Thanks to live TV, we get more access to players, coaches and staff than ever before. In some sports players are wearing cameras, in others players are commentating mid game via microphone and there are too many cameras watching every angle of every play.

Another interesting insight we get is to hear interviews from players and coaches at halftime. Sometimes these interviews can happen as players are walking into the changing shed and the coach may be interviewed before, during or after the break.

While this gives us an insight into what they’re thinking, it’s tricky to know exactly what they’re thinking.

Are they speaking from their heart? Their head? Are they trying to send subtle messages to others? Who knows.

These interviews could sway your thoughts about your half time betting strategy though.

Here’s a brilliant interview you may recognise with Nick Saban, the University of Alabama football coach.

His team were leading 14 – 3 at halftime against Chattanooga  and had the following exchange with ESPN’s Olivia Harlan.

Olivia: “How have you told your players what kind of game you are in?”

Saban: “Well I’m gonna tell em right now. I mean I’m embarrassed the way played this half.”

Olivia: “Thank you, coach.”

Is Saban being honest or did he just vent to Olivia as he dislikes half time interviews?

There’s so many different ways to analyse this conversation.

Coaches are very smart people but no two coaches are the same that’s for sure. Some of them are very quiet and won’t smile whether they winning or losing, others are very passionate on the outside which leads to plenty of laughs for the crowd. How this all translates to a quick interview at half time is tough to say. They definitely don’t want to give away all their secrets, hence these interviews don’t come from inside the dressing room!

Are The Players Seeing The Whole Game?

When a player comes off the court or field, his adrenaline is running pretty high. Now he is suddenly being asked questions by a reporter. It’s hard enough catching your breathe, let alone trying to analyse what has happened in the last hour in a few words.

The player is just one player person playing and sees things from his single point of view. While professionals have a great read on the game, they aren’t perfect and make some statements that aren’t entirely accurate. And for reasons like we mention below. There are plenty of mind games happening in professional sport!

Getting Into The Head Of Other Teams

You can be sure you’d like your assistant staff members listening into the halftime interviews of the other team right? So it makes sense they’ll be doing the same to you.

This suddenly becomes like a game of poker and you can get wrapped up in it all too easy trying to think what the other is thinking.

Regardless of what officials say at halftime, unless it relates to injuries, the book makers aren’t likely to put much opinion into what the players and coaches say when they’re making the odds.

You could try and be clever and out think them based on this information, but then again, will you put yourself into a mind game trap? So many issues to weigh up!