10 Inspirational Locker Room Speeches That Will Remind You It's More Than Just A Game

When it comes down to it, a sport is much more than just a game. You're playing for your team. You're playing for your brothers, your sisters and anyone who ever believed in you.

But when you're getting your ass whooped, sometimes it's hard to keep the faith. However as we all know, it's how you react to adversity and bounce back that measures the greatness of an individual.

The true leaders are guys who motivate those around them. And, sometimes, this needs to be vocalized just like we've seen in countless locker room speeches.

Once you master this, it can be applied to anything in life as the recipe for success is pretty much universal -- hard work and not being afraid to fail! These are 10 Inspirational Locker Room Speeches That Will Remind You It's More Than Just A Game.

Jameis Winston Fires Up Florida State

Even as a freshman for no. 1 Florida State, Jameis Winston proved his value as a leader with this brief, but epic halftime speech. Down to Clemson heading into the third, Famous Jameis reminded his brothers that they should smile. There was just no way he was letting them leave Death Valley without a win. The fact that he went on to lead his team to the victory only solidifies his status as this year's Heisman winner.

Ray Lewis Hypes Up The Stanford Men's Basketball Team

Before a 2010 NIT Tournament at Madison Square Garden, Ray Lewis surprised the Stanford basketball team by delivering them a rousing speech before tipoff. That extra motivation was all they needed as they went on to win the championship game over Minnesota.

West Virginia Coach Bill Stewart Inspires His Troops

Former West Virginia Mountaineers coach Bill Stewart died suddenly from a heart attack in May 2012 at the age of 59, but he left his mark with his team when it counted. Before a match up between Oklahoma in the 2008 Fiesta Bowl, he left no doubt what the team needed to do as the Mountaineers went on to best the Sooners to win the game. His ability to motivate the team was his biggest strength as a coach and this moment proved it. This man was a true legend.

Ed Reed At The University of Miami

Before he was patrolling NFL secondaries, Ed Reed was a legend at the college level for the Miami Hurricanes. Hurting at the half, he didn't have much else to say to his team than to try harder. Playing while injured, Ed Reed is probably the last of a dying breed of safeties who put it all out on the line. If you need any more convincing that he was born to do this, then watch this.

Les Miles Plays For Victory

Les Miles has one motive every time he takes his team out onto the field: play for victory. Dominate the opponent, play together and beat their ass. This recipe for success has been pretty solid for him as one of the top teams in the SEC as he has the power to make his team rise up to any occasion.

Chuck Pagano After Beating Cancer

After his year-long (successful) battle with cancer, Colts head coach visited the team in the locker room to thank them for their support and help when his family needed it most. Then rookie quarterback Andrew Luck had a lot to do with the team's success, but it was all 53 guys on the roster who made their 2012 season a success and building block for the team's future. His illness surely made everyone realize that they were playing for more than just themselves, but for everyone around them.

LeBron James Fires Up The Heat In The Playoffs

I'll admit, this isn't the most motivational pre-game speech of all time, but these are the words and advice of one of the best ever to play the game. LeBron James has the mental aspect of the game down as he stays focused through some of the biggest distractions to continue to perfect his game and to make others around him better. Plus he has the heart of a champion!

Tim Tebow Proves His Greatness

When it's all said and done, and we can take a step back to look at things, Tim Tebow will probably go down as the greatest college football player of all time. His time at Florida was something truly special as he literally did everything for his team on the field. But it was what we didn't see that truly separated him. His leadership was unsurpassed as he was just one of those guys who plays with his emotion and instincts, which, in most cases, got his team the win. What a shame he doesn't play in the NFL today.

Ray Lewis Gets Deep (Pause)

Ray Lewis is a master of pre-game, halftime and post-game speeches. And while former teammate Joe Flacco said some of the things he said didn't even make sense, what does he know? Defensive players always have to get jacked up for their team and Ray Lewis was the greatest at it. He dug deep into his teammate's souls to bring the best out of them and that got him a Super Bowl ring during his last year in the league.

Louisiana Coach Mark Hudspeth Goes HAM

Raging Cajuns head coach Mark Hudspeth had his team playing one of the biggest games in school history back in 2011 when they faced off against San Diego State at the SuperDome. If he weren't being so damn motivational, he could've caught a charge for grabbing and pushing his players like that. But it was all to amp them up as they got the win.

Photo credit: Getty Images

best pre game speeches ever

logo kew media red phoenix to succeed in life

Page not Found

404 Error

Screen Rant

10 most inspiring sports movie speeches.

4

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

No CGI Version Of Kingdom of the Planet Of The Apes Movie Revealed

What would star wars really be like without disney, "we're not remaking that movie": bill skarsgard distances his version of the crow from brandon lee's.

The most inspiring sports movie speeches of all time light a fire under every sports fan's heart. They are typically given by head coaches of underdog teams who need a pre-game or halftime locker room pick-me-up to encourage the pursuit of victory against a challenging opponent. They can also arise in other unique ways that encapsulate the feelings of sportsmanship, teamwork, and a love of the game that reminds every athlete, coach, and fan why they play ball.

The timeless tale of inspiring underdogs in sports movies is the culmination of blood, sweat, and tears as well as fearlessness in the face of a formidable opponent. The best speeches in sports movies often remind those it is intended for to keep up their determination and maintain their belief in themselves. The most inspiring moments in sports movies come from the mutual desire to become greater than the sum of any given team's parts and often speak to notions of greatness and achievement that transcend the court or playing field.

RELATED: 12 Awesome Sports Movies Not Based On A True Story

10 Hoosiers - “I Don’t Care What The Scoreboard Says”

Coach Norman stands alongside his team

In the 1986 classic basketball film Hoosiers , Coach Norman Dale (Gene Hackman) delivers a passionate speech to his Hickory High School Huskers varsity team. Dale walks into a timid locker room in a make-or-break moment that will determine how the Indiana team will approach their big game. Dale's speech denounces the common anxieties that come with pre-game jitters, reminding his team not to focus on winning a distant state championship but to instead remember that the road to victory begins with one step. Dale encourages his team to forget about the crowds and the scoreboard, which leads to an iconic slow clap that fires the Huskers up before they hit the court.

9 Remember The Titans - “Leave No Doubt”

Remember The Titans Will Patton Denzel Washington

Remember the Titans is full of inspiring moments, but none capture the same intensity of the mid-game motivational speech given by Coach Bill Yoast (Will Patton). During the Northern Virginia Regional Championship Football Game, Yoast pulls his defensive players aside and reinforces their main objective, telling them to blitz the opponent's quarterback all night. After one of his star players quits during the game, Yoast improvises by subbing in back-up Alan Bosley (Ryan Gosling) and delivered the legendary line "You make sure they remember, forever, the night they played the Titans. Leave no doubt!"

8 Glory Road - “Take It”

Glory Road

The most motivational speech in the basketball film Glory Road is delivered by head coach Don Haskins (Josh Lucas) to his Texas Western basketball team as they are just two minutes from winning a national championship. In the huddle during a timeout, Haskins reminds his players that the key to winning a championship is about heart and which team wants to win the most. His inspiring speech encourages the underdog basketball team to take the victory from the established favorites since they will not hand it over simply. The speech is a declaration of the required willpower that turns competitors into champions.

7 Field Of Dreams - “People Will Come”

Terence Mann looking at Ray with a small smile in Field of Dreams

James Earl Jones delivers one of the most iconic speeches in all sports movies in Field of Dreams . Terence Mann (Jones) paints a portrait of what the baseball filed will inspire if Ray (Kevin Costner) builds it in his cornfield. The speech intercuts with Ray's contemplation of whether he should sell his property to ensure that he won't lose all of his financial assets. The inspirational speech creates the vision of a magical baseball field that will captivate every fan and player's attention and will ultimately prevent Ray from having to sell his beloved property. Mann memorably reminds Ray that if he builds the field, people will come.

6 Friday Night Lights - “Perfect”

Friday Night Lights 2004

Before the popular Friday Night Lights television series began, a 2004 movie of the same name starred Billy Bob Thornton as Coach Gary Gaines. Gaines delivers a brutally raw and honest speech to his team of football players that reminds them of the fleeting nature of life, encouraging them to seize the opportunity to win while they still have it. Gaines reiterates to his team at their most crucial and vulnerable moment that his notion of being "perfect" is not about winning the game, but about becoming good, reliable people through the game. It's a poignant speech that dives into how life is much bigger than any sports game.

RELATED: 10 Saddest Sports Movie Moments That Will Definitely Make You Cry

5 We Are Marshall - “You Cannot Lose”

Matthew McConaughey and Matthew Fox in We Are Marshall

We Are Marshall is one of the most devastating sports films ever made with many tear-jerking moments. Coach Jack Lengyel (Matthew McConaughey) brings his college football team to the final resting place of former Marshall players and staff members who died in a tragic plane crash. In a grim yet powerful speech, Lengyel reminds his players that although their opponent is physically stronger and more efficient than them, they aren't aware of how passionate they are. Lengyel's message touches on the deepest motivation of any sports competition, which is the commitment and heart in every player and team that can fuel an underdog to victory.

4 Coach Carter - “Our Deepest Fear”

Samuel L Jackson on a basketball court in Coach Carter

One of the most motivational speeches in sports films is surprisingly not delivered by a coach but a player. In Coach Carter , point guard Timo Cruz (Rick Gonzalez) stands up and recites a poetic monologue that demonstrates the life lessons Coach Carter (Samuel L. Jackson) had taught him during their basketball season. Cruz begins by saying, "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure." The moment delivers one of the rare speeches in sports movies that is applicable to philosophy and life in all areas, making it exceptionally profound even to non-sports fans.

3 Rocky Balboa - “It’s Not About How Hard You Hit”

Rocky Balboa 2006

Another beautifully constructed speech that applies to life outside the ring can be found is 2006's Rocky Balboa . Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) gives an impassioned pep talk to his son that delicately criticizes and motivates him to rise to difficult challenges. One of the most poignant parts of the speech is when Rocky says, "It ain't about how hard you can hit, but about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward." It's an incredible message about the importance of resiliency and overcoming obstacles in order to find success and happiness in life.

2 Miracle - “Great Moments Are Born From Great Opportunity”

Miracle 2004 Kurt Russell

In Miracle , Coach Herb Brooks (Kurt Russell) delivers one of the best pre-game speeches of all time. Brooks's command of the 1980 U.S. Men's Olympic Hockey team is akin to an army general, which is appropriate given the international tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War at the time. Brooks's speech is focused on the unification and determination required to achieve the highest form of victory. It stresses the importance of disavowing any self-doubt in order to make the most of rare opportunities when they are given.

1 Any Given Sunday - “Life Is A Game Of Inches”

Al Pacino as coach talking with football player in Any Given Sunday

The most inspirational speech in all sports movies is performed by Al Pacino in Any Given Sunday . Coach Tony D'Amato (Pacino) gives a speech that is motivational, heartfelt, relatable, and poetic all at once, proclaiming that life itself is a game of inches that must be earned, just like football. The speech is performed like a sermon that highlights the significance of margins of error in both football and life, which makes all the differences between winning and losing. D'Amato's speech perfectly combines passion, intelligence, and philosophy to create the most inspiring sports movie speech of all time.

  • Sports Movies
  • Accessories
  • Facial Hair

Browse all Get Style

  • Program Review

Browse all Get Strong

  • Relationships
  • Social Skills

Browse all Get Social

  • Manly Know-How
  • Outdoor/Survival

Browse all Get Skilled

in: Advice , Character , Featured

Brett & Kate McKay • August 28, 2008 • Last updated: July 11, 2023

8 Inspirational Football Locker Room Speeches

Knute Rockne football player locker room painting Arnold Friberg.

The college football season starts on Saturday (okay, technically Thursday. But I’m saying Saturday because that’s when Oklahoma plays. Boomer Sooner!). I love football. It’s one of the manliest sports. For it is truly the sport closest to combat. Men strategize in their war room, don their armor, and line up against their opponent. Victory is measured in territory gained, in how well one unit outmaneuvers the other. The game involves brute strength and keen physicality; it is a hand to hand, helmet to helmet fight, one man struggling against another. And yet at the same time, finesse, agility, and brilliant strategy are requisites for success and a team lives or dies solely on how well they work together as a team, as a unit.

Playing football in high school helped shape me into the man I am today. As I struggled through another practice in 100 degree heat and sweated through two-a-day practices, I learned to work hard and not quit. I learned that pain is often the only pathway to excellence. At the end of the game, when the scoreboard’s numbers were not as I had wished, I learned how to bounce back from failure and dedicate myself to being better the next time around. I experienced the awesome power of a group of men, striving together for the same goal. The friendships I made while playing football will last a lifetime.

The lessons of all sports carry over from the actual arena to the playing field of life. Rich is the man who, if only for a short time, feels the glory his body in peak condition, the bond of brothers, the sweet joy of victory and the agony of defeat. While the memories of such a time fade as a man grows older, the wisdom he gleans from the experience will echo throughout his life.

So in honor of the opening of the football season, and the great lessons all men can learn from this great game, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most inspiring football locker room speeches from both film and real life. The speeches we chose are not only inspiring for men about to hit the field, they’re motivating for those men who wish to walk out the door each day to school or work, ready to take on the world. Success in football requires heart, pride, and teamwork. Success in life requires the same.

Friday Night Lights

If you played football in high school, you can’t help but think about the young men you played next to while watching this clip. Coach Gary Gaines (Billy Bob Thornton) explains to his players what “being perfect” really means. It’s not about the score at the end of the game. It’s about looking your teammate in the eye and being able to say you did all you could. I can’t help but get a little teary eyed when the players say the Lord’s Prayer. My team in high school did the same thing and it instantly transports me back to that locker room in Edmond, OK.

I Am a Champion

Through a series of manly affirmations, this coach pumps the hell out of his players. How can you not get psyched to take down the competition with lines like these:

“I will rip the heart out of my enemy and leave it bleeding on the ground because he cannot stop me.”

Any Given Sunday

Warning: Some adult language

Life, like football, is a game of inches. Coach Tony D’Amato (Al Pacino) captures that analogy perfectly in this speech. An inch can make the difference between victory or defeat. And if you want to succeed in football or life, you have to fight for every inch. Never take anything for granted. Always keep fighting, even when everything seems stacked against you.

Knute Rockne

We’re big fans of Knute Rockne. And how can you not be? As a player he revolutionized the game with the forward pass and as a coach he became almost unstoppable. This is an actual clip from Knute Rockne’s famous “Inside ’em and Outside ’em” speech. In this locker room pep talk, Knute rouses his players with his machine gun delivery and excited gestures. The speech was so popular back in the day that young men bought recordings of it by the thousands and listened to it over and over, getting pumped to charge onto the playing field of life.

Remember the Titans

Okay, so technically this isn’t a locker room speech, but it’s still inspiring. It’s 1971, and Coach Herman Boone (Denzel Washington) has the onerous task of bringing together a team of black and white high school students in Virginia. The team isn’t gelling. So, in a stroke of pure rhetorical genius, Coach Boone takes his men on a jog to Gettysburg. In a stirring and solemn bit of oratory, he teaches his men a little about football, and a lot about life.

What would you do if you knew that this day would be your last day? How would you live? If you’re like me, you’d go balls out to make it the best damn day of your life. This coach revs his players up telling them to to play each play as if it was their final one on the field. We can all take a cue from this. Approach what you do in life as if it would be the last time you do it. Kiss your wife like it would be the last time. Play with your kids like it would be the last time. You never know. That kiss and playtime could be your last.

Rudy, Fortune The Facilities Manager

Sometimes we need an honest mentor to give us some perspective on ourselves. Rudy (Sean Austin) spent two years trying to get on the dress team of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. When it didn’t happen, he decides to quit. Thankfully, facilities manager Fortune (Charles S. Dutton) knocks some sense into Rudy and tells him what’s what. Quitting will only bring regret, he tells him. You gotta stay in it, even when things get tough, even when the odds are against you.

Georgia Tech Pre-Game Speech, Derrick Moore, Georgia Tech Chaplin

It’s 2007, and Georgia Tech is in South Bend to take on the Irish in their house. They definitely need to get fired up. Luckily they have this guy, Derrick Moore, to light a fire under ’em. Moore is pure intensity. He’s the team chaplain (who knew that team’s had one?) and brings an evangelical fervor to his oratory. The best part of the speech is when he quotes the words of his middle school teacher:

“We’re going to fight until we can’t fight no more. Going to lie down and bleed awhile. Going to get up; fight some more.”

Amen, brother. That’s how you win. Tenacity.

If you enjoyed the speech, check out player Tashard Choice quoting it before a game in which GA Tech goes on to upset Clemson. It’ll get you pumped.

Listen to our podcast on lessons from the gridiron’s greatest coaches:

Related posts.

A Manvotional-inspired poster for the Michigan football game.

  • pop Culture
  • Facebook Navigation Icon
  • Twitter Navigation Icon
  • WhatsApp icon
  • Instagram Navigation Icon
  • Youtube Navigation Icon
  • Snapchat Navigation Icon
  • TikTok Navigation Icon
  • newsletters
  • Youtube logo nav bar 0 youtube
  • Instagram Navigation Icon instagram
  • Twitter Navigation Icon x
  • Facebook logo facebook
  • TikTok Navigation Icon tiktok
  • Snapchat Navigation Icon snapchat

Complex Global

  • united states
  • united kingdom
  • netherlands
  • philippines
  • complex chinese

Work with us

terms of use

privacy policy

cookie settings

california privacy

public notice

accessibility statement

COMPLEX participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means COMPLEX gets paid commissions on purchases made through our links to retailer sites. Our editorial content is not influenced by any commissions we receive.

© Complex All Rights Reserved.

The Greatest Motivational Speeches in Sports History

It's Ray Lewis' birthday, so in honor of the future Hall of Famer, we look at some of the greatest speeches ever given in the history of sports.

In sports, the mental game is half the battle of any victory. You can train all you want, practice all you want, and run through every single play, but you still won't come out with the win if you and your teammates aren't mentally prepared. Great coaches all know this, from guys like Vince Lombardi to Jim Valvano . Being a great coach isn't just about managing personalities and laying out schemes, it's also about being a master motivator.

Of course, moments of great motivation in sports don't have to just come before, during, or after a game. They can happen in moments of honor or awards or vulnerability. As Kevin Durant 's MVP acceptance speech proved to us last week, an individual award can also be a platform for recognizing an entire team, and the sacrifices made by loved ones for the good of another human being. It's times like these that sports inspire, motivate, and energize all of us.

So, since it's Ray Lewis'  birthday today, and the former Baltimore Ravens All-Pro linebacker is one of the greatest emotional leaders in all of sports, we put together  The Greatest Motivational Speeches in Sports History for you to sit through and enjoy. Feeling like you need an extra push to get to the weekend? Sit back, and take a listen. After hearing one of these, you'll feel like you can climb Everest.

15. "I'm Hurt, Dawg."

Not Available Interstitial

Speaker : Ed Reed Date : 10/13/2001 Team : Miami Hurricanes Situation : Halftime of the 2001 Miami-Florida State rivalry game

Sometimes, a motivational speech doesn't have to be long in order to be effective. A moment that is short and sweet can easily be just as inspirational as long-winded oration, and with a man who is as soft-spoken as All-Pro safety Ed Reed, it shouldn't be surprising that his speech would go straight to the point. Back in his senior season with the Miami Hurricanes, Reed and his teammates found themselves down 21-13 at halftime against their rival Florida State, putting their perfect season in jeopardy.

However, as they were readying themselves to head back out onto the field, Reed delivered a few choice words to let his fellow 'Canes know that they needed to step it up. "I'm putting my heart in this shit, dawg," he screamed. "Let's go, man!" Thankfully, Reed's teammates heard him. The Hurricanes would score 27 points in the third quarter en route to a 49-27 victory.

14. Who Am I?

Not Available Interstitial

Speaker : Coach Flowers Date : Unknown Team : Leland High School JV football team Situation : Pre-game address for JV conference championship

In terms of intensity and preparation, Coach Flowers of the Leland Chargers takes the cake on this list. Firstly, he has his players ready to respond with the "I am a champion" remark. Secondly, he has a script in hand. Thirdly, he's playing music from The Last of the Mohicans in the background.

Honestly, the entire affair is borderline insane—especially when you consider that this was for a JV football game—but you have to love his commitment to the production, and if this doesn't get you motivated or pumped up in the least bit, then you should consider getting your pulse checked.

13. We Are BC

Not Available Interstitial

Speaker : Steve Addazio Date : 8/31/2013 Team : Boston College Eagles Situation : Pre-game address for Boston College's season opener

In his first season as the head football coach for the Boston College Eagles, Steve Addazio wanted to let his players know that they were part of something bigger than one season or one team. "We’re BC," he told them. "It’s not just about 11 on the field at one time...This program is built on the whole family."

Addazio was speaking of the entire Boston College football legacy, a lineage that spanned back for decades, and one that those players were now members of. And in his first game with the team, Addazio's players did well to represent that history, defeating the Villanova Wildcats 24-14.

12. Pissed Off For Greatness

Not Available Interstitial

Speaker: Ray Lewis Date:  5/28/2012 Team:  Stanford Cardinal men's basketball team Situation:  Pre-game address for the 2012 NIT semifinals

We've seen it countless times before throughout Ray Lewis' storied career: the Baltimore Ravens defensive leader acting as the team's emotional compass. However, we'd never really seen Lewis provide these services for another team until the Stanford Cardinal men's basketball team brought Lewis into their fold for the 2012 NIT tournament.

The NIT may not be that prestigious anymore, but that wasn't going to stop Stanford from making it a once-in-a-lifetime moment. With Lewis' help, the Cardinal learned they needed to be "pissed off for greatness." And clearly, they were. The team would go on to defeat their opponent, UMass, by a score of 74-64 before winning the entire tournament in the next round.

11. I Know Your Heart

Not Available Interstitial

Speaker : Derrick Moore Date : 9/1/2007 Team : Georgia Tech football team Situation : Pre-game address for Georgia Tech's season opener

As the team chaplain, Derrick Moore had a close relationship with the members of the 2007 Georgia Tech football team. And when the squad was getting ready to start up their 2007 season, he let those guys know how much it meant to them.

"It has truly been an honor to know each and everyone one of you by name," he began. "I know your heart." Delving into this relationship, Moore continues his speech with an evangelical fervor, letting each and every player know that they have what it takes to succeed. On that day, the Yellow Jackets proved Moore correct. They squashed the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 33-3.

10. Manic Aggression

Not Available Interstitial

Speaker : Paul O'Connell Date : 2/11/2007 Team : Ireland rugby team Situation : Pre-game address for Six Nations Test versus France

Rugby players are a different breed, as they willfully put their bodies on the line for every test without any of the protection that an American football game can offer. However, it's not just the physical differences that separate rugby players from the rest. It's also the mental aspect, as you'll see from Paul O'Connell's stirring, but intimidating, pre-test speech for Ireland's Six Nations test against France.

O'Connell wants his teammates to "put the fear of God" in their opponents, among other, equally intense objectives. Since the speech, O'Connell has admitted that he's now  "embarrassed"  about the moment (perhaps because Ireland ended up losing the test), but we believe that he still deserves recognition for rallying his teammates no matter how over-the-top his methods may have been.

9. We Got 30 Minutes For the Rest of Our Lives

Not Available Interstitial

Speaker : Tim Tebow Date : 1/8/2009 Team : Florida Gators Situation : 2009 BCS National Championship Game

With his Florida Gators knotted with the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2009 BCS National Championship Game, Tim Tebow wanted his team to come out of halftime ready to win. After a lackluster first half, the game was tied at just 7-7. However, Tebow declared that it wouldn't stay that way for long. "We get the ball, I can promise you one thing," he said. "We're gonna hit somebody, and we'll take it downfield for a touchdown." The Gators would make good on his guarantee, edging out the Sooners 24-14.

8. It's Not Going to Come Easy

Not Available Interstitial

Speaker : Vince Lombardi Date : 1/14/1968 Team : Green Bay Packers Situation : Pre-game addess for Super Bowl II

Vince Lombardi is the kind of legendary figure in sports whose presence and poise often meant more than his words. As the head coach for the Green Bay Packers, Lombardi led his team to the first two Super Bowl titles in NFL history, first over the Kansas City Chiefs, and then over the Oakland Raiders. However, in Super Bowl II, there were some who felt that the Raiders would have a chance to defeat the Packers after the hard-fought game Green Bay had endured against the Dallas Cowboys in the previous round.

Sensing a possible letdown, Lombardi let his team know what they needed to do in a succinct, but inspiring, pre-game speech. "Just hit, just run, just block, and just tackle," he told them. And it was as simple as that. Green Bay would go on to win 33-14.

7. It's About Us

Not Available Interstitial

Speaker : Drew Brees Date : 12/26/2011 Team : New Orleans Saints Situation : Post-game address after the Brees broke Dan Marino's single-season passing record

It isn't often that you see a player go out of their way to thank every member of the organization or the team that they're a part of after they've earned an award or broken a record. However, after breaking Dan Marino's long-standing record for most passing yards in a single season back in 2011, Drew Brees made sure that everyone in the locker room knew how much they meant to him when he was given the game ball by the coaching staff.

"It's about us," Brees said, as he thanked the equipment managers, the owners, his teammates, and seemingly everyone he could think of. At the end of the speech, it should be clear to everyone why the New Orleans Saints have enjoyed all the success they've earned with Brees at the helm: his unshakable belief in the concept of teamwork.

6. This Is Your Everest

Not Available Interstitial

Speaker : Jim Telfer Date : 6/21/1997 Team : British & Irish Lions Situation : Pre-game address for test against the Springboks

With the British & Irish Lions playing the underdog during their 1997 tour in South Africa, assistant coach Jim Telfer knew that he needed a way to properly inspire his Lions players to victory. And as they were readying for their first test against the Springboks, Telfer succeeded in his mission.

"You have an awesome responsibility on these eight individual forward's shoulders, an awesome responsibility," Telfer began. "This your f***ing Everest boys. Very few ever get the chance in rugby terms to get to Everest, the top of Everest. You have the chance." The Lions would seize the opportunity, winning their test series 2-1 in a considerable upset.

5. You're the Real MVP

Not Available Interstitial

Speaker : Kevin Durant Date : 5/6/2014 Team : Oklahoma City Thunder Situation : His acceptance speech for the 2013-14 NBA MVP Award

Last week, in what was one of the longest and greatest acceptance speeches ever, Kevin Durant gave an off-the-cuff and passionate explanation of what winning the NBA MVP Award meant to him, and how exactly he got there. Many were touched by the words he said about his mother, thanking her profusely for everything he gave him and the rest of their family. "When you didn't eat, you made sure we ate. You went to sleep hungry. You sacrificed for us. You're the real MVP," he said.

However, it wasn't just the love for his mother that grabbed everyone's attention. It was also the fact that Durant wanted to thank every single one of his teammates, especially his superstar counterpart Russell Westbrook, when detailing how he managed to earn the prestigious award.

For years, Durant had been labelled as "too nice," a sort of backhanded compliment that he finally managed to shed this year by ruthlessly dominating teams night in and night out. However, in his most vulnerable moment yet, everyone was glad to see that KD could still be the nice guy when the time called for it. KD's words motivated the Thunder to a 112-101 victory over the Clippers the following night.

4. It Ain't About One Play

Not Available Interstitial

Speaker : Ray Lewis Date : 1/22/2012 Team : Baltimore Ravens Situation : Post-game address for the 2012 AFC Championship Game

After a tough loss to the New England Patriots in the 2012 AFC Championship Game, the Baltimore Ravens weren't feeling good about themselves. A stripped pass in the end zone had prevented the Ravens from scoring the winning touchdown in the closing minute, and a missed field had kept them from tying it at the last second. However, Ray Lewis wasn't about to listen to anyone who wanted to moan about the loss or a single play.

"We fought as a team," he said in the locker room. "The fact is, we gotta come back and go to work." They certainly did. The Ravens would avenge their AFC Championship Game loss in the next season against the Patriots before capturing their second Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XLVII.

3. This is Our F***ing City

Not Available Interstitial

Speaker : David Ortiz Date : 4/20/2013 Team : Boston Red Sox Situation : Pre-game address to Boston fans

After the 2013 Boston Marathon tragedy, the city of Boston was in need of a boost to their morale. So, with the city turning out in huge number for the April 20 game against the Kansas City Royals, star player David Ortiz knew that he needed to bring up the crowd's spirits. It wasn't a long, eloquent speech, but it was incredibly effective.

First, Ortiz let them know that the Red Sox represented the city of Boston, and not just the franchise. After that, he thanked the Boston mayor, the Massachusetts governor, and all the public service employees who had helped Boston citizens during the horrific incident. Then, out of nowhere, Ortiz said his now-famous line: "This is our fucking city. And nobody gonna dictate our freedom. Stay strong." Mind you, this happened on live television. However, given the gravity of the moment, it's hard to believe that anyone would complain about Ortiz's sentiments.

2. Leave No Doubt

Not Available Interstitial

Speaker : Billl Stewart Date : 1/2/2008 Team : West Virginia Mountaineers Situation : Pre-game address for the 2008 Fiesta Bowl

Interim head coach Bill Stewart took over the West Virginia football team at a tumultuous moment. Former head coach Rich Rodriguez had just left the team to take the job as the Michigan Wolverines HC, leaving his Mountaineers players without their offensive mastermind and leader. However, Stewart wasn't willing to let his players get too down about it. With the Oklahoma Sooners waiting, Stewart needed his guys to be ready to play.

"Let 'em know," he told them. "Leave no doubt tonight! They shouldn't have played the old Gold and Blue!" He was right. The Mountaineers would dominate the Sooners by a score of 48-28, making the loss one of the worst in Bob Stoops' career as the Oklahoma head coach.

1. Don't Ever Give Up

Not Available Interstitial

Speaker : Jim Valvano Date : 3/4/1993 Team : N/A Situation : The 1993 ESPY Awards

With cancer ravaging his body, former NC State men's basketball coach Jimmy Valvano was determined to make one last stand to the public, delivering a speech at the inaugural ESPY Awards that would come to define his legacy.

During his speech, Valvano candidly explained the consequences of his illness, but still bravely rallied support for his cause, and remained adamant that no one give up hope. "I just got one last thing," he said. "I urge all of you, all of you, to enjoy your life, the precious moments you have." And on a closing note, Valvano famously expressed, "Cancer can take away all my physical abilities. It cannot touch my mind, it cannot touch my heart and it cannot touch my soul. And those three things are going to carry on forever."

Valvano would succumb to cancer on April 28, 1993. However, the Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research lives on to carry his name.

SHARE THIS STORY

8 Inspirational Football Locker Room Speeches

image-asset (48)

The college football season starts on Saturday (okay, technically Thursday. But I’m saying Saturday because that’s when Oklahoma plays. Boomer Sooner!). I love football. It’s one of the manliest sports. For it is truly the sport closest to combat. Men strategize in their war room, don their armor, and line up against their opponent. Victory is measured in territory gained, in how well one unit outmaneuvers the other. The game involves brute strength and keen physicality; it is a hand to hand, helmet to helmet fight, one man struggling against another. And yet at the same time, finesse, agility, and brilliant strategy are requisites for success and a team lives or dies solely on how well they work together as a team, as a unit.

Playing football in high school helped shape me into the man I am today. As I struggled through another practice in 100 degree heat and sweated through two-a-day practices, I learned to work hard and not quit. I learned that pain is often the only pathway to excellence. At the end of the game, when the scoreboard’s numbers were not as I had wished, I learned how to bounce back from failure and dedicate myself to being better the next time around. I experienced the awesome power of a group of men, striving together for the same goal. The  friendships  I made while playing football will last a lifetime.

The lessons of all sports carry over from the actual arena to the playing field of life. Rich is the man who, if only for a short time, feels the glory his body in peak condition, the bond of brothers, the sweet joy of victory and the agony of defeat. While the memories of such a time fade as a man grows older, the wisdom he gleans from the experience will echo throughout his life.

So in honor of the opening of the football season, and the great lessons all men can learn from this great game,  we’ve compiled a list of some of the most inspiring football locker room speeches from both film and real life.  The speeches we chose are not only inspiring for men about to hit the field, they’re motivating for those men who wish to walk out the door each day to school or work, ready to take on the world. Success in football requires heart, pride, and teamwork. Success in life requires the same.

Friday Night Lights

If you played football in high school, you can’t help but think about the young men you played next to while watching this clip. Coach Gary Gaines (Billy Bob Thornton) explains to his players what “being perfect” really means. It’s not about the score at the end of the game. It’s about looking your teammate in the eye and being able to say you did all you could. I can’t help but get a little  teary eyed  when the players say the Lord’s Prayer. My team in high school did the same thing and it instantly transports me back to that locker room in Edmond, OK.

I Am a Champion

Through a series of manly affirmations, this coach pumps the hell out of his players. How can you not get psyched to take down the competition with lines like these:

“I will rip the heart out of my enemy and leave it bleeding on the ground because he cannot stop me.”

The bagpipes in the background of this speech only up the manly vigor quotient

Any Given Sunday

Warning: Some adult language

Life, like football, is a game of inches. Coach Tony D’Amato (Al Pacino) captures that analogy perfectly in this speech. An inch can make the difference between victory or defeat. And if you want to succeed in football or life, you have to fight for every inch. Never take anything for granted. Always keep fighting, even when everything seems stacked against you.

Knute Rockne

We’re big fans of  Knute Rockne.  And how can you not be? As a player he revolutionized the game with the forward pass and as a coach he became almost unstoppable. This is an actual clip from Knute Rockne’s famous “Inside ’em and Outside ’em” speech. In this locker room pep talk, Knute rouses his players with his machine gun delivery and excited gestures. The speech was so popular back in the day that young men bought recordings of it by the thousands and listened to it over and over, getting pumped to charge onto the playing field of life.

Remember the Titans

Okay, so technically this isn’t a locker room speech, but it’s still inspiring. It’s 1971, and Coach Herman Boone (Denzel Washington) has the onerous task of bringing together a team of black and white high school students in Virginia. The team isn’t gelling. So, in a stroke of pure rhetorical genius, Coach Boone takes his men on a jog to Gettysburg. In a stirring and solemn bit of oratory, he teaches his men a little about football, and a lot about life.

What would you do if you knew that this day would be your last day? How would you live? If you’re like me, you’d go balls out to make it the best damn day of your life. This coach revs his players up telling them to to play each play as if it was their final one on the field. We can all take a cue from this. Approach what you do in life as if it would be the last time you do it. Kiss your wife like it would be the last time. Play with your kids like it would be the last time. You never know. That kiss and playtime could be your last.

Rudy, Fortune The Facilities Manager

Sometimes we need an honest mentor to give us some perspective on ourselves. Rudy (Sean Austin) spent two years trying to get on the dress team of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. When it didn’t happen, he decides to quit. Thankfully, facilities manager Fortune (Charles S. Dutton) knocks some sense into Rudy and tells him what’s what. Quitting will only bring regret, he tells him. You gotta stay in it, even when things get tough, even when the odds are against you.

Georgia Tech Pre-Game Speech, Derrick Moore, Georgia Tech Chaplin

It’s 2007, and Georgia Tech is in South Bend to take on the Irish in their house. They definitely need to get fired up. Luckily they have this guy, Derrick Moore, to light a fire under ’em. Moore is pure intensity. He’s the team chaplain (who knew that team’s had one?) and brings an evangelical fervor to his oratory. The best part of the speech is when he quotes the words of his middle school teacher:

“We’re going to fight until we can’t fight no more. Going to lie down and bleed awhile. Going to get up; fight some more.”

Amen, brother. That’s how you win. Tenacity.

If you enjoyed the speech, check out player Tashard Choice quoting it before a game in which GA Tech goes on to upset Clemson. It’ll get you pumped.

And now, just for the heck of it, drop the name of the college team you’ll be cheering on this season in the comments. Show your team pride!

Recent Posts

best pre game speeches ever

Unstoppable: Nick Koumalatsos on Thriving Beyond Obstacles

In the face of life’s trials, it is disheartening to witness how swiftly many relinquish their aspirations at the first…

best pre game speeches ever

What to do if you are stuck in life?

When I see this picture I can only see a depressed, frustrated, unfocused, undisciplined individual that is not living up…

best pre game speeches ever

Are we coddling our children?

A young man went to seek an important position at a large printing company. He passed the initial interview and…

SEE MORE ON

Nick's socials.

Get daily doses of wisdom, motivation, and practical insights by connecting with Nick on his social channels.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua

  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer

College Magazine logo

College Magazine

College Life, Colleges, Career & Campus Advice

10 Best Inspirational Speeches from Your Favorite Sports Movies

best pre game speeches ever

Slip in your headphones and click over to Youtube. Playing your favorite inspirational  sports movie speeches you’ve seen a thousand times can keep you going during rough times. You could do it before that final , in the late-night hours when you’re ready to give up on studying. Or perhaps before a big game of your own—a moment when you really needed to dig into your depths and pull out the kind of grit that sets the winners apart from the losers. Need some motivational videos to keep you going?

Check out these 10 motivational speeches from the sports movies you grew up watching.

1. “inch by inch”— any given sunday.

“I know if I am going to have any life anymore it is because, I am still willing to fight, and die for that inch because that is what living  is. The six inches in front of your face.”

In the last 18 years, this speech has been adapted to just about every sport. My team listened to it in silence the night before the last race of my high school rowing career, talk about a good pre-game speech. Then, in the final meters of that race, one of our team members screamed the words at us as we clawed for those inches past the other boat. I’ve never pushed my body so hard. Afterward, I closed that chapter of my life with satisfaction because I knew I gave it my all . We all play the game of inches to keep getting ahead in life. Whether you play football or need to get over an ex, we can strive for those tiny increments that measure our progression.

2. “Great Moments are Born from Great Opportunity”— Miracle

“One game. If we played ‘em 10 times, they might win nine. But not this game. Not tonight.”

Even if you haven’t seen the movie, this movie gave us the classic, inspirational speech to have ever graced film. It may not involve a ton of screaming or cursing. It may not push you into that animalistic place that we call “the zone.” The speech doesn’t make use of the theatric elements that some of the other films do. “ It’s brutally honest , but still inspiring,” Montgomery County Community College freshman Mark Fields said. “He tells them that the Soviets could win a majority of the games, but they won’t win the important ones because the American team worked hard and has something to play for…He pretty much says don’t hit the breaks—shock the world… [and] don’t waste the opportunity they worked so hard to get.” This inspirational speech speaks to you in a calm, determined way that just strikes a chord.

3. “I Don’t Care What the Scoreboard Says”— Hoosiers

“Forget about the crowds, the size of the school, their fancy uniforms, and remember what got you here.”

As college students, we’ve had enough life experience thus far to know that when we put in hard work, that doesn’t always lead to the W. Even if we give it our all, drifting to sleep atop our books in the library at 3 a.m., that doesn’t necessarily lead to the A. If you’re doing your best, isn’t that enough?

4. “Perfect”— Friday Night Lights

“To me, being perfect is not about that scoreboard out there. It’s not about winning. It’s about you and your relationship to yourself and your family and your friends.”

Can you look your friends in the eye and know that you’re telling the truth? That you gave it your all? If you can do that with love in your heart, that’s perfection, according to Coach Gaines in this beloved movie. His speech in this scene incites a moment of honesty, friendship and love among his team members. If it doesn’t choke you up, I don’t know what will. You may think that perfection means being the 4.0 honors student involved in five clubs and a paid internship, but it’s not. Perfection comes in that moment when you recognize that you are working toward a goal with the most pure intentions possible. And when it happens in communion with other people? Beautiful.

5. “It Ain’t About How Hard You Hit”— Rocky Balboa

“The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it.”

In this scene, the legendary Rocky Balboa gives his son a bit of a reality check by reminding him that life just isn’t fair. It’s just like boxing, and it doesn’t matter how hard you hit back, but how much you can take and keep moving forward. We all struggle, and most of us don’t talk about the truly difficult stuff we deal with at any given moment. So when finals hit with their hardest blows, don’t give up because you feel like your efforts to fight back don’t cut it. “He just says it with such confidence,” Boston College junior Daniel Dreiling said. “I think that’s what makes it so good.” Don’t succumb to the desperation. Take the blows and keep pushing.

6. Remember the Titans

“And you take a lesson from the dead. If we don’t come together, right now, on this hallowed ground, we too will be destroyed—just like they were.”

This speech definitely puts things in perspective and absolutely applies to circumstances greater than football. We’ve all had disagreements and biases toward other people. Maybe your best friend told you something about another girl that made you think of her in a less-than-flattering light. We do things like that all the time . It doesn’t matter how you feel about another person. You give them respect —end of story. Without respect, we crumble.

7. “There’s No Crying in Baseball”— A League of Their Own

“Are you crying? Are you crying? Are you crying?! There’s no crying!”

This inspirational speech might not have some deep, insightful message that moves you to your core. But do you really need that when Tom Hanks yells the same phrase in hysterics over and over again? “There’s no crying in baseball!” Sometimes we just need a reminder to cut it out with the self-pity . In the middle of a game, or test or interview, you can’t just stop and sob. You get it together and get on with it. Thank you for the sound advice right there, Tom.

8. Coach Carter

“Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.”

The first few words of this speech should sound familiar. They were borrowed from a poem written by Marianne Williamson titled “Our Deepest Fear.” Perhaps our we don’t fear inadequacy. Have you ever even considered that, deep down, you really fear reaching the full potential of your power? Maybe we really do set ourselves up to “play small.” We should not be ashamed of confidence.

9. Gridiron Gang

“Now it’s time to see who has a heart.”

This movie might not make it into everyone’s top 10 sports movies, but it adds a message to the mix that hasn’t really been touched upon yet. At some point in your life, other people probably have—for whatever reason—made you feel like something less than a person. But you are somebody . Don’t forget that.

10. “Pride”— Cool Runnings

“Well you want to know what I see? I see pride! I see power! I see a bad-a** mother who don’t take no crap off nobody!”

We all get down on ourselves, especially in college, an insulated community that thrives off of competition and comparison. Your GPA or perceived social standing do not define you. You are special. You are awesome. This scene shows you how to own that, and if it requires some shouting in a mirror to get the message across, then hey, I say go for it.

10 More Inspirational Speeches to Get You Through College

Written by Lily Holmes

11. The Blind Side

“Are you gonna protect the family, Michael?”

If T he Blind Side doesn’t top your list of favorite Sandra Bullock movies, watch this scene again and remember the girl boss character that is Lee Ann Tuohy. In this scene, main character Lee Ann reminds Michael Orr that his football team is his family, and that he needs to protect the family. Remember this scene when you need to be the mom of the group after a night out.

12. We are Marshall

“How you play today, from this moment on, is how you will be remembered. This is your opportunity to rise from these ashes and grab glory. We are…Marshall!”

Ah, another tear jerker, but nonetheless one of the best speeches by Matthew McConaughey’s character, Jack Lengyel. Duke sophomore Coleman Williams said, “The Thundering Herd show that even through adversity and times of struggle, a community can come together through football.” Remember this speech when the fans around you in the stands at your team’s game seem to give up.

13. Friday Night Lights

“Clear eyes, full Hearts, can’t lose”

If you didn’t shed a tear when Coach Taylor mentioned Jason Street getting paralyzed in the first game of the season, by the end of this halftime pep-talk, hearing “ Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose ” as the Dillon Panthers go on to win their state title should at least warm your heart. Wake Forest student Sarah Jane Miles said, “FNL is an amazing, real, heartwarming show that I couldn’t stop watching once I started. It doesn’t hurt having Tim Riggins to look at, either.” This speech should hype you up after you decide to stay in the night before a test despite peer pressure.

14. The Mighty Ducks

“Ducks fly together.”

In this Mighty Ducks halftime speech, Coach Bombay motivates a group of pre-teen ducklings who are down a few points by noting their character outweighs how they play. He says that to win, they need to be themselves. Following the corny speech, every player stands up to recite their hometown, bringing this misfit hockey team together under the USA logo. The same corniness happens when you finally solidify your college squad and decide to stick together through finals and syllabus week, through thick and thin, making this one of the best sports movies out there.

“In this life, you don’t have to prove nothin’ to nobody but yourself. And after what you’ve gone through, if you haven’t done that by now, it ain’t gonna never happen.”

In a dialogue between Rudy and ­Fortune, Rudy basically gets ripped to shreds for complaining he’s not good enough to start for Notre Dame. While, *spoiler alert,* Rudy eventually gets to play in a game, Fortune reminds him to stay humble and sit down (on the bench, literally). We could all use a little reality check  like that every once and a while.

16. Rocky IV

“Going in one more round when you don’t think you can: that’s what makes all the difference in your life.”

In Rocky IV, a victorious Rocky impassions his Communist audience to change their ways after defeating his Soviet competition, and he single handedly saves democracy in doing so! Just kidding. Maybe he can prevent our next government shutdown too.

17. The Replacements

“Pain heals. Chicks dig scars. Glory… lasts forever.”

Whether it’s the pain of a break up and moving on or the pain of losing the national championship to Alabama, watching The Replacements can heal you. In this “short and sweet” pep talk from Shane Falco, he opts for a brief rather than inspirational huddle. The pains we go through in college won’t last forever, but that degree will.

18. She’s the Man

“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.”

While Channing Tatum borrowed these words from a president, he still brings the famous quote up to sports-motivation levels. After Viola’s big identity reveal and pre-game winning goal, Duke gives us a little monologue about how they can achieve greatness with a girl on their team. What a guy. “She’s the man is a classic soccer team sleepover movie,” UVA sophomore Courtney Peters said. “It’s funny, lighthearted, and full of moments that are both cringeworthy and hilarious.”

19. The Sandlot

“Everybody gets one chance to do something great.”

When Benny can’t psych himself up to face the Beast, we all felt for him. Our own Beasts scare us every day. When we get our one chance, a dream closet ghost of Babe Ruth should come to our minds too. Ghost Babe Ruth, how do I hit a home run in messaging this Tinder guy?

20. High School Musical

“You only have 16 minutes left in a Wildcats uniform, so make it count.” 

The Wildcats make a habit of turning basketball into something that makes everyone want to jump into action with their catchy songs. But this speech right before the opening number of HSM 3  applies to more than the struggle between singing and sports. Remember this speech when you need to make your mark on campus before graduation.

** Updated on January 31, 2018 to include list items 11–20 by Lily Holmes .

10 More Inspirational Speeches from Your Favorite Sports Movies

Written by Jake Tammara

21. National Lampoon’s Van Wilder 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDOeBCHa5xs&ab_channel=MissPoste%2aargw27

Van Wilder  is one of Ryan Reynold’s earlier movies in which he stars as an undergraduate college student in his seventh year. Reynold’s character Van gives a speech to his school’s basketball team. He encourages them to step up their defense by stating, “I want you all over that ball like a fat kid on a cupcake!”  

“ I’ve seen Van Wilder at least two dozen times and I still laugh when I hear the cupcake line,” Rutgers University sophomore Andre Mirales said.  

National Lampoon’s Van Wilder  will surely leave the entire fraternity on the floor laughing.

22. Major League 2

In this comedy starring a young Charlie Sheen, the Cleveland Indians need to win more games if they want any chance to win the World Series. Their coach makes it clear to them that they’ll need a winning streak to hold any shot at the title. He then goes on to explain how to get on this winning streak they will need to win two more games. This 1994 sports film remains one that stands out as a film shot before most of Charlie Sheen’s many scandals.  

23. The Program

A 1993 film about football,  The Program  portrays a more realistic and honest version of the game than most other movies. In the film, the ups and downs of a college football program make viewers understand the harsh reality of the sport. In a scene with the team and their coach Sam Winters, he assures his team they have what it takes to win it all, telling them, “ We’re  Gonna  Ring the Bell .”   

24. Poolhall Junkies

In this movie about billiards, Christopher Walken gives what’s known as “The Lion Speech” to Johnny, a contender in a pool competition. Reminding Johnny who the king of the jungle is, Walken’s character Uncle Mike gives the audience one of his most memorable performances.  Poolhall Junkies  may just inspire you to take up the sport yourself. 

25. Field of Dreams

One of the most classic films about baseball ,  Field of Dreams  tells the story about a small-town farm owner named Ray who turned his land into a baseball field. When financial struggles accrue, Ray is urged to sell the land in order to stay afloat.  

“Everyone knows that Field of Dreams has some of the most memorable movie quotes: ‘If you build it, they will come,’” Purdue University alumnus Malcolm Haines said.  

Longtime baseball fan and author Terrence Mann, played by James Earl Jones, convinces Ray to hold onto the field, ensuring everyone that “people will come.”

26. Little Giants  

This 1994 film about a children’s football team features comedy genius Rick Moranis as the team’s head coach Danny O’Shea. When his underdog squad seems to be running out of confidence, he needs to come up with a plan. Coach O’Shea sits them all down in the locker room and tells them the story of how he never could beat his neighbors when they raced. He goes on to explain how eventually, he won… just one time. This speech turned out to be just enough to enhance his self-worth and in turn the teams’ as well.

27. Bull Durham  

Another baseball movie,  Bull Durham  tells the tale of a minor league team and their new pitcher Nuke. Crash Davis, the team’s catcher, decides to take Nuke under his wing and show him the ropes of the minor leagues. In the middle of the film, the audience gets to hear Crash rant about what he believes the rules of baseball should be and boy , does he have a list.

28. Facing the Giants

Though the movie may be about a southern high school football team,  Facing the Giants  contains lessons that can resonate with students of all ages. In one scene, the team’s coach encourages his player to carry his teammate across the field on his back, telling him to do, “Your Very Best!” This iconic scene went viral for showing just how strong someone can be when they put their all into something.  

29. The Wrestler  

A film that contains everything from drama to action,  The Wrestler  provides something for every movie lovers’ taste. The story follows Randy “The Ram” Robinson, played by former boxer Mickey Rourke. In his final round, which he can foretell will be his last, shows appreciation to the fans that loved him since the beginning.  The Wrestler  may not sound like a dramatic film that could pull at the heart strings, but after watching the final speech in the film viewers will surely struggle to hold back their tears.

30. Moneyball  

After walking in on his baseball team basically partying in the locker room after losing a game, Brad Pitt’s character Billy Beane completely loses his cool. Frustrated to say the least, Beane is not very pleased with his roster’s attitude towards competition.  

“I’ve seen every Brad Pitt movie and Moneyball definitely has to be in his top 10, if not top five. Movies based on true stories always make for the best films in my opinion,” Stockton University senior Daniel Franco said.  

As the general manager for the MLB team the Oakland Athletics, he feels ashamed to see his team having so much fun after a loss. He questions the men, curiously asking them,“Is losing fun?” leaving them silent and embarrassed by their actions.

** Updated on March 17, 2021 to include list items 21–30 by Jake Tammara. 

best pre game speeches ever

About Shannon Longworth

Shannon is a junior at Boston College, studying English and Communication. Her passions include running, reading, and eating endless jars of peanut butter.

MOST POPULAR posts

Gifts Your Girlfriend Actually Wants

147 Gifts Your Girlfriend Actually Wants

best pre game speeches ever

50 DIY Gifts Your Boyfriend Will Actually Appreciate

best pre game speeches ever

134 Gifts for Parents That They Actually Want

signs a girl likes you

32 Signs a Girl Likes You as More Than a Friend

innovative products big bang theory

21 Innovative Products Every College Student Wants

best college marching bands

Top 10 College Marching Bands

MORE LIKE THIS

best pre game speeches ever

Top 10 Collegiate Archery Programs

21st birthday shot book

How to Make a 21st Birthday Shot Book

best pre game speeches ever

The Top 21 Female YouTubers of 2021

best pre game speeches ever

Top 10 Professor Expectations to Help Students Get the Most Out of College

hands on the uneven bars

Top 10 Collegiate Gymnastics Programs in the U.S.

best pre game speeches ever

21 Different Ways to Say “You’re My Person”

check out these trending posts

best pre game speeches ever

Top 10 Universities for Sorority Life in the United States

hottest girls

Top 10 Colleges with Remarkable Women 2019

best pre game speeches ever

Top 10 Clothing Stores for Students

marine biology

The 10 Best Colleges for Marine Biology

top schools for hookups

Top 10 Colleges for Hookups

best pre game speeches ever

Top 10 Universities for Runners That’ll Make You Run Like the Wind

  • Passion Power Purpose (Album)
  • Dare To Be Different (Album)
  • Freedom (Album)
  • RECHARGE (Album)
  • Headphones ON, World OFF – Workout Music Album
  • UPGRADE YOUR MIND (Album)
  • Better Than Yesterday – Motivational Speeches Album
  • Reinvent Yourself – Motivational Speeches Album
  • Uncommon Being – Motivational Speeches Album
  • Tom Bilyeu – Motivational Speeches (ALBUM)
  • Greatest Hits – Album + CD
  • 10% Human 90% Beast – Gym Motivational Speeches (Album)
  • They Will Never Define Me – Album
  • Working On The Dream – Album
  • Strong Mind, Strong Life – Album
  • Feed Your Mind With Success – Album
  • Born Ready – Album
  • Hard Work Pays Off – Album
  • Success And Nothing Less (Album)
  • Today Is The Day (Album)
  • Fear Less Dominate More – Album
  • Hungry For Success – Album
  • Background Music
  • Motivational Quotes
  • The Great Teachers
  • Entrepreneur
  • Self Development
  • Money & Success
  • Athlete Motivation
  • Fitness Motivation
  • Inspirational Quotes
  • Mental Health
  • Motivational Speeches
  • Spirituality
  • Sports Motivation
  • Success & Self Help Books
  • The Law of Attraction
  • Wealth Building
  • Using Our Music
  • Licensing – YouTube Videos
  • Suggestions

Fearless Motivation – Motivational Videos & Music logo

  • PREVAIL (Lyrics) Fearless Motivation Ft. The Julianno
  • SHOW UP (Lyrics) Fearless Motivation
  • BLAME GAME (Lyrics) Fearless Motivation
  • Heroes (Lyrics) Fearless Motivation Ft. The Julianno

best pre game speeches ever

If This Epic Pre Game Speech Doesn’t Fire You Up.. Check Your Pulse

Sports and epic speeches seem to go hand in hand. If you need a hit of motivation scroll down. 

One of the most motivational speeches is Al Pacino from Any Given Sunday but another epic pep talk is the pre game speech delivered by Kurt Russell in Miracle.  

The film is based on the 1980 hockey Olympics match between the unbeatable  Soviet Union and the huge underdogs the United States.

In the film, the United States was greatly outnumbered in size and experience.

The task before them seemed impossible.

But Kurt Russell, playing the US coach Herb Brooks, delivers the incredible miracle speech to motivate his team. 

If This Epic Pre Game Speech Doesn’t Fire You Up 🔥 Check Your Pulse

Here are three lessons you can take from the iconic speech.

When It’s Your Time, Be Ready | Epic Pre Game Speech

As Herb Brooks said, “Great moments are born from great opportunity.” The best moments in sports and life always happen when a moment is seized.

Whether it’s Tom Brady stepping up to win another Super Bowl or Michael Jordan making so many clutch shots for game winners.

The reasons these moments were made was becuase they made them happen. Without hard work, consistency and dedication they would have never been able to perform on the biggest stages.

Ask yourself, are you putting in the work to set yourself up for big moments?

Are you doing the little things, day in and day out, to get the chance to shine when your opportunity arrives?  

If This Epic Pre Game Speech Doesn't Fire You Up 🔥 Check Your Pulse

Quit Worrying About the Odds | Epic Pre Game Speech

As Kurt Russell said in the film, “If we played them 10 times they would win nine. But not this game. Not tonight.” If you are trying to achieve something great in your life, chances are the odds are stacked against you.

Whether you’re trying to become a professional athlete, build an epic business or win a marathon, the odds are most likely against you. That’s ok, if it was easy everyone would do it!

The problem is that so many people see the odds and don’t even try. Remember, the biggest failure in life is not trying.

When the odds are against you think to yourself how great it will feel when you defy all expectations. Don’t forget, the United States went on to complete the ultimate victory despite the odds being stacked against them.

No one in the world believed it was possible. They believed .

If This Epic Pre Game Speech Doesn't Fire You Up 🔥 Check Your Pulse

Always Believe in Yourself | Epic Pre Game Speech

Do you believe in yourself with 100% confidence? As Kurt Russell said to close the speech in Miracle, “Tonight, we are the greatest hockey team in the world.”  

He gave them these final words before the Olympians took the ice. These words helped them believe in themselves. 

You have to have to have 100% belief in yourself or else you’ll never make it happen. Don’t worry about people telling you that you’re not good enough, smart enough or talented enough.

Choose to believe in yourself.

If you haven’t seen the movie Miracle I highly recommend it as the movie is incredibly inspirational. Remember, miracles exist but you have to put in the work to make them happen.

If you aren’t willing to do the work when no one is watching you’ll never get your chance to be a champion.

One Response

' src=

I think this has been the motivation I’ve always needed..thank you so much.I will never forget this website evn in days of my victory

Leave a Reply Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

  • Entertainment
  • Relationships
  • Oral History
  • Digital Culture
  • Policy & Politics
  • Physical Health
  • Mental Health
  • Sexual Health
  • Personal Finance
  • Style & Beauty
  • Tasha Reign

Article Thumbnail

What Makes a Good Pregame Speech?

Coaches—from Pee-Wee to the NCAA—on what fires us up

Back in November, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston tried to give his team a fiery, “Eat a W!”-centric pregame speech to pump them up. It was…not entirely successful?

It’s always a surprise to see a bad motivational speech, because whether it’s Al Pacino moving beefy foot players to tears in the locker room or Kyle Chandler doing, well, the exact same thing , we’ve become accustomed to coaches in movies and TV shows delivering rousing last-minute speeches to inspire their team to victory.

But since most real-life coaches don’t have access to award-winning writing teams, how do they approach their pregame speeches? Do they prepare something in advance? Ad-lib something on the spot? Do they really even make speeches at all? Here’s what coaches at all different levels told us about the art of the pregame speech.

Rod Firestone, Pee-Wee basketball coach: I’ve coached several teams in the past five years, and what makes a good pregame speech has changed from year to year. Last year, the speeches felt like the most important: Our team was smaller than most other teams in the league, and we struggled to win a single game through the entire season, which meant the speeches carried a sort of weight that they hadn’t in the past. I wasn’t motivating my team to win — I was motivating them to continue to feel inspired in the face of defeat.

The pregame speeches I gave were never prepared. In the last few games of the season I focused very little on the game plan. Instead, I told them the truth: That I, too, was frustrated, but that I was inspired by their level of effort when they were down 20 points with a few minutes left in the game.

I think what makes a good pregame speech isn’t so much about firing up your team, but getting them to a place where they can block out the chatter and focus their attention on the moments.

Matt Schaffer, men’s high school water polo and swimming coach: I like to prepare three points to focus on during my pregame speech, mainly because before a game, meet or regata, athletes are all over the place, and if you give them too much info, they won’t focus on the right stuff.

For water polo, I’ll usually start by telling the team that defense is our priority. Second, I’ll present a team goal, like no counter-attack goals scored on us. Then I’ll move from the heady stuff to something more emotional. With water polo, for freshman boys, its all about pride: “Let’s do our best in this game so we can get in the winners brackets, or let’s get a winning record or league championship. Let’s not end this tournament on a loss. Now is the time to show your teammates and yourself what you’re capable of.”

It’s important for the heady stuff to come first because that’s when you have their analytical attention. You want to end on something that’s going to get them fired up and ready to go.

Robbie Church, Duke University women’s soccer coach: The key to a good pregame speech is keeping it short and sweet. It also helps if you bring facts with your points and that you’re able to speak from your heart. It used to be a lot more emotional and tugging at the heartstrings. Now I don’t think the emotional part is as strong: People want more substance. What’s the feedback? What’s the tactic? Instead of talking about the pride of Duke, they just want to know what has to happen in order to get the win.

I always read attention spans and body language to see how connected the players are to what I’m saying. I will alter or skip something in the moment based on their feedback. I may have a paper in front of me, but that’s more of a security blanket. In some cases, I’ve had a speech prepared, but as soon as I look at the players, I can tell when they don’t need a pregame speech and that they’re ready to play.

John Speraw , head coach of the men’s national volleyball team as well as UCLA’s men’s volleyball team: It can be different at different times. The sort of, “Let’s get out there and charge!” speech has never been my style, especially because after you leave the locker room, you have 45 minutes to warm up. Instead, I stick with reminders about tactics and tendencies. I remind the players about how we want to play and about how they should focus on controlling what they can control. It’s less about the outcome and more about how to manage the moment, the intangible elements and your own competitive energy and focus. It’s talking about who we want to be and our values — and for Team USA about how we want to represent our country. That always resonates for long-term performance.

With every team, it’s important to understand key terms. When I coach at UCLA, it’s about being competitively relentless when things aren’t going our way. For Team USA, it’s about trust, honor and grit. I have them visualize the scenarios that exhibit our values. Pregame speeches, in my opinion, are less about the “ra ra” and more about really simple, tactical reminders, because during that time, there isn’t much higher level brain function going on.

best pre game speeches ever

Andrew Fiouzi

Andrew Fiouzi is a staff writer at MEL.

Recommended Reading

  • Culture: ‘2 Girls 1 Cup’: An Investigation Into the Web’s Shittiest Mystery
  • Culture: What It’s Like to Be a Guy Who Doesn’t Clean His Ass
  • Culture: Our Age-Old Quest to Find a Porn Star Who Looks Like the Girl Next Door
  • Culture: Real Italians Put Hot Dogs and French Fries on Their Pizza

best pre game speeches ever

  • Top Sport Brands
  • Basketball Brands
  • Swimwear Brands
  • Sneaker Brands
  • Tennis Rackets
  • Bowling Shoes
  • Polo Shirt Brands
  • Fitness Gear
  • Sportswear Brands
  • Surfing Brands
  • Tennis Apparel
  • Running Clothes
  • Moto Clothing
  • Skateboard Clothing Brands
  • Running Shoe Brands
  • Snowboard Clothing Brands
  • Rock Climbing Shoes
  • Wakeboard Brands
  • Women's Basketball Shoe Brands
  • Fishing Clothing
  • Wrestling Apparel
  • Cheer Clothing
  • Exercise Brands
  • Hiking Apparel
  • Hiking Shoe Brands
  • Snowboard Brands
  • Golf Club Brands
  • Soccer Clothing
  • Hiking Pants
  • Yoga Clothing
  • Treadmill Brands
  • Women's Running Shoe Brands
  • Golf Brands
  • Bodybuilding Apparel Brands
  • Athleisure Brands for Women
  • Ski Apparel Brands
  • Running Shorts
  • Men's Athleisure
  • Tent Brands
  • Football Gear
  • Skateboard Brands
  • Baseball Apparel
  • Kayak Brands
  • Soccer Brands
  • Athleisure Pants
  • Walking Sandals
  • Skate Shoe Brands
  • Surfboard Brands
  • Basketball Shoe Brands for Men
  • Basketball Shorts Brands

Famous Sports Speeches

William Neckard

Famous sports speeches highlight some of the greatest speeches about sports in the history of athletics. From famous speeches by athletes to legendary speeches by coaches, many of the most memorable sentiments in sports history are here on this sports speech list. This list includes motivational speeches for athletes, pump up speeches, and just the most all around famous sport speeches.

If " great moments are born from great opportunity ," then these famous sports speeches helped those opportunities become great moments by providing the motivation to achieve the impossible. What are the most famous sports speeches? From the pre-game pump-up speeches by coaches before championship games to the reflection speeches given after great careers, these famous sports speeches are some of the best ever.

What are the greatest speeches in sports? While sports movies like Any Given Sunday  and Hoosiers give plenty of fictional inspiring speeches , these speeches took place in real life and inspired generations to come.

Jimmy Valvano

Jimmy Valvano

Appearing at the first ESPY Awards on March 3, 1993, former North Carolina State basketball coach Jimmy Valvano gave an emotional and motivational speech while accepting the Arthur Ashe Courage and Humanitarian Award. Valvano was suffering from cancer at the time, announcing The V Foundation and urging everyone to laugh, think and cry everyday, words that also appeared on his tombstone after he lost his battle with cancer less than two months later.

Lou Gehrig

Showing strength and optimism in the face of adversity, baseball legend Lou Gehrig gave the famous "Luckiest Man on the Face of the Earth" speech during a New York Yankees game on July 4, 1939, which was also deemed Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day.

Only days earlier, the six-time World Series champion had retired from the game after he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

"Fans, for the past two weeks you have been reading about the bad break I got. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth. I have been in ballparks for seventeen years and have never received anything but kindness and encouragement from you fans... So I close in saying that I might have been given a bad break, but I've got an awful lot to live for. Thank you."

Herb Brooks

Herb Brooks

Speaking to his players prior to a game at the 1980 Winter Olympics, legendary hockey coach Herb Brooks inspired his squad to complete the impossible and beat the dominant Soviet team. They did just that, completing the "Miracle on Ice" and went on to win the gold medal.

Though the original speech was done in a private locker room, in the 2004 film Miracle , Kurt Russell recreated the speech.

"Great moments are born from great opportunity, and that's what you have here tonight, boys. That's what you've earned here tonight. One game; if we played them ten times, they might win nine. But not this game, not tonight. Tonight, we skate with them. Tonight we stay with them, and we shut them down because we can. Tonight, we are the greatest hockey team in the world. You were born to be hockey players—every one of you, and you were meant to be here tonight. This is your time. Their time is done. It's over. I'm sick and tired of hearing about what a great hockey team the Soviets have. Screw 'em. This is your time. Now go out there and take it!"

Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali

Prior to fighting George Foreman on October 30, 1974, Muhammad Ali read this poem as part of the build-up for the fight known as "The Rumble in the Jungle." Ali won the fight in the eighth round, pulling off one of the biggest upsets in the history of boxing.

Babe Ruth

Frail and in pain from nasopharyngeal carcinoma, the legendary baseball player Babe Ruth made one last appearance at Yankee Stadium for "Babe Ruth Day" on April 27, 1947, to give his farewell speech. The Bambino addressed the sell-out crowd of over 60,000 by reflecting on his journey to the big leagues and inspiring generations to follow in his footsteps.

"Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen.

You know how bad my voice sounds -- well it feels just as bad.

You know this baseball game of ours comes up from the youth. That means the boys.

And after you're a boy and grow up to know how to play ball, then you come to the boys you see representing themselves today in your national pastime, the only real game -- I think -- in the world, baseball.

As a rule, some people think if you give them a football, or a baseball, or something like that -- naturally they're athletes right away.

But you can't do that in baseball.

You've gotta start from way down [at] the bottom, when you're six or seven years of age. You can't wait until you're fifteen or sixteen. You gotta let it grow up with you. And if you're successful, and you try hard enough, you're bound to come out on top -- just like these boys have come to the top now.

There's been so many lovely things said about me, and I'm glad that I've had the opportunity to thank everybody.

Vince Lombardi

Vince Lombardi

Easily considered one of the best National Football League coaches ever, the great Vince Lombardi gave this final speech to his players on the Green Bay Packers prior to Super Bowl II on January 14, 1968. Lombardi's team defeated the Oakland Raiders 33-14 to win their second-consecutive Super Bowl. His legacy was later honored with the Super Bowl trophy being renamed the Lombardi Trophy.

best pre game speeches ever

logo, cactuslands, outdoor, adventure, gear, red tent

Page not Found

404 Error

cmb basketball training logo

The Ultimate Guide to Giving an Epic Pre-Game Basketball Speech

The Ultimate Guide to Giving an Epic Pre-Game Basketball Speech

Alright listen up coaches and team captains! It’s game day and you need to rally your troops with an inspirational pre-game speech. This is your chance to fire up your team and get them ready to leave it all on the court.

A great pre-game speech can be the difference between a lackluster performance and your team playing at their peak potential. Use this guide to craft an unforgettable pump up speech that will have your players fired up and focused. Let’s do this!

  • Tailor your speech to your specific team and game situation
  • Focus on confidence, effort, strengths and unity
  • Keep it short, simple and positive
  • Use stories, quotes, and humor when appropriate
  • End with a clear call to action

What Makes an Effective Pre-Game Speech?

An awesome pre-game speech accomplishes a few key things:

  • Motivates and inspires the team. A good speech taps into emotions and gets the adrenaline pumping. Use stories, challenges, and positive messages to fire up your team .
  • Builds confidence. Remind your team of their strengths, talents and preparation. Affirm your belief in them. Confidence is key!
  • Focuses on specific goals. Clearly communicate the game plan , adjustments or focus areas. Give them something specific to zero in on.
  • Enhances team spirit.  Pump up team camaraderie. Remind them they are one unit working toward a common goal.
  • Provides perspective.  Help them tune out distractions and pressures. Bring their focus back to simply playing the game.
  • Ends with a clear call to action.  Send them off with a rallying cry and clear mission for the start of the game.

An effective pre-game speech hits these marks in a way tailored to your unique team. Now let’s see this in action!

The Ultimate Guide to Giving an Epic Pre-Game Basketball Speech

Examples of Great Pre-Game Speeches

Need some inspiration? Here are a few legendary pep talks:

Gene Hackman in Hoosiers

This classic speech appeals to the underdog mentality with the famous line “Let’s win this one for all the small schools that never had a chance to get here.” Short, simple and motivating.

Al Pacino in Any Given Sunday

The famous “inches” speech fires on all cylinders. Pacino delivers an intense, profanity-laced call to action, ending with “We fight for that inch!” Epic.

Kurt Russell in Miracle

Russell as hockey coach Herb Brooks gives a masterclass in strategically breaking down and building up the team before their legendary upset win over the Soviets.

Denzel Washington in Remember the Titans

Washington portrays football coach Herman Boone, giving multiple inspirational and perspective-giving speeches in this classic film, including the famous “perfection” speech.

Tips for Crafting an Effective Pre-Game Speech

Use these tips to make your own pre-game speech one for the ages:

  • Keep it short  – Less is more. Aim for 1-5 minutes max.
  • Make it specific  – Customize it for your opponent and game situation.
  • Be positive  – Emphasize what they’re capable of, not failures.
  • Use stories  – Help them visualize succeeding through quick anecdotes.
  • Add some humor  – A laugh or smile can relax and energize them.
  • Focus on effort  – Hustle, heart and refusal to quit are controllable.
  • Emphasize unity  – Remind them they succeed and fail as one.
  • Be motivational  – Stoke their competitive fire at just the right temperature.
  • End strong  – Close with an inspiring rally cry to take the court on a high note.

Benefits of Pre-Game Speeches

Getting your team fired up with a well-crafted pep talk has some great upsides:

  • Increased motivation and effort
  • Sharper focus on the gameplan
  • Greater confidence in themselves and each other
  • More energy and intensity right from the opening tip
  • Stronger team cohesion and chemistry
  • Reduced anxiety and nerves
  • Ability to tune out distractions and pressures
  • Sense of inspiration and fun

Bringing these types of benefits can translate directly into playing better and getting the win. Now let’s look at how to set yourself up for speech success.

The Ultimate Guide to Giving an Epic Pre-Game Basketball Speech

Preparing to Give Your Pre-Game Speech

Giving a great pump up speech doesn’t just happen spontaneously. Follow these steps to set yourself up for maximum motivational impact:

Know Your Audience

Tailor your speech to your specific team’s personality and needs. What fires up this group?

Let Players Contribute

Consider having captains or seniors share motivational thoughts or favorite pump up songs.

Use Downtime for Prep

Brainstorm your key messages during warm ups, shoot around or stretching.

Time it Right

Deliver your speech about 5-10 minutes before game time when energy is already high.

Use Movement

Walk around, use passionate gestures, and make eye contact.

Bring Energy

Match your intensity to the energy you want them to take onto the court.

Have a Clear Outline

Bullet point your key ideas, stories, and call to action so you hit all your marks.

With the stage set, it’s time deliver a rousing speech that will echo off the rafters!

How to Deliver an Effective Pre-Game Speech

Here are some key tips for delivering your pump up speech powerfully:

  • Project your voice and enunciate clearly.
  • Use dramatic pauses for effect.
  • Establish eye contact and connect with each player.
  • Vary your tone, speed and inflection for emphasis.
  • Use their names when possible to personalize your message.
  • Repeat key phrases for maximum impact.
  • Use natural humor and smiles when appropriate to build rapport.
  • Hand out reminders like wristbands or tokens with your rallying cry.
  • Start off with energy and end even stronger.
  • Stick the landing! Your final call to action should be uncompromising and memorable. Sell it with passion and conviction.

Leave no doubt in their minds that victory awaits if they seize this moment to play unified, focused and with maximum heart and hustle. Let’s look at some examples of what not to do.

Examples of Poor Pre-Game Speeches

Learning what to avoid is also helpful, so here are some pre-game speeches that miss the mark:

  • Overly complex  – Too many points without focus makes your message get lost.
  • Too long  – Don’t burn precious energy with an overly long sermon. Keep things tight.
  • Spur of the moment  – Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. Have your key points ready.
  • Too emotional  – There’s a fine line between fired up and out of control. Keep perspective.
  • Panic inducing  – Excessive focus on the stakes can paralyze players. Keep it upbeat.
  • Meandering  – Rambling without a clear structure or purpose just confuses players.
  • Defeatist  – Don’t batter their confidence before the game even starts!

While these fall flat, your speech will soar by avoiding these pitfalls. Let’s recap what not to do.

The Ultimate Guide to Giving an Epic Pre-Game Basketball Speech

Common Pre-Game Speech Mistakes to Avoid

Steer clear of these common errors to ensure your speech hits the right notes:

  • Too long, complex or disorganized.
  • Forgetting your specific audience and game situation.
  • Focusing on the opposition instead of your own team’s strengths.
  • Including too many technical details about scheme and strategy.
  • Overly focusing on past failures or shortcomings. Dwelling on the negative saps motivation and confidence.
  • Getting overly emotional like screaming or losing composure. Channel that passion effectively.
  • Leaving the team flat rather than fired up with an unambiguous call to action.

Avoid these mistakes, and your speech will have your team’s blood pumping and raring for tip-off!

An epic pre-game speech that gets your team focused, fired up, and ready to empty their full effort into the battle ahead can be a decisive factor in sports. Follow the guidance in this article to craft and deliver pump up speeches that hit all the right notes for your squad.

Tailor your message, keep it simple and positive, tell inspiring stories, and end with a clear, passionate call to action. Harness the power of your words to unlock your team’s true potential when it matters most.

This is your time. Have faith in yourself and your players. Now go out there and give that speech everything you’ve got! Your team is counting on you to set the stage for victory. You’ve got this coach! Let’s go out and win this one together!

Related Posts

How to appropriately discipline your basketball team.

men playing basketball

Free Printable Basketball Stats Sheet – PDF – XLS & Google Sheet

best pre game speeches ever

The Case For Getting Rid of The 3pt Line In Youth Basketball

basketball spectator and parent

How Is Your Basketball Team Dealing with Parents

basketball parent contract

5 Tryout Tips To Help You Make Your Basketball Team

Team Building in Youth Basketball Practice

Simple Quick Hitter Baseline Inbounds Play Against 2-3 Zone

Simple Quick Hitter Baseline Inbounds Play Against 2-3 Zone

  • EXPLORE Random Article
  • Happiness Hub

How to Give a Speech Before a Championship Game

Last Updated: January 17, 2023 References

This article was co-authored by Patrick Muñoz . Patrick is an internationally recognized Voice & Speech Coach, focusing on public speaking, vocal power, accent and dialects, accent reduction, voiceover, acting and speech therapy. He has worked with clients such as Penelope Cruz, Eva Longoria, and Roselyn Sanchez. He was voted LA's Favorite Voice and Dialect Coach by BACKSTAGE, is the voice and speech coach for Disney and Turner Classic Movies, and is a member of Voice and Speech Trainers Association. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 29,036 times.

No matter what your sport or activity, a championship game can be an emotionally charged experience for participants. Some may feel excited and energized, while others may be anxious and nervous. [1] X Research source It's important that players feel both relaxed and prepared before the game begins. A good pre-game speech should adequately prepare players for what they are about to experience and give them the motivation they need to achieve victory.

Preparing the Content of Your Speech

Step 1 Prepare your speech in advance.

  • To pose a rhetorical question, you might say, “Are you ready to push yourself harder than you ever have before?”
  • To use a powerful quote, you could say, “A man named Ferdinand Foch once said, ‘The will to conquer is the first condition of victory.’”
  • An brief story might look like this: “Rudy Ruettiger was a kid who no one gave a chance at anything in his life. He fought for everything he got. Because he never gave up, he achieved his dream of playing football for Notre Dame and helped lead his team to victory.”

Step 4 Only include up to 3 points of strategic or instructional information in your speech.

  • For example, you could focus on a technique from practice by saying, “Remember to drop your shoulder before you swing.”
  • To point out key elements of the opponent's strategy, you might say, “This team favors their running game over their passing game. Keep an eye on the running backs.”

Step 5 Build players’ self-confidence.

  • Don’t dwell on negative faults like this: “You’re too heavy on your feet when you put your weight in your heels. Don’t do that on the field.”
  • Instead, use positive language to remind players of good form: “Stay on your toes, like we’ve been doing in practice. Remember how quickly you can pivot when you’re on your toes.”

Step 6 Close with a call to action.

  • “Now let’s go out there and bring home this trophy!”
  • “Show them that you’re the team to beat!”

Adding Emotional Impact

Step 1 Use words that are clear and direct.

  • Other ideas for props include bringing in a sledgehammer to smash the competition, a lasso to pull the team together, or glasses with blinders to focus attention on the competitor facing them.

Step 5 Use call-and-response moments to actively involve players in your speech.

  • Ask questions with obvious answers: “Who are we going to beat today?” or “How bad do you want this championship title?”
  • Give players the appropriate response by setting up a call and response: “When I say ‘go,’ you say ‘win’! Go!” And they respond, “Win!” Repeat the same call and response several times to build momentum and excitement.

Step 6 Practice your speech several times before the championship game.

Developing a Dynamic Delivery for Your Speech

Step 1 Make eye contact with the players as you deliver your speech.

Expert Q&A

  • Practice your speech until you are comfortable reciting it with passion and without looking at your notes. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • Stay positive in your language and in your demeanor. Keep your head up and look your players in the eyes while you’re delivering your speech. Smile when appropriate. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • Believe that the players can win the championship game. If you don’t honestly believe they are going to win, the players are going to be able to tell you don’t have faith in them. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

Become Taller Naturally

Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you'd like to learn more about giving a speech, check out our in-depth interview with Patrick Muñoz .

  • ↑ http://believeperform.com/coaching/rethinking-the-pregame-speech/
  • ↑ https://www.boundless.com/communications/textbooks/boundless-communications-textbook/delivering-the-speech-12/methods-of-delivery-62/key-differences-between-prepared-and-impromptu-speeches-250-4208/
  • ↑ http://westsidetoastmasters.com/article_reference/12_ways_to_end_your_speech.html
  • ↑ https://www.usta.com/Improve-Your-Game/Sport-Science/117746_Sports_Psychology_Mental_Skills_for_Achieving_Optimum_Performance/
  • ↑ http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/speech/tips.htm
  • ↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/speeches/
  • ↑ http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/eye-performance/201304/coachs-corny-effective-pep-talks-motivate-michigan
  • ↑ http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/ld/resources/presentations/delivering-presentation
  • ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/words-can-change-your-brain/201207/the-8-key-elements-highly-effective-speech
  • ↑ http://www.persuasivelitigator.com/2015/05/perfect-your-ted-moves.html

About this article

Patrick Muñoz

Did this article help you?

best pre game speeches ever

  • About wikiHow
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Info
  • Not Selling Info

IMAGES

  1. Bennie Fowler III on playing at MSU & the BEST pre-game speeches he

    best pre game speeches ever

  2. Top 5 Best Pre-Game Football Speeches (Greatest pre-game football pump up) Pre-game hype up

    best pre game speeches ever

  3. Greatest Pre Game Speech Ever....

    best pre game speeches ever

  4. One of the Best Pre-Game Speeches Ever

    best pre game speeches ever

  5. NFL Best Pregame Speeches

    best pre game speeches ever

  6. 487 BEST NHL Ice Hockey Pre Game Motivational Speeches Quotes

    best pre game speeches ever

COMMENTS

  1. Greatest Pre-Game Football Speech of All Time (That wasn't in ...

    This is a real pre-game speech given by Tony Arcuri to the 2007 Indian Hill Braves High School Football Team.

  2. 10 Inspirational Locker Room Speeches That Will Remind You It's More

    I'll admit, this isn't the most motivational pre-game speech of all time, but these are the words and advice of one of the best ever to play the game. LeBron James has the mental aspect of the ...

  3. 495 BEST American Football Pre Game Motivational Speeches (Quotes)

    List of 495 BEST American Football Pre Game Motivational Speeches (Quotes) 1. "Take all the hate and make it a part of you. Destroy your enemy. Become God in the process." - Unknown (source: Reddit) 2. "You need to be tough." - Nick Saban (source: YouTube)

  4. 10 Most Inspiring Sports Movie Speeches

    In Miracle, Coach Herb Brooks (Kurt Russell) delivers one of the best pre-game speeches of all time. Brooks's command of the 1980 U.S. Men's Olympic Hockey team is akin to an army general, which is appropriate given the international tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War at the time.

  5. Inspirational Football Locker Room Speeches

    Life, like football, is a game of inches. Coach Tony D'Amato (Al Pacino) captures that analogy perfectly in this speech. An inch can make the difference between victory or defeat. And if you want to succeed in football or life, you have to fight for every inch. Never take anything for granted.

  6. 221 BEST Motivational Pre Game Speeches Quotes (Top)

    With that in mind, here are 221 of the best motivational pre-game speeches quotes from some of sports' greatest coaches and athletes. Each one provides unique insight into what it takes to win - both on and off the field - so take a look and find something inspiring! 1. "The only way to prove that you're a good sport is to lose ...

  7. The Greatest Motivational Speeches in Sports History

    Speaker: Vince Lombardi Date: 1/14/1968 Team: Green Bay Packers Situation: Pre-game addess for Super Bowl II Vince Lombardi is the kind of legendary figure in sports whose presence and poise often ...

  8. 8 Inspirational Football Locker Room Speeches

    The speeches we chose are not only inspiring for men about to hit the field, they're motivating for those men who wish to walk out the door each day to school or work, ready to take on the world. Success in football requires heart, pride, and teamwork. Success in life requires the same. Friday Night Lights.

  9. 10 Best Inspirational Speeches from Your Favorite Sports Movies

    Check out these 10 motivational speeches from the sports movies you grew up watching. 1. "Inch by Inch"— Any Given Sunday. Any Given Sunday Speech Al Pachino HD 'Inch by Inch'.mov. Watch on. "I know if I am going to have any life anymore it is because, I am still willing to fight, and die for that inch because that is what living is.

  10. If This Epic Pre Game Speech Doesn't Fire You Up.. Check Your Pulse

    Sports and epic speeches seem to go hand in hand. If you need a hit of motivation scroll down. One of the most motivational speeches is Al Pacino from Any Given Sunday but another epic pep talk is the pre game speech delivered by Kurt Russell in Miracle.. The film is based on the 1980 hockey Olympics match between the unbeatable Soviet Union and the huge underdogs the United States.

  11. The Art of the Pre-Game Speech

    Check out our other channels:NFL Mundo https://www.youtube.com/mundonflNFL Brasil https://www.youtube.com/c/NFLBrasilOficialNFL UK https://www.youtube.com/ch...

  12. What Makes a Good Pregame Speech?

    Robbie Church, Duke University women's soccer coach: The key to a good pregame speech is keeping it short and sweet. It also helps if you bring facts with your points and that you're able to speak from your heart. It used to be a lot more emotional and tugging at the heartstrings.

  13. Best Sports Speeches (From Locker Room to Movie Screen)

    Great Speeches on Sports. Jimmy Valvano Speech on the Beginning of the V Foundation. Coach Herb Brook's (Kurt Russell) Speech. 4-year-old Joshua Sacco performs Herb Brook's speech by memory. Sports Speeches. Coach Saban Pre-game Speech - 2023 SEC Championship. Georgia Tech Chaplain Derrick Moore's motivational speech before GT takes on Notre ...

  14. 125 BEST Tips How To Give Pre Game Motivational Speech (Easy)

    Addressing Nervousness. It is natural to feel nervous before delivering a pre-game motivational speech. Acknowledge this feeling and embrace it as a sign of your passion and dedication. Take deep breaths, visualize success, and remind yourself of the impact your words can have on the team's performance.

  15. Famous Sports Speeches

    Showing strength and optimism in the face of adversity, baseball legend Lou Gehrig gave the famous "Luckiest Man on the Face of the Earth" speech during a New York Yankees game on July 4, 1939, which was also deemed Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day. Only days earlier, the six-time World Series champion had retired from the game after he was ...

  16. 133 BEST Tips How To Write Pre Game Motivational Speech (Easy)

    Motivational Techniques. Encourage Goal Setting. Foster a Growth Mindset. Utilize Positive Affirmations. Drawing Inspiration from Sport Psychology. Implement Visualization Techniques. Foster a Positive Team Culture. Manage Pre-Game Anxiety. Inspiring Quotes and Examples.

  17. The Ultimate Guide to Giving an Epic Pre-Game Basketball Speech

    An awesome pre-game speech accomplishes a few key things: Motivates and inspires the team. A good speech taps into emotions and gets the adrenaline pumping. Use stories, challenges, and positive messages to fire up your team. Builds confidence. Remind your team of their strengths, talents and preparation. Affirm your belief in them.

  18. How to give a pre-game speech

    Tip # 1: The pre-game speech is necessary. Emotional and mental control is key to victories. To be clear, emotional control does not mean less emotion. "The calm before the storm" cliche that some teams use is a copout for about 95% of teams out there. Your job as the coach is to bring out their best.

  19. How to Give a Speech Before a Championship Game

    6. Practice your speech several times before the championship game. Read your speech aloud and practice in front of a mirror. Repeat your speech enough that you memorize the key ideas and the structure. Even if you have written everything down, you don't want to read from a script in front of the players. 7.

  20. 5 Tips For Giving An Inspirational Pre-Game Speech

    1. Keep it short and sweet. No one wants to listen to a long, drawn-out speech before a game. Get to the point and make your points quickly and concisely. 2. Use emotion. This is a high-intensity sport, so your speech should reflect that. Use emotional language and get your point across with passion. 3.

  21. WATCH: Browns Jameis Winston Delivers Fiery Pre-Game Hype Speech

    However, he has only seen the field in one game thus far in his career, that being in 2021 as a member of the New York Jets, where he recorded a reception for 10 yards.

  22. Crimson Desert is like God of War and Dragon's Dogma Had a Baby ...

    Each boss has three health bars, with each one eliminated increasing the intensity of the fight. But where the Staglord and White Horn scraps seemed to escalate much like many other action RPG boss battles - the enemy gets angrier and starts using more devastating attacks - my final battle, against the Queen Stoneback Crab, demonstrated Crimson Desert's ambition to create memorable ...