Halftime in a soccer match is a central moment in the timeline of a game. In addition to being a time for physical rest, the 15 minutes of halftime are also a great opportunity for a coach to adjust their choices, tactics, or speech.
After presenting our 5 tips for a successful pre-match speech, find in this article our recommendations and examples for a successful halftime as a coach.
We particularly revisit the halftime talk itself, its impact on the players, the tactical advice to implement, and the messages to convey with several examples.
- How to effectively manage halftime break?
- Calming down in the locker room
- What to say at halftime of a match?
- Examples of inspiring halftime talks
- Halftime talk, an art as the pivot of a match
1. How to effectively manage halftime break?
Before getting into the heart of the matter, we will quickly break down the different phases of a halftime. Even though these are all different depending on your level, the events of the first half, or simply the score, a 5-step timeline emerges:
- Return to the locker room: about 2 minutes
- Calming down: about 2 minutes
- Coach's speech: about 7 minutes
- Players' speech: about 2 minutes
- Return to the field: about 2 minutes
As you know, halftime goes by very quickly from the end of the first half whistle to the start of the second. The coach's speech is the central phase of halftime and the right words must be found.
2. Calming down in the locker room
The players are all there, sitting in their places in the locker room. Minds are still tense and bodies warm.
Most coaches, like Zinedine Zidane during his two stints at Real Madrid (2016-2018 then 2019-2021), like to leave a few minutes of calm for the players to regain their composure and "clear their heads".
Speaking too early risks frustrating the players, you won't be listened to by everyone, and tensions can arise. So take the time for a calm down before starting your speech.
3. What to say at halftime of a match?
It is now time for you to speak as the conductor of your team. Your players are now calmed and listening. Here are some key elements that can help you frame your halftime during your intervention:
1. Review of the first half
Start by offering an analysis of the first 45 minutes, go back over specific facts, positive (a beautiful play, a well-constructed goal, a gap found...), as well as negative (a bad alignment, a strategic loss of possession, a misunderstanding...).
In any case, and regardless of the score, objectivity must be the watchword of your halftime. If, for example, you are trailing 3 to 0, there is no need to criticize your players, they already know they haven't performed well, the idea is to motivate them.
2. Tactical adjustment
After the debrief of the first half, it's time for the action plan for the second. This is when you should give your instructions for the rest of the match based on what worked and the weaknesses your opponent leaves you.
Discuss it with your players, they also have feedback to provide on this topic, and you can adjust the tactics together. For example, being in a 4-3-3 formation in the offensive phase and switching to a 4-2-3-1 in the defensive phase to lock down the flanks, the strength of the opposing team.
You can also individually revisit the positioning or the first half of certain players in particular but always with an objective and simple speech.
3. Motivation phase
The locker room has now calmed down, the players are rested, calm, and the tactical adjustment has been made, it's time to motivate your team.
The goal is, through a positive speech, to find the words that will get your players back into the game and make them want to excel on the field for the second half. As a coach, it is crucial that your players follow you, and for that, you must motivate them with your words but also with your positive attitude (head held high, express yourself with your body, do not sigh or give up, for example).
Encourage them, motivate them to do the same among themselves, and remind them of basic but oh-so-important instructions: "talk to each other", "communicate", "press together", "stay calm"... It is during this motivation phase that the players will have the opportunity to get up and return to the field.
4. Examples of inspiring halftime talks
Many professional match talks have been recorded via locker room surveillance cameras. This allows us to better understand the behind-the-scenes of halftimes during a high-level match.
Zinedine Zidane during the 2018 Champions League final
We mentioned earlier, Zinedine Zidane was known for speaking very little during talks but he knew how to find the right words. During the C1 final with Real Madrid against Liverpool in 2018, the score was 0 to 0, discover the tactical and positive adjustments of the Frenchman.
Real Madrid would eventually win 3 goals to 1.
Julien Stephan during the 2019 French Cup final
At the head of Stade Rennais for only a few months, Julien Stephan led his team to the French Cup final against PSG. Although trailing 2 goals to 1 at halftime, the Breton coach was convinced, his team could do it.
Stade Rennais would come back into the match and win on penalties (2-2, 6-5 on penalties).
5. Halftime talk, an art as the pivot of a match
You will have understood, a halftime talk can greatly influence the rest of the match. Soccer is not just a physical sport, it is also primarily mental. It is the role of a coach to succeed in this mental game with their players so that they win the match.
Halftime is therefore central to debriefing the first act, adjusting tactics, and motivating the troops.
The way the talk is managed can determine the course of events, so do not take it lightly, choose your words carefully, and stay positive.
