5 Ways to Put the Fun Back into Football Training for Kids

Keeping football fun is tremendously important. The number one reason why kids quit organised sport is because they stop having FUN. Everyone involved must do everything they can to make sure that the kids are happy, motivated, and have the required self-esteem during training and games. 

Have Structured Practice with Lots of Different Activities 

For some kids, the least fun part of playing organized football is the team training sessions. Practice sessions are very important so that the kids can learn to play together, develop FUNdamental skills, and get regular exercise, but sometimes students can get bogged down by drills or unorganised practice. If parents, teachers, and coaches are training teams, they need to make sure that they have structured practice so that the kids are constantly moving and participating in fun activities. Running the same old drill for long periods of 30 minutes or more will make them not want to go to practice. Coaches can use a variety of strategies to motivate players of different ages and abilities. These strategies might include: 

Making the benefits of the session clear 

Individual and team goal setting 

Providing positive feedback 

Using rewards, including simple things such as making the players the focus of attention 

Rewarding effort and improvement, not just outcomes 

Making practice challenging, varied, and enjoyable 

Encouraging the kids to take responsibility for their own development 

Asking open questions and using words like who, how, when, where, what, and why 

Being prepared to share a joke and be silly at times and having a sense of humour 

Mixing up training drills and breaking up training with icebreakers, games, and fun challenges 

Setting aside 10 minutes every session for playing field antics – this being chaos, fun, and lots of play! 

Help Kids Learn at Their Own Pace 

In football and other sports, you will find athletes on the same team who are at different technical, tactical, social, and physical levels. Sometimes those who are less experienced in playing football or are less skilled will feel nervous or unwilling to participate in practice and during a game. It is the job of the teachers, coaches, and parents to help each kid at his or her own pace so that he or she can have fun and improve. Putting too much pressure on young kids to play may actually cause them harm and stop them from playing in the long run completely. 

Provide Positive Support and Build Confidence 

Supporting children and their individual learning needs is a must. Coaches who are training their kids or teams can make football more fun by providing consistent support to all of the students who are participating. The best players on a team will always receive a lot of compliments on account of their excellence. But we must not forget the other kids as well. These kids are learning slowly, but a little individual attention can go a long way for them. The best football academies will always promote every single student, no matter what stage they are at in the game. 

Never Put a Kid Down to Lift Another Up 

This is an important point to remember as it can be very easy to compare players, and it becomes more prominent in games between opposing teams. Whether we are helping players feel better in practice or after a loss, or even while getting them excited for a big game, remember that it is inappropriate to disparage the other team or their players. Both teams can play hard and have fun as long as the adults and coaches keep things positive.  

Team Bonding 

For some kids, their favourite part of practice is not the exercise or the competition – it is the camaraderie. Sport, in general, is a great opportunity for kids to make new friends and build connections that can extend to school and adulthood. 

In conclusion, if you can implement even some of the above tips, your kids will instantly start to have more fun and feel comfortable within the footballing environment and, in turn, reap the benefits of football training for a long time! 

So, if you are looking for football training in Bangalore, and more specifically, the best football club for youth development, do visit us at our facility in Ulsoor or call us on +91 8296170556. 

Address: South United Football Club, RBANM’s Ground, Gate No. 3, Gangadhar Chetty Road, Near Ulsoor Lake, Bengaluru – 560042. 

All You Need to Know About the SUFC Academy in Bangalore

South United Football Club was started in 2012 and has been devoted to providing youth with a pathway in football since its inception. This has been evident through its Football Club, Soccer Schools, Academy, Sports Camps, Clinics, Events and Infrastructure, and the Foundation. SUFC has even set up its own state-of-the-art, international standard Academy in the heart of Bangalore! Whether you are new to the city or inquiring about the Academy, below are a few things you ought to know!

1) All-inclusive – The South United Football Club Academy is open to players from the ages of 3 years onwards and welcomes both girls and boys to be a part of the training. There are distinctive programmes tailor-made to suit players of different age groups and levels. Students looking to shift to Bangalore as well can also register with the Academy.

2) Top-Notch Coaching – The SUFC Academy is the best Elite Football Academy in Bangalore that hires qualified professionals across the board. This includes the Academy’s Technical Director, the Head of Youth Development, the Head of Soccer Schools, as well as the other coaching staff. South United has appointed Mr. Terry Phelan, a former Manchester City and Ireland National Team player, as the Technical Director, along with a team of certified coaches holding UEFA Pro and AIFF Accredited C and D Licences.

3) Exceptional Infrastructure - Few academies can boast of an 11-a-side, 6-a-side, and a 3-a-side pitch, all in the same facility. To enhance the training sessions, South United has also set up a Running Track and a Sandpit. Along with this, the Academy also has other facilities and amenities like a Gym, a Medical Centre as well as a Café.

4) Prime Location – Located in Ulsoor, Bangalore, the South United Football Club Academy is easily accessible to all. Situated in the centre of the city, this Bangalore Soccer Academy is convenient for anyone who wishes to join.

5) Progressive Pathway – As an Elite Football Academy in Bangalore, right from the beginning, South United has always provided a clear roadmap for its students. Players who have been a part of the Football Club have even gone on to play for renowned ISL and I League Teams or have also been called to trial for the Under 22 National Team. Former SUFC Player Sudipta Malakar was even selected this year to play for Maldivian Team, LT Sports.

To know more about this Bangalore Soccer Academy and the training programmes available, call us on +91 8296170556, or visit the facility at the following address: South United Football Club, RBANM's Ground, Gate No. 3, Gangadhar Chetty Road, Near Ulsoor Lake, Bengaluru - 560042.