Defending training
This training type trains the defending skill for all central defender and wingbacks. About 13% of the managers train defending. Note that defensive positions also trains the defending skill, for more players (midfield as well) but at a slower rate (about 50 % of defending training).
Pros
- Training defenders is traditionally the most profitable training regime
- Up to ten players may be trained every week, the maximum among primary skill training regimes
- Interesting tactical options, involving CA, and different uses of wingbacks
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.
- Managers must choose between training at maximum potential, or switching to a 'better' formation with fewer players at the back in league games
- Defence trainers often need to buy defenders with passing, enabling them to counter attack. These players will not recoup full value at the time of selling
- Training is the slowest of the main training types
- Lack of goals means supporters are reluctant to follow your club
- Can be boring, as players take some time to increase in skill, and games are low scoring
- Difficult for newbies, as defence is less important in lower series.
Possible training plan
Here is a training plan for a team playing 4-5-1 and 4-4-2 for league games and 5-4-1 for friendlies. The idea is to maximize the number of a-teamers who are receiving training.
4 defender trainees.
1 winger who plays in defence in friendlies and so is also a trainee to become a nice balanced wingback. 19-20yo and as much wing as you can afford.
4 IMers who also train defence in friendlies.
1 winger who is old and cheap.
2 forwards who are old and cheap.
This gives you the flexibility to play all permutations of 4-5-1 and 4-4-2 in competitive matches, with any amount of F, W, and WTM you like. It also keeps your outlay low as your non-defence players are also trainees during the friendlies, and means you don't have many players hanging around not training and not accumulating value (only 3 A teamer outfielders are non training). And you still have the full complement of 9 trainees!
Note this regime increases the chance of injuries to your IM players as they play twice each week, which is why they need to be young so they heal fast!
Multi-skilled training plan
Imagine a hypothetical multi-skilled "dream team". How many players in this team would benefit from defending training? Perhaps something along the lines of the following at an age in the early 20s and with a useful spec (head or powerful).
1 x GK- with a primary skill high enough to achieve your goal when combined with the training your plan will give him but low enough not to blow out your wages in the meantime.
4x NIMs- with primary as above and decent passing
2 x CDs- with around BRI-WC PM
2x WBs- with around BRI-WC winger
This would total 9 long term trainees. The other slot could be used on whatever you like. Alternatively one could play 4-4-2, 4-5-1 instead and not fill the other slot.
Federations
- Defense Trainers
- Nederlandse Verdedigings Federatie (Dutch)
- Föderation für Abwehrspieler (German)
- Pakkitreenarit! (Finnish)
