A good way to speak to the whole team is pull together a huddle.

Ask players to gather round in a tight circle and you ground yourself on one knee to get to their level.

This simple tactic works wonders for a couple of reasons.

You can see all their faces and make eye contact with everyone around the huddle.

This conveys that you care, builds trust and motivates.

When you have the players gathered around tightly, it means that you don’t have to shout or speak in a loud voice to be heard above any competing noises.

By speaking quietly the players will have to concentrate to listen and that way you will keep them engaged.

Try this at your next match, during your half time talk. Vary the level of your voice to emphasise key points that you want them to focus on.

Another tip, when in the huddle if you spot a player who is “away with the fairies” not concentrating but gazing at something else that’s distracted them; just shut up and be silent and see how long it takes for them to register that all has gone quiet.

Keep eye contact with them, and if they still haven’t tuned back in after 10 seconds, you can bet that one of their team mates will give them a nudge!