Ever wondered how much an eight-year-old takes in when watching Burnley on a Saturday? The Premier League has more of an effect than you think.
A Twitter user by the name of Tim Hardwicke has accidentally uncovered some of the roll-your-eyes moments that take place when your son or daughter goes out onto the pitch.
From cringeworthy celebrations to techniques and simple gestures that don't make any sense. Footballers have a knock-on effect on our generation of youth.
Hardwicke tweeted, "I coach an under 11s team. I'm amazed how the kids are affected by FIFA and the premier league."
"We have one lad, before he takes a corner he raises an arm above his head. Fuck knows why as no one else knows what it means. Yesterday a boy laid on the floor behind a defensive wall."
This started a thread of other parents, coaches, or family members who have spotted some of the modern game brushing on youngsters these days.
Whether it's the Premier League, the Champions League, the WSL, the League of Ireland or the national teams. They're all things you might see a professional do.
Some of the replies are brilliant. It's the complete innocence that gets us, as some kids feeling like they're playing in a World Cup and are being watched by cameras.
Here were some of the best Premier League inspired kid actions on the pitch:
We had a kid once who scored a goal and did that kissing and pointing at the heavens thing - his dad was on the side and explained he had no idea what was going on as all parents / grandparents etc were still alive.
— Niall Hollywood (@hollywood_niall) February 28, 2022
Lol my twins are under 10 one of them comes on and crosses himself and we are Jewish !
— NFE 🇮🇱🇬🇧YIDARMY (@NFESpur) March 1, 2022
Watching my daughters boyfriends team at the weekend. Noticed 1 lad, everytime he spoke to a teammate he put his hand over his mouth 🤦
— Andy78 (@80to89andbeyond) February 28, 2022
My nephew at 7 was the only kid who watched the premier league. He was also the only kid in his team who refused to enter the pitch as a sub until the player he was replacing had left it.
— DialSquare (@DialSquareNZ) March 1, 2022
My child came off as sub - applauded all around as he came off like there was thousands of fans……….. he was going back on in a few minutes as it’s roll on/off subs 😂
— andrew nunn (@Andrew_Nunn117) March 1, 2022
My sons team mate got hit in the face with the ball..he stopped play put his arm round him and put one hand up to signal for someone to come on to assist as if we’ve got some sort of medial staff 🤣 he’s 7. The arm up corner is absolutely mandatory now also!
— Liam Duncanson (@LiamDuncanson1) March 1, 2022
My wife has commented on this! She referees the lunchtime games at the school where she works (yrs 4-5-6) and has to stop them laying on the floor behind defensive walls as the teachers complain about muddy uniforms
— Adrian Trott (@DaSistasDad) March 1, 2022
I coached under 13s years ago. Played all games on artificial surface. One lad liked to take free kicks. After placing the ball he would press down on the astroturf with his 'standing foot' like it was a really muddy grass pitch and he needed traction. Every time. Never scored.
— Sam (@WeStoodatNo1) March 1, 2022
So there you have it. If you've a son or daughter and they're in the background glancing at whatever football is on the telly, they might actually be paying attention.
As long as they're having fun, that's all that matters. They should also be mimicking the Robbie Keane cartwheel celebration and nothing else.
See Also: FIFA 23 To Welcome Back World Cup Mode And Other New Features
