Defending training

Pros

Training defenders is often considered the most profitable training regime because it allows for ten players each week, the maximum among primary skill training regimes, to receive full training if the manager plays a 5-4-1, 5-3-2 or 5-5-0 formation in both the league game and the friendly or cup match.

Cons

Due to maximal training depending on playing five defenders each game, the attack and midfield of a defense trainer is necessarily weakened, as half the team is playing in defense. This creates a dichotomy: either train at maximum potential, ten trainees a week, or switch to a formation with fewer players at the back in league games (4-4-2 and the ever-present 3-5-2 are the two most used formations in this instance). The debate over which is preferable is one which will "rage" among defense trainers if you bring it up on the forums.

Some defense trainers have chosen to find a happy medium between the two, training offensive central defenders or offensive wingbacks.