Five things NEVER to say at half time

“That’s the worst I have ever seen”

We have all experienced a lacklustre first-half performance. Whether the scoreline reflects it or not, the players will know it hasn’t gone well. Yes, you have to acknowledge it was bad and make your players know they can play better. However, it is not helpful to blame them or belittle them.

It is better to dismiss the first half by looking ahead immediately: “Right, we did not perform like we should, and we know that. Let’s put it right but you need to work harder in these areas of the game…”

“And my fifth point is”

Whether you have three minutes or eight to speak to the players, they are only going to return to the pitch with the capacity to remember a limited number of points. Keep to simple, short and focused messages. Repeat them, give them energy and make sure there are no more than three.

“You have to win from here”

It is pointless to give players long-term targets for the next half. They will be tired and just need to think about the next five minutes.

Chop down your message into what should happen in terms of territory or how you want to defend, or how to attack from the kick off.

“The referee is having a shocker”

You might have received more than your fair share of poor calls in the first half, but it’s better to help the players learn to live with the referee in the next half.

Work out what they are hot on, and make sure your players comply. If they are wound up by you, they are likely to take that to the referee and wind them up, all to the detriment of your team.

“We need a new game plan”

Half time is not the moment to introduce anything new to the team. All the messages should be a repetition of the advice/tactics/skills you have talked about in training. Yes, you might adjust a plan, but only if the players have used it before. Better to give the players confidence in their ability than mess up their minds with new patterns.