I agree but what about pre-game talks?
My wife thinks they help. I only do them occasionally, and only if I have something worth saying.
For me, I never, ever cared or listened when coaches would do these things. I didn't need a coach to motivate me. I never had any use for all the cliches, all the... just words. If a coach was actually coaching me, I'd listen, but the rest was unnecessary. So that's how I'd like to approach all of this. The mere fact that a game is starting should be enough to get any player focused and ready (I'm not talking very little kids here, but HS age). Of course, not every player is like that, so I guess a pre-game talk is a little more useful.