Hi Roy,

You are correct in your thought process except for SL5 age 4, he really only needs to be coached once to level 6 as he will lose 5 levels due to being age 4 and all players lose the levels based on his age plus 1.

So your two players next year will be SL2 age VI and SL 1 age V providing you coach him once this season, both can be converted to back room boys.

Hope this helps

Simon

No, the age IV has to be raised two levels.  The rules state that any player who drops below SL 2 will be automatically retired.  If the player reduces to SL 1, he will retire BEFORE you have a chance to convert him to a BRB.  In order for a player to survive aging he must be at minimum age 4, SL 7 or age 5, SL 8 or age 6, SL 9.  Any player that drops to SL 1 or 0 or lower due to aging cannot convert to a BRB.  The rules state that a retired player cannot be converted.

cheers, I have the errant midfielder in my next line-up

 you also do not need to have players appear in your lineup in order to use CP on them. CP can be used on ANY non-youth player on your roster. Only Youth players have to appear in matches, if they are not having the Youth Coach applied to them.

Great point there, Rob, for those newer to this league.  In other Olmec games you can only Coach players who appear in a match. In this league you can coach even injured or suspended players who aren't eligible to play.  That's especially important with youth players.  Use the Youth Coach on the guy who's injured and can't play that session to keep things on track improving his skill level.