pep talk

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A talk aimed at heightening arousal. In sport, pep talks are usually given just before a competition or during an interval in play. They are a traditional, almost ritualistic, feature of managerial talks to soccer teams and often include exhortations to try harder. This may help some performers to reach an optimal level of arousal, but can cause others to become over-aroused and anxious, leading to a poor performance.

Invigorate someone or cheer someone up, as in This drink will pep you up, or The good news about his recovery pepped us up. [1920s] Both the verb pep and the noun pep, denoting vigor and energy since about 1910, are abbreviations for pepper, a spice with a pungent, biting quality. They also have given rise to pep rally, a meeting to inspire enthusiasm [c. 1940], and pep talk, a speech meant to instill enthusiasm or bolster morale [1920s].

A motivational strategy aimed at heightening arousal. Pep talks are usually given prior to competition or during an interval in play. They are a characteristic feature of managerial talks to football teams before a game and at half-time. Exhortations to try harder may help some athletes to reach an optimal level of arousal, but may cause others to become overaroused.

• Support, Encouragement, and Agreement - pep talk: brief, emotional talk calculated to arouse support or foster determination

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A cheerleader is flipped upside-down during a pep rally routine before an American football game.

Pep rallies are events that occur primarily in the United States and^{[citation needed]} Canada. A pep rally is a gathering of people, typically students of middle school, high school and college age, before a sports event. The purpose of such a gathering is to encourage school spirit and to support members of the team for which the rally is being thrown. The pep rallies are often very loud and have a lot of excitement to keep all the students excited for the upcoming game and to cheer on the team.

At a pep rally, cheerleaders will often lead in boisterous chants and dance moves intended to get the student body involved and supporting the school's team. Games between competing classes with small prizes may be held. The school's band will often play upbeat music in between demonstrations, and the drumline may play. In the case of a homecoming game, the Homecoming "court" may be chosen and announced.

This is also a time for the team captains to let the school know how their team is doing this season. Most schools have pep rallies to honor future and past events.

College basketball teams celebrate the opening of the season with Midnight Madness, an event similar to a pep rally.

See also

• Pep talk

References

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