their coaching style, the age of their players, and the level they are coaching at. 

But how much thought do we put into our pre-game talks? Take a moment to think back to, and reflect on, the last pre-game talk you gave your team. 

 

Think about where you were playing, whether it was a league match or a friendly, and what you worked on in the week leading up to your match.

 

As you reflect, answer some of these questions:

• What was the goal of your pre-game talk?
• Did you plan out what you were going to talk about?
• How long did it last?
• When during the pre-game routine did you give the talk?
• Were your players receptive to it?

The thing is, there isn’t an equation for creating the perfect pre-game talk – but there are some things you can think about to enhance the effectiveness of your next pre-game talk, to benefit your team.

 

Have a plan

We take a lot of pride in preparing our training sessions and meetings, and we should take the same pride in preparing our final message on matchday.

 

Take some time to think about the purpose of your pre-game message. 

 

Make connections to the important things you focused on during the week while you prepared for your matches, and use your team’s values and its culture to drive the emotion in the message. 

 

Connecting things like the common language used in your club or program will have a stronger pull, and will help your players feel more compelled by the message.

 

Tailor it to your team

Knowing your team is by far the biggest advantage you can have when creating your pre-game talk.

 

Understanding how your team is motivated, how your players like to prepare, and what the team dynamics are, can all help you identify the best way to execute your pre-game talk. 

 

This will likely be the last time you will be able to address your entire team before they go out and compete.

 

Your ability to read what their emotional state is like will be important in successfully conveying your message. 

 

Be open to having a conversation with your team about what they feel they need just before they go out to compete. 

 

You may find your team requires an emotion-filled speech – or they might prefer total silence and to be left alone with their thoughts.

 

The reality is you will never be able to give everyone what they need in that moment – but understanding your players’ thoughts can help you figure out what is best.

 

Keep it short and simple

Right before a match, your players are feeling an array of different emotions. It is likely they will only have a certain capacity to retain extra information. 

 

You should try to find the sweet spot of getting your message across in a clear manner, while also keeping it brief. 

 

Try to avoid introducing new information, as this may confuse players right before they step out onto the pitch. 

 

Emphasize the positive

Take this opportunity to focus on your team’s strengths and how they can be dominant, rather than focusing on potential issues from the opposition.

 

You should lead with a message that conveys your confidence in your players and their ability. This may help manage any nerves or negative emotions that your players may be feeling.

 

This could also be a good chance to remind them of other times they have had success within a match or training, giving them a tangible example of how they have been successful before, especially against this particular opponent.

 

Find the right time

Everyone prepares for matches in different ways.

 

Pre-game is a time for your players to be able to do what they need to be physically and mentally ready to compete. 

 

This looks very different from player to player; some have very strict routines and others do whatever they need in the moment.

 

This is when choosing the right time to speak comes into play – finding a window that can still allow your players to do what they need as individuals to be prepared to compete, while also being able to convey your message. 

 

This is where knowing your players, and getting input from them, can be extremely helpful.

 

As coaches, putting the team first is always at the forefront of our minds.

 

We want to make sure we are doing everything in our power to set them up for success when it comes to matchday. 

 

We should be putting the same care into cultivating a pre-game talk that is unique to our team as we do into preparing our sessions for them during the week. 

 

So, no, the “perfect” pre-game talk does not exist – but there is such thing as the right pre-game talk for your team.