COACHES CORNER - LEWIS CHAPLIN

With the immediate positive impression Lewis made both with the players and the UDFC staff, it is a pleasure to say that Lewis has developed into one our best lead coaches.

We caught up with Lewis earlier in the week to find out a little more about him..

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Daryl Moore
Scarlett's UD Journey

January 2021, we focus on our Head Coach, Ben Richards. We caught up with Ben and asked him 10 questions.

Ben is one of our most experienced coaches and his professionalism coupled with his knowledge of the game makes him a real asset to the Dragons and a really interesting read.

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Daryl MooreComment
ISLINGTON BOXING CLUB

UD proudly partnered with Islington Boxing Club in March 2020 with a clear mission to bring more access to sport and to raise enough money to re-develop IBC’s new home

We are thoroughly excited of what UD x IBC have planned for you all.

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Daryl MooreComment
UD x Coaches Corner

January 2021, we focus on our Head Coach, Ben Richards. We caught up with Ben and asked him 10 questions.

Ben is one of our most experienced coaches and his professionalism coupled with his knowledge of the game makes him a real asset to the Dragons and a really interesting read.

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Daryl MooreComment
January 2021 Training Summary

January 2021 saw us packing up our UD online training schedule with activities each day in an effort to keep all our players active and engaged during these weeks in lockdown. We have a diverse range of sessions aside from football including Futsal, Fitness, ‘Skill of The Week’ and our UD Saturday Family Fitness session.

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Daryl Moore Comment
UD x PERSONAL TRAINING

At United Dragons we have loved our Tuesday and Saturday Fitness classes. We feel that so much attention is often placed on children’s technical qualities that the physical side gets ignored. Health and exercise is such an important part of life that we have decided to pay it the attention it deserves. Every Tuesday we conduct a kids fitness class which is made up of bodyweight exercises designed to raise the heart rate, get a good sweat on and maintain a good level of fitness.

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Daryl MooreComment
UD x Alive and Kicking

Our charity partners, in which we wear their logo proudly, Alive and Kicking is the world’s only not-for-profit ball manufacturer. Their centres across sub-Saharan Africa create hundreds of ethical jobs for adults facing disadvantage. Profits from balls sales and additional fundraising give young people access to sport and health education through A+K ball donations and the delivery of effective sport based health programmes.

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Daryl Moore
The First Name on the Team Sheet

“For a goalkeeper, there is no hiding place.” Brad Friedel, former premier league and USA goalkeeper.

“Goalkeeping is just different. Everyone says we’re crazy or something. But it’s more a case of us working under different pressure, thinking about the game differently.” Asmir Begovic, Former Premier League and Bosnian International goalkeeper.

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Daryl Moore
UD.... AND THAT'S A WRAP!!

2020 hasn’t been what everyone expected, however rather than accepting defeat, we have had one of our most amazing years to date.

With 2020 coming to a close, we thought it would be important to reflect on the amazing progress that our UD players have made across a year filled with distractions and long periods of no football.

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Daryl Moore
Benefits of Playing in Multiple Positions

In youth football, players often get placed in positions based on their physical attributes – the speedy child more often than not is a winger or striker, the tall kid is a defender or goalkeeper, and so on. These generalisations can be very detrimental to the development of the player.

‘He is definitely a defender’ - ‘She is unquestionably our striker’ - How many times have we heard this in grassroots football?

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Daryl Moore Comments
UD: League Player Evaluation

Throughout the league season, the United Dragons League Managers have been taking notes on each individual player after each game, focusing on strengths and areas of development.
We are constantly assessing each child and are frequently thinking about ways in which to accelerate the development of all players.

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Daryl Moore
The Silent Coach

Every Saturday morning, I travel to Regents Park and I think to myself, how can I get the best out of the players in today’s match? What can I say to them that will have a positive effect on their performance? Often the answer isn’t in words, it’s in silence.

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Daryl Moore Comments
WINNING v DEVELOPMENT

I think as coaches we should not be afraid of talking about winning. It is part of their development and progression as children grow up. It is vitally important we teach our children how to win as well as how to lose; children often learn much more about themselves in defeat than in victory.

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Daryl Moore Comments
THE IMPORTANCE OF SPORT AND EXERCISE DURING LOCKDOWN

With Lockdown 2.0 putting a sudden halt to all organised sport, it is more important than ever we keep our children physically active, socially engaged and mentally healthy.
Sport has the power to enrich so many lives, raise self-esteem and confidence which in turn can lead to life long lasting skills.

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Daryl Moore
INTRODUCING OUR NEW HUB - talkDRAGONS

talkDRAGONS will publish our very own thought provoking weekly blog based on topical football issues surrounding youth Football and Futsal.
These blogs will attempt to dissect youth Football and raise awareness of key factors that influence our game; such as, nutrition, psychology, tactical awareness in Football.

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Daryl Moore