We bring to you one of the greatest inspirational speeches ever seen on screen. Al Pacino's inspirational speech as a coach to his players on the movie "Any Given Sunday", is used in classes and courses about public speaking, coaching or teamwork, as the blueprint of a great speech.
It's a must see speech for anyone who wants to become a better speaker, but also to anyone who wants to improve their life or their team.
Even people who don't like football, love this speech, because it's not just a football speech, it's about life!
Its about struggle and finding the necessary strength and team commitment to rise up to the challenges life gives us.
Enjoy the video with the full speech, read the full transcription bellow the video and read the meaning behind this Al Pacino motivational speech. We've analyzed the speech point by point giving you tips of how to make your own inspirational speech using this speech as guidance.
Al Pacino's, Any Given Sunday Speech
Al Pacino's Any Given Sunday Speech Transcription and Analysis:
"I don't know what to say.. really.
Three minutes to the biggest battle of our professional lives all comes down to today.
Either we heal as a team or we are going to crumble."
The meaning behind: Opening statements, makes sure every player is aware and awake for the importance of the situation they all face. It's crucial when you speak for an audience that you catch their attention in the first moments of the presentation. Al Pacino does that, putting everybody in a peak state by stating the "biggest battle of our professional lives comes down to today".
On the last quote, Al Pacino presents the choice they have to make today for the problem they face, they must be a team. This is also, a first mention to the major topic of his whole presentation, what he want players to do for him as a coach.
"Inch by inch play by play till we're finished."
The meaning behind: This is the way they have to execute their plan as a team. This is also very interesting, because life battles aren't won with a huge step or big achievement. They are won everyday with small steps and tasks done with full effort. Al Pacino, gives the solution, they have to value every moment of the game, giving all they've got in every play. This is a great lesson for life.
"We are in hell right now, gentlemen believe me
and we can stay here and get the shit kicked out of us
or we can fight our way back into the light.
We can climb out of hell.
One inch, at a time."
The meaning behind: After the opening statements, he begins to go into the specific situation they all are in. Again this is a great life lesson. When people are down, and it seems there is nothing they can do to turn things around, they have two options: succumb or fight. He makes that decision for his players by stating they can fight and turn things around, step by step.
"Now I can't do it for you.
I'm too old.
I look around and I see these young faces and I think
I mean I made every wrong choice a middle age man could make.
I uh....
I pissed away all my money believe it or not.
I chased off anyone who has ever loved me.
And lately, I can't even stand the face I see in the mirror."
The meaning behind: Although, Al Pacino makes a decision, and he has a solution for their problem, he cannot be the one doing it. This is a great way of influencing people to take action: describe to them the problem they have, give them the solution, and convince them that they are an indispensable part of the solution.
Who would deny to help when you lay down this strategy so eloquently? After that he goes on to his personal side.
Who would deny to help when you lay down this strategy so eloquently? After that he goes on to his personal side.
"You know when you get old in life
things get taken from you.
That's, that's part of life.
But, you only learn that when you start losing stuff.
You find out that life is just a game of inches.
So is football.
Because in either game life or football the margin for error is so small.
I mean one half step too late or to early you don't quite make it.
One half second too slow or too fast and you don't quite catch it."
The meaning behind: Al Pacino is comparing life to football, making players deeply relate to the situation. When you want to grasp people's attention to a problem, the problem itself might not be enough, but by using metaphors and comparisons you get anyone's attention and with that full commitment to solve the problem. Another GREAT life lesson.
"The inches we need are everywhere around us.
They are in ever break of the game every minute, every second."
The meaning behind: Al Pacino points out where players can find the opportunity to contribute to the solution. Every minute counts therefore they must concentrate every minute, but notice how he doesn't say they need to be focused all the time, but it's and undeniable conclusion everyone takes by hearing his words. Remarkable!
"On this team, we fight for that inch.
On this team, we tear ourselves, and everyone around us to pieces for that inch.
We CLAW with our finger nails for that inch.
Cause we know when we add up all those inches
that's going to make the fucking difference between
WINNING and LOSING
between LIVING and DYING."
The meaning behind: This is where the most energetic part of the speech begins, after laying down the problem and solution, Al Pacino begins to appeal to the players in a very enthusiastic way for their team spirit and full commitment. Most speakers who fail to deliver, fail because they begin with this part, they want to motivate people with loud words and statements. But lack to give them a real motive. This part of the speech really works, not because of the way it is presented, but because Al Pacino did a brilliant work laying down motives for them to work as a team before he begin to shout motivational words.
"I'll tell you this...in any fight
it is the guy who is willing to die who is going to win that inch.
And 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."
The meaning behind: Now Pacino slows down again. He gives more motives to the players to fight and work as a team by looking for the inches, or steps to achieve, and giving full effort. He states his personal side again, creating a bound with his team and the current situation. You cannot influence people by simply saying they have to go that way, but you don't go there. You influence them because you do the same thing you're asking them to do. You've got be humble, not afraid of exposing your side, and, understand that people don't follow words they follow examples. Al Pacino can't be the example on the football field because he's too old, so he cannot play, but he has a life problems that are similar to the football problems his team has, as he described earlier. So he is the example they most follow, he's asking players to do something he does with his own life.
"Now I can't make you do it.
You gotta look at the guy next to you.
Look into his eyes.
Now I think you are going to see a guy who will go that inch with you.
You are going to see a guy who will sacrifice himself for this team
because he knows when it comes down to it,
you are gonna do the same thing for him."
The meaning behind: Since he cannot play and do it for his team, it's up to the guys to step up. They must not neglect their teammates. This the chain of favors effect, if you want people to do something for you, do something for them. Give so you can receive, not like a trade, but like a team who has a common goal to achieve.
"That's a team, gentlemen and either we heal now,
as a team, or we will die as individuals.
That's football guys.
That's all it is."
The meaning behind: After he made the description, he points out the denomination of what he has just described, a TEAM. And that's the whole point of his presentation, they must solve the problem they have at hand as a TEAM. Great caper to the whole speech.
"Now, whatcha gonna do?"
The meaning behind: Look at the players reaction to this question...although it's a movie, and they are actors, we can conclude, that Al Pacino made a great speech solely by judging the huge reaction of his players. This is the outcome you want whenever you present a speech, to fully influence people into your ideas and make them have an urge to take the actions you want them to take. It's the impact you make on people that counts!
We challenge you to make your own speech, following this Al Pacino speech on Any Given Sunday as your blueprint.
Share it with your friends if they never heard it, or just don't remember, using the sharing buttons on the side or bellow.
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