Play at Bengaluru’s Top Football Club!

Playing a sport with passion usually results in a good game but pair it along with technique and skills, and it will bring out your best game! Though it is a constant process, one can put their best foot forward and excel in football by learning the game at a football club that offers professional guidance and a structured learning process.

Be it for recreational purposes or building a profession, the best academies in football can enhance your potential, develop your skills, and offer you world-class resources to up your game! A good pitch to play on is just one of the basic facilities of a good football club. For an all-round training experience, they offer everything one needs to play the sport with full capacity, from proper nutrition and gym access to great opportunities in the big leagues! 

SUFC (South United Football Club) is one such Football Club and the first privately-owned professional Club in Bangalore. Launched in 2012 and being one of the top Bangalore football clubs, its vision aims at being the leading creator of a sustainable sporting ecosystem with the mission of setting up successful pathways in the following:

• Training on FIFA standard turfs: 11-a-side, 6-a-side, and 3-a-side pitches; and floodlights for events, night matches, and training.

• Football Programmes run by licensed and qualified coaches.

• Infrastructure offering 1000 pax seating capacity, car parking, storeroom for equipment, showers and changing rooms for men and women, and much more!

• Health and Fitness through a cafeteria that offers nutritious food, a gym with the latest equipment and training staff, a medical and physiotherapy room, an ice bath/steam treatment room, and other top-notch amenities.

• Science and Technology offering the latest world-class technology for analytics and training.

The best academies in football, like SUFC, offer more than just basic services so that students can have a comprehensive and all-round learning experience that is best suited for pursuing a professional career in the future. 

Having trained more than a whopping 8,800 children in India, the South United Football Club ranked among the top two in the BDFA Super Division four times and participated in the 2nd Division I-League twice.

Joining a football club will not only develop your skills but will also help you play in state as well as international teams. SUFC, one of the best Bangalore football clubs, also brings in scouts and coaches that may pick top talent from the Club.

Essential Football Drills Players Should Master

If you want to know how to dribble a football properly on your own and prepare for modern game requirements, you could use the help of cones. All youth football academies make use of cones in their drills. Cones help you to improve your ball control and change direction more easily.

Although cones do not resemble a living opponent, do not underestimate the importance of cones because it refines your dribbling skills. You will need to learn how to move and control the ball before you encounter a real-life defender. These dribbling drills help to improve the player’s weaker foot, which will boost his/her overall confidence in the game as well as enhance one’s ball control skills.

Cone Weave

Cone Weave is one of the most popular exercises for the development of dribbling skills, and many have encountered it at an early stage. Ten to fifteen cones need to be set up in a straight

line about a foot and a half apart from each other. Dribble with one foot between the cones in a zigzag pattern. Make as many slight touches as possible and control each touch, ensuring that you do not push out and chase the ball. Even though these drills are simple, they are extremely essential as they teach you how to use all parts of your foot and enhance game-specific agility.

Figure Eight

The Figure Eight drill requires only two cones set about three to five feet apart. You need to dribble the ball in and around the cones, thus creating an imaginary number eight. This football dribbling drill has many variations, but some general rules apply to all of them. Do not take long steps because long steps take more time, and you might lose control of the ball. If you take short quick steps while keeping an eye on the ball, your dribbling practice will benefit you more. Position your body correctly and be ready to change direction fast. Make sure you are always over the ball with slightly bent knees because this allows you to have a lower center of gravity.

Zigzag Slalom

Zigzag Slalom combines ball control and speed. This drill also helps improve agility and quickness as it requires players to make a sharp turn and a short-distance sprint. The Zigzag Slalom focuses on dribbling fast with the inside, the outside, and the bottom of the foot. Set up cones about 15 feet apart in a zigzag pattern. The length of the zigzag should stretch approximately 60 feet. Players must line up at the last cone with a ball each. Start by dribbling the ball around the outside of the cones in a zigzag pattern. Once you reach the end, sprint back the distance of the zigzag course and return to the start.

Diagonal Dribble

Diagonal Dribble is among advanced dribbling drills for football because it imitates real-life movement and going past your opponents one by one. Four cones are required to set up this drill. Place one cone on the ground and put the next about six to eight feet away. The third cone should be around twelve to sixteen feet apart from the second one, and these three cones must form a ninety-degree angle. Keep the fourth cone six to eight feet from the third cone, and cones number two, three, and four must form a ninety-degree angle. Start dribbling from the first cone to the second, make a sharp turn to the third, and once you reach the third, make a sharp turn and move to the fourth cone. From there, return to the starting position.

These are all essential drills a player should know. Whether you play it with your friends on the streets or watch videos of top professionals defeating their opponents, the love for the game is never-ending. Yet, watching games alone will not improve one’s football dribbling skills. Thus, the player must train regularly and work hard until they get better.

For more tips and an opportunity to train with one of the best football academies in the city, call +91 8296170556 or visit www.sufcindia.com.

The Club of the Future – How SUFC’s Academy is Preparing Players with the Future of Indian Football in Mind

 South United is a multi-faceted company that has been dedicated to developing sports in India since its inception in 2012. It has always focused on supporting local talent and assisting young Indian players to achieve their goals, and through the South United ecosystem, it aims to provide a complete footballing pathway for players.  

To further these goals, South United has set up a state-of-the-art Football Academy in the heart of Bangalore. As one of the best football training youth academies in the city, it has 11-a-side, 6-a-side, and 3-a side pitches equipped with all-weather turfs and floodlights. It also has an AV Room, a Gym, a Running Track, a Medical Room, a Café, Dressing Rooms and Lockers, and several other amenities, giving its students access to a truly world-class setup. 

To provide the best football training in Bangalore, South United has also employed international and licensed coaches to execute its curriculum. The coaches are trained to provide all-round training to the students to challenge the players and help them improve their game. 

SUFC also provides age-specific coaching for girls and boys of all levels and capabilities. It has a Tots Programme, a Junior Development Programme, a Youth Development Programme, and an Elite Development Programme to cater to all students. It has also set up Under 13, Under 15, and Under 18 Elite Youth Teams that are training to participate in the I-League. The Academy aims to be a Centre of Excellence, helping players develop both on and off the field.  

As a leading Bengaluru Football Club, SUFC ensures that there are monthly evaluations conducted for every player coupled with quarterly meetings for both parents and students. Along with regular fitness tests, nutrition, physiotherapy, and gym sessions are also conducted for Academy players.  

SUFC promotes creative, free-thinking footballers who can make their own decisions. It aims to not only create good football players but also mould good human beings. Through its available resources, vast network, and pre-determined strategies, South United perseveres to fulfil its goal of providing each individual with the appropriate development model for them. The students will be given the chance to participate in local and state-run leagues and tournaments to give them the competitive exposure they need. Every step is undertaken with the objective of helping students progress through the different stages of the Academy up to state, national, and international levels.  

If you are looking for the best football training in Bangalore, head over to the SUFC Academy in Ulsoor. For more details about the football training programmes available, call +91 82961 70556 or drop an e-mail to info@sufcindia.com.  

Address: South United Football Club, RBANM’s Ground, Gate No. 3, Gangadhar Chetty Road, Near Ulsoor Lake, Bengaluru – 560042 (https://goo.gl/maps/4hWyX9HskbXdB5aU7) 

For regular updates, you can follow SUFC on the following platforms: 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/southunited  

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sufcindia  

Twitter: www.twitter.com/sufcindia  

YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/SUFCTVINDIA 

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. 

Why is Football a Good Sport for Kids?

 With several football clubs in Bangalore and across the world, football is a popular sport played by all kinds of people. While it can be played for fun or even competitively, football has several advantages for kids, and students who start at a younger age benefit more from it. The game is known to improve a child’s physical, social, and mental health.

• Physical Health Benefits – Football, as a sport, has numerous physical health benefits. It includes improving a child’s overall fitness and stamina, gaining stronger muscles and bones, and reducing the chances of becoming overweight. Football also builds a player’s endurance, strength, and flexibility. It aids with a child’s gross motor skills and teaches agility, balance, and co-ordination. Students also develop better sleep patterns as exercise acts as an outlet for their energy. Understanding this significance, South United is a football school in Bangalore that has hired experienced and competent staff to help students get the most out of every session.

• Social Health Benefits – Football can largely boost a child’s self-esteem, giving them the confidence required to deal with social situations. Children also learn how to play as a team and make friends. In football, every player is dependent on the other’s performance. At a young age, a student recognizes the need of putting the team’s goals above their individual ones. In a football match, in order to succeed, players need to communicate with each other throughout the game, and playing the sport shows them how to do so effectively. A child also imbibes several other life skills like discipline, commitment, and perseverance.

• Mental Health Benefits – Playing as a team and making friends all have a positive influence on one’s happiness. Exercise can help reduce stress and improve one’s mood. Besides boosting a kid’s self-confidence, the sport also teaches them grit and determination. Through the game, students learn how to deal with positive and negative outcomes. They understand how to deal with all kinds of situations in a calm and collected manner. It even shows them how to become tougher mentally, allowing them to cope with challenging situations more easily. Engaging in an activity regularly also helps with other mental health issues like anxiety.

If you are looking to join a prominent football school in Bangalore, visit the South United facility in Ulsoor! You can also follow SUFC on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for regular updates.

Instagram – www.instagram.com/southunited

Facebook – www.facebook.com/sufcindia

Twitter – www.twitter.com/SufcIndia

The Ideal Age to Start Football Training and the Best Coaching Methodologies

 Football is an extremely popular sport, and it is a dream for many younger players to play for a famous club or to represent their country. Professional players engage in football by the ages of 3 to 5 years and participate in coach-led practices or join a youth football academy by the ages of 6 and 7. Nowadays, professional clubs and national associations/federations are investing large amounts of money to identify and develop elite football players all over the world.

While there may be many factors that influence a decision to start football training, and it also differs from one child to another, the ideal time for a child to start is between the ages of 3 and 5 years. When they are younger, it is better to leave them to learn and explore the game of football without too many restrictions or rules.

From the ages of 3 to 5, children are able to run, jump, and throw. They start to learn and develop balance. Their vision is still developing at this age, and they can find it challenging to follow the ball if it is moving fast. There should be an aspect of free play during lessons so that they can learn to move in different ways and improve stability and balance. Since they are still learning coordination skills, one should ensure that they get enough time with the ball to comprehend how to interact with it.

KEY POINTS FOR ACADEMIES AND COACHES:

ENERGY AND ENTHUSIASM

Children tend to have a short attention span. This is especially true with students that are just starting football, and hence coaches need to keep the energy levels high. The best youth football academies meticulously plan their programmes to keep every player interested and involved in the sessions.

PATIENCE

Children don’t always behave perfectly for coaches. Typically, a new football player will use their hands on the ball or continue to dribble the ball even when they have travelled out of the pitch. A coach must always be patient with the students.

PASSION

If a coach is having fun and enjoying working with young children, the children will feel that enthusiasm, which, in turn, will rub off on the children.

EXPERIENCE

Toddlers and pre-school students are a unique group of children to deal with. Every training session with them is different, and it is better for more experienced coaches to handle them.

FUN

One of the things one should do when hiring coaches for younger age groups is to test their ability to be fun. At SUFC, we have found that the coaches or trainers who are willing to act a

little silly, gesture in funny ways, and play innovative games are the ones who captivate the interest of the children.

EARLY ENGAGEMENT

When children join the game at an early age, they should be encouraged. This initiation phase is to allow the children to discover the game. A professional youth football academy should conduct sessions suitable for learning fundamental movement skills and focus on creating a positive football experience. It is essential that children are exposed to a high-quality experience designed to meet their needs. This will be their first experience of practising and playing football in a good environment, which can be the deciding factor for whether or not football becomes their sport of choice. That is why the playing experience must be fun and exciting right from the start.

At South United, we ensure that age-specific training is provided at every level to ensure top-notch training for each student! If you are looking for one of the best youth football academies in Bangalore, call us on +91 8296170556 or visit our facility in Ulsoor today!

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

South United – The Best Place for Kids Who Want to Learn Football

With several academies and coaching centres across the country, most cater to a specific age group or skill. However, be it basic or advanced coaching, at South United Football Club, there are programmes for everyone. Starting from the age of 3 years, SUFC has successfully coached enthusiasts of all age groups. Apart from football coaching and training, South United also conducts camps and clinics during the year, giving kids who are starting off a chance to connect with the sport at a level they are comfortable with.

South United, the first privately-owned professional football club in Bangalore, was formed in 2012 and has conducted programmes in the sport across the country. These also include Football Clinics in Mumbai and Bangalore in partnership with the Real Madrid Foundation. Since the opening of the Academy Facility in Bangalore in 2019, South United has hosted the BDFA ‘A’ and ‘B’ Division Leagues, the Adidas Unfair Tournament, its own soccer training and camps, and is currently the official training ground for I-League 2 practice matches.

SUFC conducts the best football coaching in Bangalore by providing students with a proper pathway for football and is devoted to helping them achieve the best they can. The South United Football Club Academy helps players progress through the different phases of the Academy programme. The aim is to help them move upwards to the SUFC First Team squad, local and national youth teams, to teams that play in Senior Leagues, both nationally and internationally.

The main USPs of the South United Football Club Academy are its high-performance centre, curriculum, facility, and coaching systems and process, enabling it to provide the best football coaching in Bangalore. SUFC works with the best in the field of coaching across the world to prepare and deliver a curriculum that is best suited to the Indian physique and style. The sessions cover the technical, tactical, physical, mental, and social aspects of the sport.

At South United, students have the opportunity to learn and succeed in the game, make new friends, and progress both on and off the field! It is the best football school for kids, and we suggest that you enrol immediately so that you don’t miss out on the fun!

For more details:

Contact Number: 8296170556

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

E-mail ID: info@sufcindia.com

Register now!