Team training | Training FM 2014 Guide

Last update: 11 May 2016

Team training is a general form of training for all of the team. In its options you can change training's frequency and time proportion between match and general training. Moreover, you can choose a few days off for your team if you want.

It's a good idea to change the main focus according to your needs and strategy. You can set main focus for each week and change intensity. You should for example lower the intensity or give your players a day off when they're going to play two matches in a short time. You should also consider ticking a day off before and after a match. You shouldn't overwork your players because it leads to lowering their fitness and happiness, and finally to playing worse.

Main focus

Differences in main focus:

Balanced	All attributes are practiced, no focus on a specific one.
Fitness	Focus on fitness, strength and general condition. Mainly following attributes: Strength, Agility, Balance, Acceleration, Jumping reach.
Ball control	Focus on technical attributes, mainly: Dribbling, Technique, First touch, Heading.
Tactics	Focus on tactical attributes, mainly: Anticipation, Composure, Teamwork, Decisions and Concentration.
Defending	Focus on playing in defence, mainly: Marking and Tackling.
Attacking	Focus on offensive attributes like: Finishing, Long shots, Passing and Creativity.
Team cohesion	The training won't focus on improving specific attributes but on team cohesion, which leads to keeping a high morale, improving communication between players, relations in the team and finally to better cohesion and playing.

Pick a training that matches your needs. A few examples below.

1. You use mainly defensive strategy, playing counters so focus on practicing defense and condition.

2. You play offensive, fast football your priorities should be offense and controlling the ball.

3. You want high possession -focus on controlling the ball mixed with playing offensively or defensively depending on the style you prefer.

Properly selected training will improve mainly the attributes you want. It's a good idea to take a look at team cohesion, especially between the seasons and when you get new players.

Intensity

Training intensity - time and energy your players spend to increase their attributes. The more intensity you set, the more tired the players will be. You should stick to the rule of setting the biggest possible intensity that keeps players happy. You can check overall workload in the lower right corner. If most players are happy with their training, you shouldn't change intensity for the team, just lower it for players who aren't content. You should also lower intensity during weeks with 2 matches, in favor of match training. Remember to keep your players happy and not exhausted and everything will be alright.

Pre-season training

After finishing the season, your players will go on (more or less deserved) vacations. They won't train all this time. When they return to the club, their attributes will be a bit lower and their form won't be at their best. To prepare your players for the season, you have to mostly take care of their form. To do it, set their training intensity to very high and focus on fitness. Watch as their fitness for the season increases until they're ready. Then you can set the training to any focus you want. Don't forget to practice team cohesion, especially when you have new players.

Match training

During the match training your players practice selected elements to prepare for meeting the opposition. You should set your match training for every opponent and strategy you're going to choose for the match. In the Scheduling bar you can distribute time between match training and general training. It can be up to 50% for each. You can also ignore match training and focus on general one. It can be useful during weeks with more matches.

Focus options in match training:

Tactics only	Focus mainly on tactical preparation. The players will practice your tactics, and when they understand it, they play better.
Teamwork	The training will focus on teamwork and concentrating communication on the field so everything runs like a clockwork.
Def. positioning	Your players' defensive attributes will increase for a moment. It's good to use this option when you're going to play against stronger opponents and you plan to play from counters.
Att. movement	Offensive attributes will increase. Use this option if you're going to play against weaker enemies and you want to push them into defence.
Def. set pieces	Focus on defensive set pieces. Use it if you lose a lot of points during set pieces.
Att. set pieces	Focus on attacking free kicks and corners. Recommended against strong enemies, where set pieces may be the best (or only) way to score goals.