halftime

Halftime refers to the interval in many team sports between the first and second halves of a game. During this intermission, players rest and rehydrate, coaches review performance and opponents, and teams may reorganize tactics and personnel.

The length and rules of halftime are set by the competition and vary by sport; typical durations range from about 10 to 20 minutes. In football-style games, the break is often around 12 minutes in professional leagues, while basketball and hockey intermissions commonly run around 15 minutes.

In soccer, halftime usually lasts 15 minutes; in American football, the half-time interval is longer and may include broadcasts or entertainment in major events. Substitutions and tactical changes are commonly made during halftime, though substitution rules differ by sport.

The concept is universal across most sports with two halves, but some sports use four quarters or other formats. Halftime nonetheless serves as a midpoint reset, allowing teams to adjust strategy, address injuries, and manage player fatigue. Broadcasts may treat halftime as a separate segment, including analysis and advertising. The term is a compound of “half” and “time” and is used in many languages to denote the break between halves of a game.