During match preparation, the aim of the coach is to find the right motivational levels. This can be attained by watching the attitude of the players and providing a good pep-talk. The coach can play up or play down the importance of a game in order to reduce or increase motivation. He can also take pressure off too keyed-up players by accepting responsibility for the result. The experience of the coach does often tell in these situations and will play a role in the resulting performance.

The position of the club in the league plays an important role in player motivation, as does the pre-match or half-time team talk.

If your team is in the leading pack: The biggest problem can be over-confidence and complacency. The coach may use a short sharp shock to bring them back down to earth. Players can also show mental and physical staleness from the pressure of being at the top. Rest and recovery training work can help remotivate the troops.

If your team is mid-table: A team facing neither the threat of relegation nor promotion has little incentive. Motivation may be low as is the sense of urgency and desire to win. Bringing in new players, changing playing systems or position roles may help.

If your team is low or in the relegation zone: Teams in the lower half can lose confidence and develop a negative attitude or a fear of losing. This fear must be removed by the coach by persuading players that if they keep doing what they are good at, things will come right. Concentrating on the simple things and not the results whilst giving precise instructions to individuals about their job will help along with much praise and encouragement.

As mentioned earlier, the pre-match and half-time talk will play a role in determining motivational levels. The opposition like the league position of a team plays an important part in deciding the talk content. Playing a team lower than yourself can lead to overconfidence as the players automatically think they will win. Coaches must explain the importance of being serious and make sure that players are not complacent in their training and preparation, especially in Cup competitions against smaller clubs.

A highly motivated team can often prove the difference when playing against rivals of a similar calibre. Also, when meeting a more successful team coaches often play on the underdog, nothing to lose position. Although this may lead to a team feeling they have no chance. Several club managers in English football claim that teams when playing Manchester Utd just lie down and accept defeat. The coach must play on the weaknesses of the opposition (every team has them !) and motivate his players to believe they can take advantage of them.

The half time team talk will of course depend on the score and impressions of the coach. A team leading 2-0 will be instructed not to become complacent and concede an early goal whereas a tight goalless first-half may lead the coach to jolt his players and encourage them to try to break the deadlock through their ability.

Motivation is a key means to achieving success. It greatly depends on the coaches' personality, attitude and means of getting players interested in bettering themselves and accepting the means by which they can develop. Generally, the coach should try to understand what motivation is and the ways to turn under or extrinsically motivated players into intrinsically highly motivated successful players.

In the end, Bill Besick (sports psychologist for Manchester Utd) states that the strongest motivation must be because the player wants to win and in a team sport the motivation must be because the players want to win together.

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