Bridging the real and virtual worlds of football, Gatorade will feature cooling equipment, and squeeze bottles, to emphasise the essential role of hydration in enhancing both mental and physical performance.
The brand’s presence is complete with dedicated LEDS boards showcasing the Gatorade brand.
Gatorade’s global sponsorships are a powerful reminder that optimal hydration sparks the greatest of what’s inside you, empowering everyone to perform at their best and fulfil their potential.
To celebrate its expanded partnership with two of the world’s biggest football properties, Gatorade has teamed up with Manchester City and players Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan and Ruben Dias to reveal football’s secret to peak performance - #TheNod.
As the ultimate drive for both mental and physical readiness, Gatorade empowers players with the confidence and energy needed to make #TheNod count when it matter most.
From the sidelines to the penalty box, players claim a nod is much more than a simple gesture and is a powerful signal of confidence, readiness, and determination that can tip the balance between winning and losing.
According to Manchester City Sport Phycologist, David Young, non-verbal cues (NVCs) are an effective way for professional footballers to communicate strategically on the pitch.
Scanning the field, raising an arm, and pointing a finger are well-known forms of tactical non-verbal communication in sports.
However, today, Gatorade reveals that the real secret superpower for footballers on the pitch is the simple nod of the head.
Committed to fuelling players’ success from the sidelines, Gatorade conducted in-depth analysis of Manchester City’s use of the nod, revealing a clear link between team success and the frequency of non-verbal gestures on the pitch.
By driving both mental and physical performance, Gatorade enables the confidence behind these critical gestures, helping players achieve peak performance on the pitch.
Examining the total usage, context, and patterns of NVCs during Manchester City’s 2023/24 UEFA Champions League matches, the research revealed:
- Tactical Sign Language: Over 1,000 NVCs were used by the boys in blue across their eight games of the season, creating a rich on-field language of distinct behaviours (scanning, pointing, nodding and raised arms).
- Nods for the win: In matches where Manchester City players used 100+ NVCs, the team won 100% of their games with ‘nods’ increasing 33%.
- ‘The Midfield Radar’: Midfielders like Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, and Bernardo Silva lead the team in scanning, with approximately 20 and 15 scans per match, respectively.
- Goals for gestures: Where three or more goals were scored, the team’s use of NVCs increased by 19%.
- Tactical telepathy: Defenders and midfielders exchange the most silent gestures, with over 50% of all recorded NVCs involving at least one player from these positions.
- Defensive success: Manchester City’s use of NVCs increased by 13.2% in games where they conceded one or no goals.
- Player’s secret superpower: The top five NVCs - Rodri, Dias, Phil Foden, Silva and Kyle Walker - averaged +45 cues per match and had a 7/5% greater game score on average v players who used the gestures less.
Rodri, the 68th winner of the coveted Ballon d’Or award, talks about his use of #TheNod and NVCs in the Gatorade film.
The player currently rated as the very best in the world said: “The non-verbal communication is very important in the sport we do. Gestures between team-mates help to build the effort and mentality of the team.
“When you see a guy suffering, these things can help a lot. We’re all human beings, when you see a confident faces, it helps. It’s very important.”
Manchester City’s Sport Psychologist, David Young, said: “Non-verbal cues are often overlooked, but they can give us an insight into the current emotional state of individuals, as well as potentially enhancing cohesion and performance.
“Research shows that behaviours on the pitch like nodding, scanning and other physical movements can influence individual and team performance. It helps build bonds within teams, and if applied effectively, it can help both athletes and coaches convey important messages during both training and games - especially in high-stake environments where you don’t want to let your opponents know what you’re planning.
“At Manchester City, we look to build confidence within the team and the impactful use of NVCs is a key part of that. It helps players know they have each other’s backs, and all understand the challenge in front of them.
“We’ve all seen how intense a game can be, especially in the UEFA Champions League season, so whether it’s on the sidelines or in the heart of the action, a nod can really make all the difference.”
As part of its multi-year partnership, Gatorade has issues a rallying cry to the sporting and gaming communities to celebrate this often-overlooked gesture and showcase how NVCs, like the nod fuel them to success.
Gatorade powers peak mental and physical performance from the sidelines, sparking #TheNod for players to achieve the best.
Adam Warner, Vice President of Global Sports and Entertainment Partnerships, said: “UEFA and EA SPORTS FC 25 are two of the most prominent brands in football, and we’re thrilled to be present on the sidelines, showcasing the impact of hydration in helping players achieve peak mental and physical performance.
“Our iconic squeeze bottles will be visible on the sidelines also - both in real life and in the virtual world. At Gatorade, we understand what fuels players on the pitch, and through our collaboration with Manchester City, we uncovered this underestimated tactic. We hope this insight will inspire both gaming and footballing communities to level up their game by embracing the power of the nod.”
