2025 SPRING TERM TRAINING UPDATE
Jan + Feb - London & St Albans
Our team of UD coaching staff have been delighted to witness the dedication and growth of all our players since the start of the year, and we eagerly anticipate another month of exciting development on the pitch as we build towards an amazing new year as a club. Please find all the relevant training updates for you children training topics below;
Defending Fundamentals and Techniques:
February ended with our players honing in on their defending skills and strategy off the ball. Each of our training group have been mastering the fundamentals of effective defending, focusing on positioning, marking, and tackling with purpose. As we all know, a strong defence is absolutely crucial for any successful team, and our young players are building a solid foundation in this critical aspect of the game to support them in their development and UD league teams!
Advanced Finishing with Pressure and Precision:
As we approached the end of the second month of the UDFC Spring term, our players delved deeper into the nuances and of finishing. Each of our training groups have practiced techniques of scoring under pressure, making precise shots, and taking full advantage on scoring opportunities even in challenging situations. Whether the ball is in the air or on the ground, we have taught our UD players how to utilise their body and strength to hold off any defenders in order to allow them the time and space to execute an effective shot on goal. These advanced techniques will ultimately empower them to be effective goal-scorers and improve their all-round standard as players.
Finishing and Scoring Fundamentals:
This term we have placed a huge emphasis on the importance of creating and finishing chances to score. Whilst that is easier than to be said, our UD coaches have been working diligently to support our players with the technique to score from short and long range in order to capitalise on the opportunities they are presented with on-field. All of our age groups have been working on their shooting accuracy, ball control in the box, and the art of goal-scoring including the difficulty of facing oncoming pressure/ recovery runs for the opposition team.
Moreover, beyond the technical topics above, our coaching team continues to incorporate the values of teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship in each UD training session. We firmly believe that football is a team sport that thrives on collaboration and mutual respect among players. Our UD community is growing stronger with each passing day, and we look forward to seeing our players flourish in both their skills and their understanding of the beautiful game.
Defending Principles of Play
To kick off the month of February, our UD players were all tasked with the various techniques and unit concepts to defend effectively. From our youngest players to our eldest UD members, our players were challenged with 1v1 scenarios in order to upskill them on the timing and execution to win the ball from the opposing attacker. For some of our older age groups, we advanced some of these defensive drills in order to teach them the importance of their body shape and angles in order to press and delay the attacker's progress. All of our UD coaches saw remarkable improvements and this has followed our players to defend with purpose throughout the subsequent weeks.
Futsal Highlights London
2025 has kicked off at full speed at United Dragons, and our futsal sessions have reached new heights! Our Futsal programme is quickly becoming one of the most popular across all our sessions. With games played on a fast surface in a small space, players get significantly more touches on the ball compared to a football session, making Futsal incredibly enjoyable and a huge confidence booster.
Our UD superstars have been working on multiple aspects of the game every week. While Futsal places a strong emphasis on technical ability, from attacking to defending, at United Dragons, we ensure that players can effectively transfer their futsal skills to the football pitch.
Let's check it out a few highlights from our programmes:
UD Futsal Foundation
Our Foundation Programme is designed to prepare young Futsallers for the next stage, accelerating their technical development to enhance ball control, quick decision-making, confidence in dribbling opponents, precision in passing, and tactical awareness—both on and off the ball. All of this happens within the fast-paced, high-intensity environment that defines futsal.
One of the most noticeable attributes our players develop through these sessions is a significant boost in confidence on the ball and improved ball mastery. Their technical abilities stand out even more when they transition onto the football pitch, giving them a clear advantage.
These key improvements are why we remain committed to growing our programme, continually motivated to help young players reach new levels. The future looks bright, and we can’t wait to see what’s next!
UD Futsal Development
Building on the strong technical foundation developed in our Foundation Programme, UD Development is the next step in preparing young players for a higher level of performance. This stage focuses on refining and enhancing technical ability, tactical awareness, and overall game intelligence, ensuring players are equipped to excel in both futsal and football.
In this phase, players are challenged to master ball control under pressure, make quicker and smarter decisions in tight spaces, and develop confidence in 1v1 situations both offensively and defensively. Precision in passing and movement becomes even more essential, as players learn to read the game better, understanding angles and positioning to gain an advantage on the pitch.
Through UD Development, players continue to grow in a fast-paced, high-intensity environment that demands quick thinking and technical sharpness. The transition from futsal to football becomes even smoother, with noticeable improvements in confidence, composure, and game intelligence.
This programme is designed for those ready to take their game to the next level. The journey continues, and we are excited to develop the next generation of talented players.
UD Small-Sided Technical Training
Our Small-Sided Technical Training programme has been making a huge impact, providing players with a unique development-focused environment where individual growth is the priority. With a 6:1 player-to-coach ratio both outfields and goalkeepers, each session is tailored to enhance technical abilities through close guidance, high repetition, and personalised feedback. Players have the opportunity to refine their skills in a high-quality learning environment that pushes them to improve their technique, decision-making, and overall confidence on the ball.
One of the biggest successes of the programme has been the noticeable progress in ball control, dribbling, passing accuracy, and overall technical sharpness. The small-group setting allows players to get maximum touches on the ball, receive immediate, individual feedback, and work on specific areas of improvement in real-time.
At United Dragons, we are committed to providing the best possible environment for player development, and our Small-Sided Technical Training continues to be an exciting part of that journey. We can't wait to see our players take their game to the next level!