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Thank you BigT for this great initiative
I would like to add some things:
•If your player needs ballhandling and/or driving, the best option to train (this is my opinion/experience) it is 1vs1 SF/PF. Also if you're training a PG or a SG! This has the advantage that not only driving, ballhandling (about every 2 weeks) and jumpshot (4-5 weeks) will progress, but also his Inside shot (4-5 weeks). I myself prefer to play with guards that have their IS trained too (for exemple till 8).

•For the SF position their isn't really an ideal skillset for the U21, because the SF is the most difficult to train. I would say that if you're training a SF for the U21 team, you should make a decision between an outside SF or an inside SF. The decision often depends on the height of your player : <201 cm --> outside SF , >201 cm --> inside SF
Both types should require at least 10 OD and 10 ID, but if you're training an outside SF, you should be aiming more for his outside skills ( 10 JS , 8 JR) , if you want an inside SF this is a nice goal : 10 IS, 8 RB

•If you're draftee has a potential MVP or higher, I would advise to start with training the secondaries first till an acceptable level.
For guards : IS, ID till 8
for PF/ C: JS, OD, PA till 7-8
You don't have to be affraid that he won't reach the U21 anymore if you 'waste' a season of training. This isn't wasting, it's preparing for the NT. And probably, your player could be used as a SF when he's 21 years old.

• 19 year old draftees (potential 6 or higher) can also reach the U21 team, so think again before you put it up for sale or dismiss him.

If you have questions, don't hesitate, just ask ;)

Excellent post / topic.

I won't come back on the reasons that make the training of a young player worthwhile ; of course this is an unique opportunity to create a player with a very special skill-set, ou get a top-player for a very reasonable fee.

The process of training may also generate a lot of cash, if that's what you're after.

It is also a great asset to the national teams, provided you train belgian talents.


What is the lowest potential players my players should have to make it to the national teams ?

Provided of course, that these are belgian players.

- U21 : allstar (6) but it is common to call in star (5) players. I wouldn't recommend on focus training on lower potential players, as they are in great risk of hitting their potential cap before they turn 22.

- NT : MVP (9) is the minimum potential your player should have. Perhaps that 8 could be enough in the case of a SF, but for PG, SG, PF and C, MVP is mandatory.

OK, I'm giving it a try, how should I start ?

You need at least a level 4 coach. Without that, you player will be training too slowly - you may of course end up with a nice player, but he'll never be part of the NTs, and the additionnal training time may be painful. Save yourself the pain, get a level 4 coach :)

Second, you should have a very precise idea of what you would like your player to look like when you're done with him. Do I want both defenses at 14 ? Do I want my big man to have strong outside defensive skills ? Do I want my SG to be an insane inside shooter ? This is the very first thing you should decide.

Third, you will need a training plan in order to reach this goal. This is by far the hardest thing to do ! I can't never tell enough to ask the U21, the NT coach, or any experienced player like Vottem Cowboys' Joe who will be able to give you worthwhile advice.

E.g. starting off with 1v1 SF/PF is most of the time the best approach you can do, since raising driving & handling will make other skills like outside defense or inside shooting level much faster. This kind of "tips" as well as many other things can be discussed with experience managers, we don't bite so don't be afraid to ask !

Fourth, and once again a tough task, STICK TO THE PLAN ! Any change might be very damaging and it is very easy to make a shitty player out of a promising draftee.

Shit, my dude didn't make it to the NT/U21, did I get screwed ?

Not everyone is The One. Even with a good draftee and a nice skill plan with the right coach, things might take an unwanted and unexpected turn. Injuries, foul problem, loss of training, ... much nastiness may happen on the path to glory.

You're not screwed. Perhaps your player isn't as good as you thought he'd be, but still he is damn good if you have been training him 5 seasons long.

And you have gained worthwhile experience for the next try !

Yeah, my dude now worthly wears national colours. What shall I do ?

- He's in the team, so managing his game shape and thus his playing time is absolutely necessary ! Make him play between 50 and 70 minutes each week and his game shape will continously be at 8 or 9.

- Keep up his training ! You've been working hard to get him in there, you don't want him out. So, keep up training ...


I hope this might have some of you managers the taste of training. This is a very grateful task, adds a little spice to the game, and I don't think you'll meet a manager who regrets it.

And, one last time, don't be afraid to talk to others. Me, C3C, Joe, BigT, ... we can help out (that's what we're here for BTW).

Enjoy and ... good training ;-)

Absolutely min. requirements are :

for outside players :

JS 15
OD 18
DR 16
HA 16
PA 12
JR depends highly on the IS

for inside players :

ID 16
RB 14
SB 11
IS very depends on the skillset of the player, in some cases might be very low (12)
HA/DR/JS as high as possible
some passing as well.

for SF :

OD + ID both 14 at the very least
high DR/HA (15)
very good PA (11)
some rebound (9)

SF require all skills to be leveled up, therefore it is not uncommon to use different styles of SF according to the tactics used. In Belgium, there is right now no allround SF.

This is all very "vague". It is very common to "forget" about a min. requirement provided the player has a unique skill-set allowing a particular tactic to be performed.

Don't forget that "almighty" players are extremely rare. E.g. we have players suited to inside tactics, or outside ones, and potential doesn't always allow to do everything is wanted with a particular player.

Although the information labelled above is correct, there is a lot to take into consideration. Level-up speed, manager needs, NT needs, other potential players with a similar skill-set, startup level as a draftee, etc ...

Another important thing to know is : a player aiming at NT will probably follow a path that won't get him into the U21. That's why it is of the utmost importance that any manager willing to aim for that should talk to the appropriate manager ASAP (U21 or NT) as training won't probably be the same.

However, the very fiirst season, 1v1 SF/PF is almost mandatory.

I hope this answers your question ?

Last edited by Dartreb at 5/26/2015 6:28:20 AM

Right enough, I'll fix it ASAP.

1v1 SF/PF. 100 % sure, that's almost a mandatory requirement for a great potential player.

I'm in doubt of what to train this week more likely I would prefer Stamina because my 3 players can use it on the other hand I can't miss some training in ID on Jose and Rudolf but their stamina could use the training aswell together with Janick.

what would you guys do in this case I know training al 3 the players in impossible this week in ID therefor Janinck will fall out of it. ( he's the weakest f the 3 but ha sthe highest potential)
other 2 have 3 and 4 on stamna

all 3 are bigs
gtrs Snoobs