How effective and impactful are your half-times? Is it time to re-design your players’ half-time experiences?
At Minute9, we combine the power of science and data to elevate your half-time performance. Our approach is grounded in extensive research and a deep understanding of psychology, allowing us to decode effective half-time talks’ intricacies. We collect and analyse data from half-time situations, offering a unique perspective on what works and why. This scientific foundation empowers coaches to tailor their half-times for maximum impact.
Half-times like you’ve never seen it before – a realm of untapped potential for both coaches and teams.
Minute9 consults coaches in the following sports:
To make Half-time talks a strategic advantage by empowering coaches with a toolbox of techniques to address…
HTs are not just a pause in the action; they are the heartbeat of a game. They mark the juncture where strategies are reevaluated, minds are refocused, and the course of the competition can be altered.
Players may be physically exhausted, emotionally charged, or mentally fatigued at HT. A well-crafted HT talk can provide the psychological boost needed to overcome self-doubt, regain focus, and approach the second half with renewed determination.
HT talks directly influence the mindset of athletes. Effective talks can instil a winning mentality, boost confidence, and create a sense of unity within the team. During HT, coaches have the opportunity to ignite the fire within their players. The right words can transform doubt into determination, fear into courage, and adversity into opportunity. It's here that champions are forged in the crucible of motivation.
A successful HT talk is not solely about inspiring individuals; it's about galvanising the team as a whole. It's about reminding each player of their unique role in the collective journey toward victory.
Minute9’s proprietary half-time research unveiled a crucial disparity between coaches' expectations, players' expectations, and the existing gap between the two. This misalignment presents a pressing issue that suggests the attention and resolution of coaches.
The disparity between what coaches expect and what players desire during HT talks creates a significant gap. It signifies a lack of communication, understanding, and alignment that can hinder a team's performance and potential success. Recognising this problem is the first step toward bridging the gap and transforming HT talks into a pivotal asset for both coaches and players.
When executed competently, HT offers an important window to impact second-half performance positively (Smith & Sherwin, 2022). A positive HT speech from the coach can positively influence players' perceptions of effectiveness and motivation (Zach et al., 2022).
Due to the secrecy surrounding of HTs, there is a scarcity of HT-related research. As a result, there is a need for more research to explore the psychological dynamics of half-time communications and experiences (Avugos et al., 2020).
The disparity between what coaches expect and what players desire during HT talks creates a significant gap. It signifies a lack of communication, understanding, and alignment that can hinder a team's performance and potential success. Recognising this problem is the first step toward bridging the gap and transforming HT talks into a pivotal asset for both coaches and players.
The portrayal of passionate and motivational pre and mid-game coach speeches in popular culture, such as Any Given Sunday (1999), Remember the Titans (2000), and Sunderland 'Til I Die (2021), has created an expectation regarding their impact on player performance.
What does the research say to date? While mixed, certain insights are emerging, including HT in team sports is crucial for coaches to deliver motivational speeches and tactical instructions to their players (Evans et al., 2018).
Given the lack of HT intel, Minute9’s goal is to create and collate HT-related research for the benefit of is clients. It is clear that there is a gap between what elite players expect and what happens in reality at HT.
As a result, Minute9 have collected data-driven insights showing:
There are several strands for making effective HT experiences.
Minute9 has identified 15 elements that contribute to effective HT experiences. As an illustrative selection, here are five key factors:
Players thrive in a calm environment guided by an emotionally composed coach during half-time talks.
A coach's positive demeanour, rather than a negative one, boosts player performance.
Effective half-time talks involve tactical astuteness, providing solutions, and engaging the team.
Coaches who convey authentic emotions, speak concisely, and align with team values make a significant impact.
Encouraging an environment where most constructive feedback comes from the players, not just the coaching team.
Minute9 has identified over 41 factors contributing to ineffective HT experiences. Here are five key elements to be aware of:
Information overload, such as excessive data and statistics.
Inadequate use of visual aids or props.
Coaches lacking tactical expertise in reviewing the first-half and summarising key elements.
Overreliance on broad generalisations (e.g., 'work harder' or 'more effort').
Inadequate honesty in the changing room; open communication is essential.
Coaches do not, on average, believe that their half-time talks can significantly affect the game's ultimate result (Avugos et al., 2020).
Conversely, player-centric research reveals that players believe that a well-structured and engaging half-time talk from the coach can play a pivotal role in determining the final score (Devlin, 2023).
There are two reasons. One science-based and one based on a personal story.
The science-based reason: Grounded in athlete-focused half-time research, it is recommended that the coach addresses the team as a group at the ninth minute of the intermission. This is based on the half-time break being 15minutes long (which is the case for professional Basketball, Football, Gaelic football and Hurling, Hockey, and Rugby Union). The first 60% of half-time should allow players to rest, reconnect and get grounded.
The personal reason: If we get to meet one day (and I hope we do), I will explain the personal reason behind the name "Minute9".
To equip coaches with scientifically proven methods and data-driven insights to enhance half-times and elevate team performance.
Recognising there is a problem between player and coach expectations for half-time is the first step toward bridging the gap and transforming half-time into a pivotal asset for both coaches and players.
AtMinute9, we aim to address that issue by providing research-backed solutions and data-driven insights that bridge the expectations of coaches and players, resulting in more impactful half-time experiences. This is captured in theMinute9 HT Methodology™, grounded in theory and data-driven insights. The proposed outcomes are:
Grounded in theory and data-driven insights, Minute9 has developed and designed the Minute9 HT Methodology™. The methodology aims to provide coaches with the tools, techniques, and resources they need to deliver more effective HT experiences and talks, ultimately leading to improved team performance and player development. Find Out More>
"This player-led half-time research is important. Half-time can swing a game, but do coaches know which buttons to press and when? Minute9’s work is both important and commendable."
Arsène Wenger, FIFA
"Minute9's half-time tips for coaches are relevant, useful and practical. I already use some of those ideas in my half-time practice"
Stuart Lancaster, head coach Racing 92 (former England Rugby head coach)
“Outstanding – the in-person event was fun, insightful and very practical. Bar Eamon being an Arsenal fan, I can fully recommend”
Adam French, Abingdon Football Club
"Eamon's half-time expertise will empower basketball coaches and, in turn, our basketball players. Pure brilliance."
Alan Keane, British Basketball Federation
"Eamon clearly understands the psychology of half-time. His half-time workshops are gold.”
Joe Kernan, Crossmaglen Rangers
"There is a unique aspect to Eamon's research on the half-time input in that it provides some much-needed insights into how half-times can be configured to optimise performance impact. At the core is player feedback."
Pat Daly, GAA, Director of Organisational Culture, Planning & Development
"Coaches need to carefully consider how half-time is managed, the quality and quantity of information the players receive, and most importantly how it is delivered. Simply put, players need you to perform at half-time. The work done by Minute9 is grounded in detailed research and can provide direction for coaches."
Paddy Tally, Coach, Kerry Senior Footballers
"This half-time research is important. Half-time can swing a game, but do coaches know which buttons to press and when? Eamon’s work is both important and commendable.”
John McEntee, Inniskeen Grattans, Ireland
"Inspirational half-time insights. Fascinating data-driven findings. Eamon's live workshops are informative, enlightening and fun."
Ciaran Deely, QPR and DSS Sports
"AFL half-time is 20 minutes long. Eamon challenged our approach to Half-Time. We now have a different plan."
Danny Daly, Brisbane Lions, AFL, Australia
"Real-life examples of half-time feedback across multiple sports. Accurate, insightful and informative data."
Charlie O’Donnell, Manager, Warwickshire Footballers
"I am convinced there are significant lessons to be learned from Eamon's excellent research work on the efficacy of half-time talks delivered by a football manager. As that manager, It has challenged me to reflect on and change my approach to half-time talks as I now better understand what elite players want and need from them."
Kevin McStay, Manager, Mayo Senior Footballers
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eamon@Minute9.io
