It’s long been the case that young footballers mimic what they see the pro’s doing. This usually takes the form of knee slides to celebrate goals, wearing certain boots or even styling their hair a certain way. Watch any junior football match on a weekend morning, and you'll spot dozens of mini Haalands and wannabe Saka's, copying the celebrations and techniques they've seen on Match of the Day. The influence of professional football on our grassroots game runs far deeper than just these superficial imitations though, and not always in a positive way.
The Football Association's recent grassroots survey revealed that 84% of young players actively watch professional football and attempt to incorporate elements of what they see into their own game. This statistical reality underscores what we know anecdotally, professional football serves as both inspiration and burden for the grassroots game.
Take tactics, for instance. Way back when, it used to be a case of playing the ball forward to the biggest kid up front. Visit most training sessions now, and you'll see teams of 10 year olds attempting to play out from the back like Arsenal or pressing high like Liverpool. Most would regard this as an improvement and I’m inclined to agree as gone are the rigid positions and direct playing styles that dominated amateur football for generations. Now, youth coaches increasingly emphasise rotational movement, tactical flexibility, and technical proficiency. The FA's coaching curriculum now explicitly incorporates these principles, with a recent study by the University of Birmingham finding that 72% of grassroots coaches have significantly modified their training sessions to reflect professional tactical trends.
But here's where things get tricky. While it's brilliant that our young players are being encouraged to play attractive, progressive football, we need to remember that they're not on the same level as the professionals. I recently watched an under-14s match where both teams were so determined to play out from the back that the ball barely left either penalty area for the first ten minutes. Despite the
ever more vocal encouragement from the coaches, you could see the frustration and fear building in the players who just wanted to play forward. All the goals scored came from mistakes from players in their own third, there’s a question about whether this is actually supporting development.
I fell this highlights an important point, while professional football should inspire us, we shouldn't be slaves to it. Good grassroots coaching is about learning to adapt professional concepts to suit their players' abilities and most importantly, to keep the game fun.
The influence of professional football is perhaps most visible in player development. Professional academies now have more influence than ever on grassroots football, with scouts attending local matches and development centres popping up everywhere. This has its benefits, the standard of coaching has improved dramatically and with it the technical levels of players.
However, this professional influence has also created a "win at all costs" culture that can seep into junior football. When parents see 15 year old academy players signing professional contracts worth more than their annual salary, it's understandable that some get carried away with their own child's development. We've all seen the Dad shouting instructions from the touchline as if he's managing in the Champions League final, or the Mum berating a referee over a throw in decision in an under 8’s match.
Technology is another area where professional football's influence is increasingly felt at grassroots level. Many junior teams now use Veo for feedback sessions, GPS tracking vests or performance
analysis apps. While these tools are valuable, they need to be used appropriately. Young players don't need to know their expected goals (xG) statistics or maximum sprint speeds, they need encouragement, development, and most importantly, enjoyment.
The commercial aspect of professional football has trickled down to grassroots level too. Local clubs increasingly seek sponsorship and run their operations more professionally, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Better organisation and funding can lead to improved facilities and opportunities for players. However, we must be careful not to let commercial interests overshadow the community spirit that makes grassroots football special.
Perhaps the most positive influence of professional football has been in promoting inclusivity and diversity. Seeing role models like Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, and Leah Williamson excel at the highest level has inspired a new generation of players from all backgrounds. The success of the Lionesses has led to a massive surge in girls' participation at grassroots level to a level that was barely imaginable even ten years ago.
The key to managing professional football's influence lies in finding the right balance. We should embrace the positive aspects that move the game forward, the emphasis on skill development, tactical understanding and inclusivity while also maintaining what makes grassroots football special.
As someone who's been involved in grassroots football for over two decades, I've seen the game evolve significantly under professional football's influence. While the increased emphasis on technical skills and tactical understanding is welcome, we must never forget that grassroots football serves a different purpose than the professional game.
For every young player who dreams of playing professionally, there are dozens who simply want to enjoy playing with their mates on a Sunday morning. According to recent FA data, only 0.012% of players eventually earn a professional contract. Yet the pursuit of professional football increasingly dominates the grassroots agenda. Our role in grassroots football is to nurture both groups, to provide pathways and support for those with lofty ambitions while ensuring the game remains enjoyable and accessible for everyone else.
Professional football will always influence how we approach grassroots football, but it's up to us to filter these influences through the lens of what works best for our young players. After all, the true measure of success in grassroots football isn't just how many players we send to academies, but how many fall in love with the game and keep playing for years to come.
Just about every professional footballer started their journey at a grassroots club, but equally importantly, so did millions of others who simply found their love for the game on our muddy Sunday morning pitches. That's the true magic of grassroots football, and no amount of professional influence should ever change it.
