The real reason why players cover their mouths when talking to each other
Images of players covering their mouths when talking to teammates or opponents on the field have become an increasingly common sight for spectators watching on television or in stadiums.
It has always been assumed that this is done so that the camera cannot record the sharing of tactical or personal information with potentially readable viewers of secret conversations.
One famous example was when former Southampton winger Nathan Redmond covered his mouth when it appeared Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola shouted at the England player in 2017.
The Saints had just lost 2-1 at the Etihad with a last-minute goal and the pair had a strange conversation in which Redmond covered his mouth in response.
However, it turns out it has nothing to do with keeping information private, but rather making sure players can actually be heard. Renowned public relations consultant Phil Hall, who has worked with some of the biggest clubs and names in the Premier League, explained that no one is advised to stay in the shadows to protect important plans. of the team.
"A player once told me that one of the main reasons they do it is because sometimes you do it when you're around someone, it amplifies your voice so they can hear you," Hall said.
"There's a lot of noise around them in the stadium and on the pitch, they need to amplify their voices.
“In a noisy floor, when you speak normally, the sound spreads out.
"It's like a fog whistle, if you put your hand over your mouth and point it at the person you're talking to, it's much clearer."
He added:
"It all started in South America, where some broadcasters hired guests to start reading what was said on the benches and what the players said. “They used lip readers and various methods to find out what the bench was saying tactically to the players.
"But the players themselves here, I think, are just mimicking what they see on the continent. I don't think they're being actively advised here to cover up.
"I certainly haven't seen any evidence of lip reading at any of the clubs I've worked with.
“When Roy Hodgson was at the World Cup, one lipreader said she would interpret everything he said on the bench and post it on the blog – so you can see why they are increasingly cautious. than . “But I don't think they've been informed.
“I haven't heard anyone say anything about someone reading lips. I have never been asked for advice on anything like this.
"In the NFL, there's an entire tactical pattern and play calls that can be read by a lip reader, but in football the gameplay is not so structured because it has the potential to make all the difference."
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