Why do subs 'warm up' at half time instead of listening to the gaffer?

[Cappy]

I've wondered this for years...

Almost every game of any pro team I watch, at half time the subs will come out and do a few very light ball drills. Perhaps to make sure they keep their 'touch' in case they need to come on? Today v Luton, for example, McG and McB were mostly laughing and joking while just passing the ball to each other, gently, at close quarters. Fleck and Baldock were further apart, passing, but weren't exactly drilling it to each other and driving a tempo like happens pre-match.

I'd have thought it would be more important to listen to the coaching staff instructions on their observations on the first half, what needs to change in the second, and some specifics about key changes/focuses in the positions they would perhaps play. Then they could be viewing the second half with those things in mind, to help if they need to come on.

Anyone wiser than I know why they do this? It's obviously the right thing to do, because they all do it, but it can't simply be to keep their eye in on controlling a football, can it? I appreciate when they warm up on the side-lines before coming on, they don't have a ball, but really.....?

 

[Bladey_blade]

I've wondered this for years...

Almost every game of any pro team I watch, at half time the subs will come out and do a few very light ball drills. Perhaps to make sure they keep their 'touch' in case they need to come on? Today v Luton, for example, McG and McB were mostly laughing and joking while just passing the ball to each other, gently, at close quarters. Fleck and Baldock were further apart, passing, but weren't exactly drilling it to each other and driving a tempo like happens pre-match.

I'd have thought it would be more important to listen to the coaching staff instructions on their observations on the first half, what needs to change in the second, and some specifics about key changes/focuses in the positions they would perhaps play. Then they could be viewing the second half with those things in mind, to help if they need to come on.

Anyone wiser than I know why they do this? It's obviously the right thing to do, because they all do it, but it can't simply be to keep their eye in on controlling a football, can it? I appreciate when they warm up on the side-lines before coming on, they don't have a ball, but really.....?

They are sat with them for 45 mins prior so imagine they have been briefed on what they need to know

 

[PokerBlade]

Because players have spent the previous few days being drilled on how this game will be approached, have spent the last few weeks (since the new manager came in, at least) being drilled on what formations and systems we're going to use in general, and the half-time team talk is far too late for them to really figure anything major out. As effective as subs and formation changes can be, they're not actually figured out at half-time. They've already done the prep before the game to ready them for use.

Being ready to come on at the drop of a hat if there's an injury is probably more important than listening to instructions that should largely have been covered before the game.

Also, in fairness, sometimes you do know a player is coming on because they haven't come out for the warm-up.

 

[Bert]

Bert has also wondered as to why we water a wet pitch

 

[bakeblade]

I've wondered this for years...

Almost every game of any pro team I watch, at half time the subs will come out and do a few very light ball drills. Perhaps to make sure they keep their 'touch' in case they need to come on? Today v Luton, for example, McG and McB were mostly laughing and joking while just passing the ball to each other, gently, at close quarters. Fleck and Baldock were further apart, passing, but weren't exactly drilling it to each other and driving a tempo like happens pre-match.

I'd have thought it would be more important to listen to the coaching staff instructions on their observations on the first half, what needs to change in the second, and some specifics about key changes/focuses in the positions they would perhaps play. Then they could be viewing the second half with those things in mind, to help if they need to come on.

Anyone wiser than I know why they do this? It's obviously the right thing to do, because they all do it, but it can't simply be to keep their eye in on controlling a football, can it? I appreciate when they warm up on the side-lines before coming on, they don't have a ball, but really.....?

If they are coming straight on in the second half, they go in early and listen to instructions.
There's obviously no advantage in them being in the dressing room during the break, they're better off keeping 'warmed up'

 

[DifferentClass]

Because it's fucking freezing.

 

[Sharrow Snuff Mill]

Bert has also wondered as to why we water a wet pitch

Luton players were doing running drills in front of the Bramall Lane end of the John Street stand before the match. The pitch was quickly getting cut up, so it was plenty wet enough. Then of course it was deluged at half time, which seems to be a default setting regardless of the condition of the pitch unless it is raining steadily.

 

[Ned the Donkey]

I've wondered this for years...

Almost every game of any pro team I watch, at half time the subs will come out and do a few very light ball drills. Perhaps to make sure they keep their 'touch' in case they need to come on? Today v Luton, for example, McG and McB were mostly laughing and joking while just passing the ball to each other, gently, at close quarters. Fleck and Baldock were further apart, passing, but weren't exactly drilling it to each other and driving a tempo like happens pre-match.

I'd have thought it would be more important to listen to the coaching staff instructions on their observations on the first half, what needs to change in the second, and some specifics about key changes/focuses in the positions they would perhaps play. Then they could be viewing the second half with those things in mind, to help if they need to come on.

Anyone wiser than I know why they do this? It's obviously the right thing to do, because they all do it, but it can't simply be to keep their eye in on controlling a football, can it? I appreciate when they warm up on the side-lines before coming on, they don't have a ball, but really.....?

Fair question but presumably the subs will have seen and heard all the words of wisdom from the bench during the first half.

Players and teams are (usually) so well drilled that changes of tactics and formation take place with minimal input, eg a word from a sub.

If there's something specific get them in the dressing room, otherwise let them have a run around, they've been sat on their arses for 45 minutes.

 

[Snowflake]

Bert has also wondered as to why we water a wet pitch

The surface of the pitch is often dry unless it has just rained. The ball then travels better over a wet surface, although the quality of passing is also a major feature !!!

 

[BladesOnToast]

I wonder if it's to make them feel special (no, seriously). Might be a bit demoralising sat in the dugout literally on the sidelines especially if it's week after week. Being in the middle of 27,000 people, even if it's just kicking a ball around like a performing monkey for ten mins, might be a subtle ego boost that helps keep their focus on the match.

 

[Grappler]

Bert has also wondered as to why we water a wet pitch

I bet the Luton keeper was also wondering that, Bert, as he slipped onto his fat arse, for the second time.

 

[diode_blade]

The hunt for red October....
Actually probably happening now!

 

[Trafford]

McGoldrick usually heads into the dressing room and joins the rest of the subs later, so he‘s either very regular in dropping a log or listens to the de-briefing.

 

[Bell4]

Bert has also wondered as to why we water a wet pitch

To make it wetter