Ideas for Pep Rally Talks

A pep rally is one of the best ways to encourage school spirit before a school sporting event. With music, cheerleading, exhibition play and pep talks, pep rallies can get athletes and students ready for the big game. Pep talks from coaches, cheerleaders and teachers can add a lot of impact to a pep rally. Effective pep talks deal with topics such as school spirit and the virtues of athleticism.

  1. Thematic Talks

    • Many pep rallies have themes, such as sports legends or sports movies. If your pep rally has a theme, your talk should relate to that theme. For example, if a school is holding a pep rally with the theme of football movies, the coach could speak about how sports can provide hope in hard times, making reference to the film "All the Right Moves."

    School Spirit

    • School spirit should be strong at high school and college pep rallies. Talks on school spirit could discuss the story behind the school team's name, the history of the school and the community, or the many reasons for being proud of the school. Someone who has a passion for the school and its sports teams should deliver these talks.

    Sportsmanship

    • Sports are as much about fair competition as they are about winning. A talk on the values of sportsmanship can encourage the athletes to play fair and focus on enjoying the game. Sportsmanship topics include fair play, the love of the game and respecting your opponent.

    The Upcoming Game

    • Spend some time talking about the upcoming game and what it means for the school. If the game determines whether the team advances in a series, you should talk about how it is important for the players to perform their best in order to advance. If the game is being played on the home field, the speaker could talk about the importance of making the school proud on its own turf. Any topic that will get players and students excited about the game is good for a pep rally.

    Honoring Athletes

    • Athletes are an important source of school spirit and pride. Spend time at a pep rally talking about the school's athletes and their accomplishments. Topics may include particular athletes and their accomplishments, or the school's athletic community and its track record. Any talk that makes student athletes feel appreciated is good for a pep rally.