Half-time is one of the most misused opportunities in coaching.
You have 15 minutes to communicate with individual players, the complete team, and your staff. You need to provide clarity for the second half and create the right mindset within the group.
Most coaches waste this time commentating on what just happened. The effective approach is completely different.
The First Rule: Don’t Commentate
“They scored because we didn’t track runners.” “We need to be more clinical.” “The midfield was overrun.”
These observations might be accurate, but they’re backwards-looking. Players already know what happened - they were there.
Speak about what is to come in the second half and what is needed to be successful.
The past is useful only as context for future action. Everything you say should point forward.
Managing Your Time
You have 15 minutes, but that doesn’t mean talking for 15 minutes.
Lose 90 seconds returning to the changing room. Need roughly the same to return to the pitch. Your actual communication window is around 12 minutes.
Planning this time - and planning who communicates - is essential to getting messages across effectively.
The Three-Part Structure
Part A: Gather Your Thoughts (First 3-4 Minutes)
Before speaking to anyone, speak to your assistants and gather your own thoughts and emotions.
Questions to answer quickly:
- What was the game plan?
- What is the current state of the game?
- What’s coming in the second half?
- What messages do individual players need?
- What does the team need?
- Is this a technical, tactical, or psychological message?
- Has the team been in this situation before?
Consider your opponent too. If you know the opposing coach or understand their mentality, you can often anticipate changes they’ll make for the second half. This is worth discussing with your staff.
During this initial period, let players speak amongst themselves, take on drinks, and gather their own thoughts. The physios will be checking for issues. This breathing space is valuable.
Part B: Individual Clarity (4-5 Minutes)
Now speak to individuals who need specific guidance.
Be clear on what is required and what you’d like them to do. Involve other players who are:
- Positionally connected to this player
- In a position to support them on the field
- The direct beneficiary of this player doing their job well
Link messages back to training or something that gives confidence. “Remember how we worked on this in Thursday’s session” is more powerful than abstract instruction.
Part C: Team Message (3-4 Minutes)
What message do you want to send to the group?
Be clear: “If we do this… then this will happen…”
Stick to 2-3 key aspects essential to the team’s play or mentality. Don’t get caught discussing small things.
Examples of what to address:
- Reference back to your initial game plan
- The current state of the game (are we chasing, protecting, building?)
- Changes in emotion, game state, or environment
- Who are your match winners and how do you get them on the ball?
- How might your team score? (Paint this picture in players’ minds)
- Who are their danger players and how do you deny them space?
Interact with players and ask questions if this creates buy-in. But be mindful of tone and body language - these matter as much as words.
Using Your Staff
Don’t be superhuman. Work as a team.
One approach:
- Manager handles team communication
- Assistants pick off individuals 1:1
- GK coach addresses set-play details
Each coach taking a different role stops players switching off to the same voice. Create a communication structure players become familiar with throughout the season.
The Consistency Principle
Try to create a way of communicating that players recognise and expect. When your approach is consistent, players know what’s coming and can absorb information more efficiently.
This doesn’t mean being predictable or boring. It means having a structure that allows for flexibility within a framework players understand.
Parts B and C: Together or Separate?
Individual feedback and team communication can be:
- One combined communication everyone hears
- Separate 1:1 conversations followed by group address
- A mixture of both
The key is understanding your players and what the moment requires. Some messages land better privately. Some need public reinforcement. Some individuals respond to being called out in front of the group; others shut down.
Know your players.
Always Speak With Optimism
Whatever the situation, your communication should point toward what’s possible, not what’s failed.
This doesn’t mean ignoring problems. It means framing solutions positively.
“We need to stop giving the ball away” vs “When we keep possession through their press, we create chances”
Same issue. Different framing. Different impact on player mindset.
The 15-Minute Test
After your next match, reflect:
- Did I speak about what was coming, or what had happened?
- Did individuals get clarity relevant to them?
- Did the team get 2-3 clear priorities?
- Did I use my staff effectively?
- Did I leave time for players to prepare mentally?
Half-time is a strategic window. Use it strategically.
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