Youth training - physical, mental or technical?

[ryandormer]

I've heard conflicting things about the best way to set training focus for youth players. I've heard some say do not train physical attributes, as they develop naturally. I've heard others say that it's the best time to train physical attributes, because it will enhance the natural development.

What do you find to be the best attributes to focus on--physical, mental or technical attributes?

[Plugpin]

I have seen some schedules others have created and they tend to be developed to focus on the club DNA/style of play you want to go with. These did include both physical and tactical elements, which seems to work well for young players in my experience. 

Once a player reaches 18 they really need to be on the pitch to develop the mental attributes. So if you can get them a successful loan then it doesn't really matter what you're training them on as they won't be in your team to get trained.  

I'm sure others will correct me if I am wrong, but this is my understanding. 

[LHurlz]

7 minutes ago, Plugpin said:

I have seen some schedules others have created and they tend to be developed to focus on the club DNA/style of play you want to go with. These did include both physical and tactical elements, which seems to work well for young players in my experience. 

Once a player reaches 18 they really need to be on the pitch to develop the mental attributes. So if you can get them a successful loan then it doesn't really matter what you're training them on as they won't be in your team to get trained.  

I'm sure others will correct me if I am wrong, but this is my understanding. 

Think you're pretty much bang on here but important to note that it's not necessary for a player to be playing every single week until maybe the age of 20/21.  A decent amount of league/cup starts a season will suffice until then.

[Plugpin]

32 minutes ago, LHurlz said:

Think you're pretty much bang on here but important to note that it's not necessary for a player to be playing every single week until maybe the age of 20/21.  A decent amount of league/cup starts a season will suffice until then.

Thats true, I used to turn down loan requests for youth because they said the player would be a squad player or rotation option, this was in favour of offers of being a regular starter but at a lesser club. Once I figured that they wouldn't need so much game time but would benefit more from the better training facilities, my players seemed to be happier with their loans.  

[jmpaparone]

I tested different schedules on a same youth squad, reloading the game at the start of the year to compare improvements.

I think that the physical focus works (but you cannot abuse it, i mean 6-7 sessions is enough to maximize the benefits). You should give them some playing time in A team as well (great improvements) or B team (if it's better level than U19).

[ryandormer]

Thanks for the response, guys.

How about the 'additional focus' bit? 

For example, I've signed this youngster, who has apparently got great potential, and I'm hoping to turn him into a bit of an all-rounder up front.

Should I set additional focus to 'strength' in order to increase his relatively poor strength and jumping reach? Or should I instead focus on technical attributes, and hope that physical attributes increase naturally to an adequate extent?

[KlaaZ]

I'd focus on his decisions, off the ball, anticipation and finishing first. 

[eXistenZ]

I'm the only one who finds it a really weird/unfortunate regen? His defensive abilities (tackling, marking) are unusually high for a winger/striker. Which eats into his CA i assume?

 

On topic: i guessthat sending a player out on loan to a league that isnt simulated (for example lower than Serie C when in Italy) is counterproductive?

[ryandormer]

1 hour ago, eXistenZ said:

I'm the only one who finds it a really weird/unfortunate regen? His defensive abilities (tackling, marking) are unusually high for a winger/striker. Which eats into his CA i assume?

 

Maybe convert him into an attacking full back?

 

1 hour ago, eXistenZ said:

On topic: i guessthat sending a player out on loan to a league that isnt simulated (for example lower than Serie C when in Italy) is counterproductive?

I've read somewhere that you should try to avoid sending a player on loan to a non-simulated league, but I don't know for certain if it makes a difference.

[ryandormer]

3 hours ago, KlaaZ said:

I'd focus on his decisions, off the ball, anticipation and finishing first. 

This is the sort of thing I was asking about--is there a type of attribute that should be prioritised for youth players?

Aside from finishing, all of those recommendations are mental attributes. So should you train youth players in mental, technical or physical? Does a youth player respond better to mental, technical or physical training? Or is there no preference?

[KlaaZ]

I don't know about that, I've just always focused my younger players on their weaknesses first, whether those are mental, technical or physical is irrelevant for me. IF they are in more than one category, I might prioritize the physical ones first. Regarding your regen, physicals aren't really an issue, except maybe his strength and balance. But I feel that the attributes I mentioned are more important to him as a striker, so I'd give those priority. 

[ryandormer]

5 minutes ago, KlaaZ said:

I don't know about that, I've just always focused my younger players on their weaknesses first, whether those are mental, technical or physical is irrelevant for me. IF they are in more than one category, I might prioritize the physical ones first. Regarding your regen, physicals aren't really an issue, except maybe his strength and balance. But I feel that the attributes I mentioned are more important to him as a striker, so I'd give those priority. 

 That makes sense, thanks for the advice

[KlaaZ]

2 hours ago, eXistenZ said:

I'm the only one who finds it a really weird/unfortunate regen? His defensive abilities (tackling, marking) are unusually high for a winger/striker. Which eats into his CA i assume?

 

On topic: i guessthat sending a player out on loan to a league that isnt simulated (for example lower than Serie C when in Italy) is counterproductive?

It happens quite often in FM21, which is good. Makes you think about retraining players to other positions that suit them better. 

Example from my own save, Mads Molgaard. Came through as a central defender with terrible tackling, marking, heading, positioning, concentration and strength. On the other hand, he had high dribbling, finishing, and decent off the ball and composure. So I retrained him as a striker (where he was, I believe, already competent or something).