TIME MANAGEMENT skills are essential in making your halftimes more productive. The coaches need to meet and make any necessary game plan adjustments. Your team needs to get into the locker room, settle down, and await instructions from your staff. All this needs to be done as quickly and efficiently as possible. Here are 11 tips for maximizing your halftime.
1. Send a manager to the locker room 3 minutes before halftime to unlock the door and to prepare water, towels, etc., for players.
2. Train the players to quickly get off the field and into the locker room.
3. If it’s warm, bring cooling fans and allow the players to take off their shoulder pads. They are more apt to pay attention if they are not miserable.
4. Assign areas for players to go to in the locker room. For example, our starters on defense know they must sit directly in front of the chalkboard before the game and at halftime.
5. Give your players 2 minutes to get settled.
6. During the 2-minute settling period, talk to the other coaches and decide what topics need to be addressed.
7. Stay positive regardless of how the game is progressing. Save the butt-chewing for the film room.
8. You don’t always have to talk Xs and Os. Sometimes all that needs to be addressed is alignments and/or techniques.
9. Listen to your players’ feedback. A lot of the time they can provide the most accurate information.
10. Head back to the field with 3 minutes left on the halftime clock.
11. Make the players exercise and jog as soon as they get in front of your bench. This will ensure that they are loose and ready for the second half.