FM26 Training Guide: Develop Your Players Effectively

Training is crucial for player development and team success in FM26. Here's everything you need to know.

Understanding FM26 Training System

Training Philosophy

FM26 training focuses on three pillars:

• Physical: Fitness, strength, stamina
• Technical: Skills, technique, passing
• Tactical: Positioning, teamwork, decisions

Training Intensity

• Very Light: Minimal injury risk, slow development
• Light: Low injury risk, steady development
• Medium: Balanced (recommended for most)
• Heavy: Fast development, increased injury risk
• Very Heavy: Rapid gains, high injury risk

Recommendation: Start with Medium, adjust based on fixtures

Training Schedule Best Practices

Pre-Season (4-6 weeks)

Focus on fitness and team cohesion

• Physical: 40%
• Technical: 30%
• Tactical: 30%
• Match Practice: 2x per week

Schedule Example:

• Monday: Physical - Fitness
• Tuesday: Tactical - Team Cohesion
• Wednesday: Technical - Ball Control
• Thursday: Match Practice
• Friday: Recovery
• Saturday: Match
• Sunday: Rest

In-Season (Match Every 3-4 Days)

Balance match prep with development

• Match Preparation: 50%
• Recovery: 20%
• Team Cohesion: 20%
• Individual Training: 10%

Schedule Example:

• Monday: Recovery
• Tuesday: Tactical - Def Positioning
• Wednesday: Match Practice
• Thursday: Team Cohesion
• Friday: Match Prep - Att Movement
• Saturday: Match
• Sunday: Rest

Mid-Season (Winter Break)

Focus on weaknesses and rest

• Technical training: Focus on weak areas
• Moderate intensity: Avoid injuries
• Team bonding: Improve cohesion

End of Season (Last 6 Weeks)

Rotate and rest key players

• Lower intensity: Prevent fatigue
• Youth focus: Develop youngsters
• Match sharpness: Maintain form

Individual Training

Role Training

Assign each player a role to train:

• First team players: Train current role
• Young players: Train future role
• Versatile players: Train secondary position

Example:

• Striker training as Advanced Forward
• Young CM training as Deep-lying Playmaker
• Winger training as Inside Forward

Additional Focus

Target specific attributes:

• Goalkeepers: Reflexes, Handling, Command of Area
• Defenders: Marking, Tackling, Positioning, Heading
• Midfielders: Passing, Vision, Decisions, Work Rate
• Attackers: Finishing, Dribbling, Pace, Composure

Priority Attributes:

1. Composure: Crucial for all positions
2. Decisions: Improves tactical awareness
3. Work Rate: Essential for pressing systems
4. Passing: Foundation of possession play
5. Pace/Acceleration: Game-changers

New Position Training

Teaching a player a new position:

• Takes 3-6 months minimum
• Start young (under 23 preferred)
• Natural position first, then branch out

Good Conversions:

• Full-back → Wing-back
• Central Midfielder → Defensive Midfielder
• Winger → Inside Forward
• Striker → Advanced Forward

Training Units

First Team vs U23s/U19s

Rule of Thumb: Put talented youngsters in first team training

Benefits:

• Higher competition level
• Learn from experienced players
• Faster attribute development
• Better tactical understanding

When to Use:

• Player good enough to be 18th-23rd in squad
• Age 17-21 with high potential
• Mentality group needs improvement

Mentoring

Pair young players with experienced professionals:

• Model Citizen personality ideal
• High determination (15+)
• High professionalism (15+)

Mentoring Groups:

• 1 senior player (28+)
• 2-4 young players (16-23)
• Same or similar positions

Workload Management

Match Congestion

Adjust based on fixture schedule:

• 2 matches/week: Lower to Light intensity
• 3 matches/week: Very Light + recovery
• No match: Can increase to Heavy

Age Considerations

• 17-23: Can handle Heavy workload
• 24-29: Medium workload optimal
• 30+: Light-Medium, more recovery

Injury Prevention

Watch for warning signs:

• High condition decline: Reduce intensity
• Knock concerns: Add recovery sessions
• Heavy legs: Rest day needed

Tactic Familiarity

Building Cohesion

New tactics take time to learn:

• Fluid familiarity: 4-6 weeks
• Complete understanding: 8-12 weeks

Accelerate Learning:

• Match practice focused on tactic
• Team cohesion sessions
• Keep formation consistent
• Minimize role changes

Multiple Tactics

Training two tactics simultaneously:

• Main tactic: 70% training time
• Backup tactic: 30% training time
• Similar formations learn faster (4-2-3-1 + 4-3-3)

Youth Development

Academy Graduates

17-18 year olds joining first team:

• Start in U23s if not ready
• Train with first team if talented
• Loan if no game time available
• Individual focus on weak attributes

Wonderkid Development Path

Age 16-18: U23s + occasional first team
Age 18-20: Rotation player, loans if needed
Age 20-22: Regular starter
Age 22+: Key player

Best Attributes to Train Young

Focus on hard-to-improve attributes:

• Pace & Acceleration: Train early (under 21)
• Technique: Best developed young
• Composure: Takes years to improve
• Decisions: Slow improvement

Training Facilities Impact

Facility Ratings

• Poor facilities: 50% development speed
• Average facilities: 100% baseline
• Excellent facilities: 150% development
• State-of-art: 200%+ development

Board Request Priority:

1. Training Facilities
2. Youth Facilities
3. Stadium (only after training maxed)

Common Mistakes

❌ Overtraining: Causes injuries and fatigue
✅ Balanced approach: Medium intensity default

❌ Ignoring individual training: Wasted potential
✅ Assign roles to everyone: Targeted development

❌ Same schedule year-round: Doesn't adapt to fixtures
✅ Dynamic adjustments: Based on match calendar

❌ Young players dominating youth teams: Stunts growth
✅ Promote to first team training: Competition breeds excellence

❌ Training only technical: Imbalanced development
✅ Physical + Technical + Tactical mix: Well-rounded players

Advanced Tips

1. Schedule around injuries: If many injuries, lower intensity immediately
2. Pre-match preparation: Day before match should be light
3. International breaks: Increase intensity when players return
4. Loan players: Ensure parent club has good training
5. Veterans: More rest days = longer careers

Training Schedule Downloads

Many FM26 community members share optimized schedules:

• FM Scout training section
• Sort It Out SI training packs
• Reddit r/footballmanagergames

Always test schedules with your squad before committing!

Monitoring Progress

Check monthly:

• Attribute changes: Are target attributes improving?
• Injury rates: Too high? Lower intensity
• Condition: Players fatigued? More recovery
• Development: Young players progressing?

Remember: Training is a long-term investment. Consistency > short-term gains!