Throughout the high school sport seasons,  athletes must always be preparing for their respective events., not only physically but mentally. Athletes have the ability to block out distractions and focus on the game or meet that is taking place. Is what their coaches telling them before the game affecting their game of play?

Many student athletes are taking the pep talk as a motivational speech. When coaches display their pep talks, they mainly focus on the players and how to play against the other team. Mentally being prepared not only affects the player but it affects the rest of the team. 

“We don’t just get a load down of how the other team’s plays; we also pray to have a good game and thank everyone that we can play the sport,” said Nathan Oiler, CHS freshman football player.

Throughout the different sports seasons, the talk also sets a goal for the team and what they should be working on. If the team is losing, the coach may give some defensive tips and what to do in a certain situation. Most coaches believe that it is good to be repetitive in their speeches so the athletes know what they are dealing with whether it is in a game or a practice

“If we are down I usually tell them to work harder and explain what they need to improve on but other than that we go on about what plays to run through in certain situations. I say the same thing a lot because our team still has problems with a couple of things but hey, that’s what practice is for,” said by Tito Tep, a soccer coach.

Not overloading the pep talk gives athletes time to think and get mentally prepare for the game so they play their best. Through the talks comes determination and through determination comes performance and through performance comes wins.