A friend of mine innocently asked why do football scouts bother to travel around the country watching games instead of just watching them on TV? If you’ve ever sat close to a scout at a professional football match you’ll notice they spend a lot of their time looking at things other than the ball.
I’ve always found one of the most fascinating aspects of football is how much of the game takes place beyond the obvious movement of the ball. For spectators, especially at professional level, moments of brilliance are celebrated these days in highlights where the focus is on goals, passes and tackles, but underneath these visible touchpoints is the tactics and strategy that influences outcomes just as much.
Much of this strategy takes place in the realm of ‘game management’, the collection of subtle behaviours and decisions that dictate tempo, control rhythm and protect results and has such a significant impact at the top level. It stands to reason that at pro level, where all the players are technically and athletically capable and so evenly matched most of the time, that the deciding factor is often the tactics and game management skills.
Game management practices, ranging from slowing down the tempo of play, drawing free kicks, securing the ball in safe areas or conceding tactical fouls, are usually associated with the higher levels of football, yet if they are such a big aspect of the game is there an argument that grassroots players should be introduced to such concepts much earlier in their development? The case for teaching game management from a young age is not about promoting cynicism or undermining fair play but about equipping players with the intelligence to read situations, make informed decisions and handle the pressures that football inevitably presents.
At its heart, football is not only a physical contest but a mental one. Teams that learn how to dictate the pace of a match, when to attack with urgency and when to retain possession, often find themselves with an advantage over equally matched opponents. Professional sides demonstrate this regularly, with elite managers praising players who possess what is often described as “football intelligence.” Yet these qualities do not simply appear at senior level. They are cultivated through exposure, reflection and guided learning. Grassroots football, which prides itself on being a space where young people are introduced to the principles of the game, has traditionally focused on technical ability, physical conditioning and sportsmanship. While these remain essential pillars, leaving out the education of the craft of winning matches risks creating players who are technically proficient but tactically naive. If football is to develop well rounded players, then presumably the mental side of the sport should be integrated alongside skills and fitness from the earliest stages.
For young players, learning to recognise momentum swings within a match is an invaluable tool.
Grassroots games, especially at junior levels, often veer between chaotic bursts of attacking play and long stretches of scrappy attempts at possession that break down consistently. Teaching children to sense when their team needs to slow the game down, perhaps by seeking safe territory and resetting shape, provides them with a framework for composure. Recognising moments when opponents are unsettled and increasing tempo by moving the ball quicker can instil the idea that football is about exploiting opportunities rather than waiting for them to arrive. This awareness goes beyond just tactics and builds confidence, patience and control.
Game management also includes things seemingly at odds with what we would want to see at grassroots level, yet if this is the reality of game then are we guilty of selective morality? The deliberate use of fouls to halt counter attacks for instance. You may shake your head disapprovingly if this happens in a grassroots game on a Sunday morning then go home to watch your favourite team on Sunday afternoon and be actively shouting at the TV for someone to do just this.
Many would argue that introducing these behaviours too young risks normalising unsporting conduct. However, teaching children about tactical fouls can be framed within the context of decision making. For example, explaining why a professional might choose to foul rather than allow a three on one counterattack can open discussions about responsibility, consequences and the laws of the game. Understanding these dynamics empowers players to think critically about risk and reward. Coaches can emphasise that while some decisions may prevent goals, they also carry disciplinary consequences and must be balanced against the values of respect and fairness. This way, children are not simply taught to break the play down but to think.
Another area where game management proves its value is in time management during matches. The professional game regularly demonstrates how teams in the lead protect advantages by controlling tempo, whether through possession or strategic interruptions. Grassroots footballers are rarely guided through these scenarios, meaning they often panic or lose composure when protecting narrow leads. A young team that instinctively pushes forward in search of a second goal may leave itself vulnerable, while a more experienced side might consolidate shape and protect what it has earned. Teaching young footballers about these scenarios, encourages them to balance ambition with prudence. Far from killing creativity, this develops a maturity in decision making that allows players to adapt to the state of the match. Football is a constantly evolving contest, and the ability to adapt strategy within ninety minutes is a hallmark of an advanced understanding.
People may argue that grassroots football should remain focused on nothing else beyond fun, inclusivity and skill development, and that introducing concepts of tactical game management risks burdening children with unnecessary pressure and complexity. It’s a valid concern and the balance is delicate. However, there is no reason why education in crafting an edge to your team’s play cannot be delivered in age appropriate ways. For younger children, this might be as simple as learning when to take a deep breath and slow down before restarting play, or recognising when to look for a safe pass rather than attempting a risky dribble in front of their own goal. For teenagers, discussions might involve watching professional clips and analysing how teams close out matches or turn particular moments in their favour.
Grassroots football has already embraced more emphasis on ball retention, passing and creativity in line with modern academy philosophies. Extending this to include game management is presumably a natural evolution. The long term result could be players who combine technical skill with the nous to control matches, a combination that elevates both their individual potential and the collective strength of their team.
Importantly, embedding game management within grassroots football does not have to mean sacrificing sportsmanship. By confronting the realities of killing a game by feigning injury or time wasting openly rather than ignoring them, coaches provide young players with the tools to navigate ethical decisions. Presumably this is no different from teaching children about other challenges in life? Shielding them entirely does not prepare them, but discussing scenarios and values helps them develop judgement. Game management becomes not only about football but about character education, building young people who understand the difference between using intelligence positively and descending into cynicism.
Ultimately, the debate around introducing game management skills into grassroots football reflects broader questions about the purpose of youth sport. If the sole aim is recreation, then perhaps such concepts should be left to the professional ranks. But if the aim is to develop intelligent, adaptable,
and resilient players who can flourish at any level of the game, then ignoring this dimension leaves a gap. Grassroots football has always been about more than match results, it’s about preparing young people for challenges, both sporting and personal. Teaching them how to manage the ebb and flow of matches is simply another way of fulfilling that goal.
The professional game will always provide examples of game management, some admirable, others controversial. Grassroots football cannot replicate every aspect of that environment, nor should it.
Yet by carefully introducing children to the principles of controlling tempo, protecting leads and thinking strategically, the game can give them a foundation of intelligence that will ultimately serve them. Far from corrupting the purity of youth football, this approach respects its players enough to equip them for reality. It acknowledges that football is not only about talent but about choices, and that learning to make good ones that benefit your team shows a true understanding of the game.
