Player Instructions

Player instructions give tactical instructions to individual players and, therefore, assign tactical roles*. They are set by player roles and duties but they can also be edited manually. They can be used to:

• Implement player-based style methods*, which are used to customise playing styles.

• Achieve an appropriate responsibility distribution*, which is an important part of achieving playing system balance.

• Instruct a player to perform a positional responsibility* in a particular way to which he is suited by giving him a suitable tactical instruction.

• Oppose a tactical instruction that has been given by a team instruction for a particular player, for whom the tactical instruction is not suitable.

Detailed for each player instruction, where relevant, are:

• Positions – the playing positions* that the player instruction can be used in.

• Game description – the description of the role that is provided in the game.

• Effects – the tactical instructions given to a player by the player instruction. Each player instruction gives one or two tactical instructions and each tactical instruction can be considered to implement a component role type* (although strictly this depends on the overall use of the related tactical instructions). Therefore, when used in combinations player instructions implement composite role types* (and therefore complete tactical roles).

• Related team instructions – the team instructions that are compounding or contrasting in relation to the player instruction. A compounding team instruction affects a particular playing method* in a similar way to the player instruction. The player instruction can therefore be used to compound a particular tactical instruction given by the team instruction for a particular player, or in some cases it can be used for multiple players as an alternative to the team instruction. A contrasting team instruction affects a particular playing method in an opposing way to the player instruction. The player instruction can therefore be used to oppose a particular tactical instruction given by the team instruction for a particular player.

• Player attributes – suggested player suitability* for the player instruction, which can help you to decide which player instructions are suitable for your players. This includes player attributes for which good ratings can enable the player instruction to be more effective and player attributes for which poor ratings can be covered by the player instruction.

Player Mentality

The player mentality bar cannot be adjusted manually. It is set by team mentality, team shape, playing position* and duty as part of the implementation of core styles*, system fluidity* and mentality systems*.

Game Description

Player Mentality – a player’s mentality affects their attitude on the pitch in relation to balancing their attacking and defensive duties within the overall framework of the team mentality. Players are afforded a more attacking approach with a mentality closer to the maximum, whilst a more defensive outlook is taken when it is set closer to the minimum end of the scale.

Effects

Increasing the Bar

Increasing the player mentality bar for a player:

• Instructs the player to use a high risk mentality* to a greater extent.

The more the bar is increased, the more pronounced this effect is.

Decreasing the Bar

Decreasing the player mentality bar for a player:

• Instructs the player to use a low risk mentality* to a greater extent.

The more the bar is decreased, the more pronounced this effect is.

Related Team Instructions

Increasing the Bar

Compounding team instructions:

• Higher risk team mentality
• More structured team shape
• More fluid team shape
• Exploit The Left/Right Flank
• Exploit The Middle
• Look For Overlap
• Look For Underlap

Contrasting team instructions:

• Lower risk team mentality
• Look For Overlap
• Look For Underlap

Decreasing the Bar

Compounding team instructions

• Lower risk team mentality
• More structured team shape
• More fluid team shape
• Look For Overlap
• Look For Underlap

Contrasting team instructions

• Higher risk team mentality
• More structured team shape
• More fluid team shape
• Exploit The Left/Right Flank
• Exploit The Middle
• Look For Overlap
• Look For Underlap

Player Closing Down

Positions

All outfield playing positions*.

Game Description

Much More Closing Down – takes things a step further from the More Closing Down instruction and effectively instructs players to be relentless in their endeavours to make life hard for the opponent through pressing. Can negatively impact on team shape as a result.

More Closing Down – encourages all players to make the effort to harass any opposing player who has possession in the hope of forcing a mistake and ceding the ball to them.

Sometimes Closing Down – players will pick and choose their opportunities to close down depending on the overall team instructions in an attempt to balance their approach within the structure of the team.

Less Closing Down – asks players to retain their defensive shape and make it hard for the opponent to break them down, rather than risk being caught out of position when closing down.

Much Less Closing Down – takes things a step further from the Close Down Less instruction and will instruct players to almost never engage the opponent in possession, instead remaining as solid as possible within their defensive shape rather than risking being exposed.

Effects

Increasing the Slider

Increasing the player CLOSING DOWN slider for a player, e.g. to More or Much More:

• Assigns the aggressor component role type* to the player.
  • Instructs the player to close down* to a greater extent.

The more the slider is increased, the more pronounced this effect is.

Decreasing the Slider

Decreasing the player CLOSING DOWN slider for a player, e.g. to Less or Much Less:

• Assigns the cautious player component role type* to the player.
  • Instructs the player to sit off* to a greater extent.

The more the slider is decreased, the more pronounced this effect is.

Related Team Instructions

Increasing the Slider

Compounding team instructions:

• Higher risk team mentality
• More fluid team shape
• Increased team DEFENSIVE LINE slider
• Increased team CLOSING DOWN slider

Contrasting team instructions:

• Lower risk team mentality
• More structured team shape
• Decreased team DEFENSIVE LINE slider
• Decreased team CLOSING DOWN slider

Decreasing the Slider

Compounding team instructions:

• Lower risk team mentality
• More structured team shape
• Decreased team DEFENSIVE LINE slider
• Decreased team CLOSING DOWN slider

Contrasting team instructions:

• Higher risk team mentality
• More fluid team shape
• Increased team DEFENSIVE LINE slider
• Increased team CLOSING DOWN slider

Player Attributes

Increasing the Slider

• Decent endeavour (Aggression, Bravery, Work Rate)
• Good mobility (Acceleration, Pace)
• Good closing down ability (Positioning)
• Perhaps poor focus (Composure, Concentration)
• Perhaps poor physical presence (Strength)
• Perhaps poor aerial presence (Jumping Reach)
• Perhaps poor marking ability (Marking)
• Perhaps poor clearing ability (Heading)

Decreasing the Slider

• Perhaps good focus (Composure, Concentration)
• Perhaps good physical presence (Strength)
• Perhaps good aerial presence (Jumping Reach)
• Perhaps good marking ability (Marking)
• Perhaps good clearing ability (Heading)
• Perhaps poor endeavour (Aggression, Bravery, Work Rate)
• Perhaps poor mobility (Acceleration, Pace)
• Perhaps poor closing down ability (Positioning)

Mark Tighter

Positions

All outfield playing positions*.

Game Description

Mark Tighter – asks players to stick particularly tight to their assigned opponent in defensive situations so as to limit the space they have in which to attack the ball.

Effects

Selecting Mark Tighter for a player:

• Assigns the tight-marking player component role type* to the player.
  • Instructs the player to use tight marking* to a greater extent.

Related Team Instructions

Compounding team instructions:

• Use Tighter Marking

Player Attributes

• Good focus (Concentration)
• Good endeavour (Aggression, Bravery, Work Rate)
• Good movement (Anticipation, Decisions)
• Good physical presence (Balance, Strength)
• Good aerial presence (Jumping Reach)
• Good mobility (Acceleration, Agility, Balance, Pace)
• Good defensive positioning (Positioning)
• Good marking ability (Marking)
• Good tackling ability (Tackling)

Mark Specific Player

Positions

All outfield playing positions*.

Game Description

Mark Specific Player – instructs a player, often a defensive-minded midfielder, to closely follow an opponent round the pitch in an effort to mark them out of the game.

Effects

Selecting an opposition player from the Mark Specific Player drop-down for a player:

• Assigns the man-marking player component role type* to the player.
  • Instructs the player to use man marking* to a greater extent against the selected opposition player.

Related Team Instructions

Compounding team instructions:

• Prevent Short GK Distribution

Player Attributes

• Good focus (Concentration)
• Good endeavour (Aggression, Bravery, Work Rate)
• Good movement (Anticipation, Decisions)
• Good physical presence (Balance, Strength)
• Good aerial presence (Jumping Reach)
• Good mobility (Acceleration, Agility, Balance, Pace)
• Good defensive positioning (Positioning)
• Good marking ability (Marking)
• Good tackling ability (Tackling)

Mark Specific Position

Positions

All outfield playing positions*.

Game Description

Mark Specific Position – instructs a player, often a defensive-minded midfielder, to closely follow an opponent in a designated position around the pitch in an effort to mark them out of the game.

Effects

Selecting a playing position from the Mark Specific Position drop-down for a player:

• Assigns the man-marking player component role type* to the player.
  • Instructs the player to use man marking* to a greater extent against the opposition player who is assigned the selected playing position.

Related Team Instructions

Compounding team instructions:

• Prevent Short GK Distribution

Player Attributes

• Good focus (Concentration)
• Good endeavour (Aggression, Bravery, Work Rate)
• Good movement (Anticipation, Decisions)
• Good physical presence (Balance, Strength)
• Good aerial presence (Jumping Reach)
• Good mobility (Acceleration, Agility, Balance, Pace)
• Good defensive positioning (Positioning)
• Good marking ability (Marking)
• Good tackling ability (Tackling)

Tackle Harder

Positions

All playing positions*.

Game Description

Tackle Harder – encourages players to be forceful and combative when challenging for possession.

Effects

Selecting Tackle Harder for a player:

• Assigns the hard-tackling player component role type* to the player.
  • Instructs the player to tackle* to a greater extent.

Related Team Instructions

Compounding team instructions:

• Higher risk team mentality
• Get Stuck In

Contrasting team instructions:

• Lower risk team mentality
• Stay On Feet

Player Attributes

• Good endeavour (Aggression, Bravery, Work Rate)
• Decent awareness (Anticipation)
• Decent decision making (Decisions)
• Good physical presence (Balance, Strength)
• Good tackling ability (Tackling)

Ease Off Tackles

Positions

All playing positions*.

Game Description

Ease Off Tackles – asks players to consider the ramifications of an aggressive mistimed tackle and instead will encourage them to pick their moments in a more timely fashion.

Effects

Selecting Ease Off Tackles for a player:

• Assigns the easy-tackling player component role type* to the player.
  • Instructs the player to hold off* to a greater extent.

Related Team Instructions

Compounding team instructions:

• Lower risk team mentality
• Stay On Feet

Contrasting team instructions:

• Higher risk team mentality
• Get Stuck In

Player Attributes

• Perhaps poor endeavour (Aggression, Bravery, Work Rate)
• Perhaps poor awareness (Anticipation)
• Perhaps poor decision making (Decisions)
• Perhaps poor physical presence (Balance, Strength)
• Perhaps poor tackling ability (Tackling)

Get Further Forward

Positions

All outfield playing positions*.

Game Description

Get Further Forward – encourages players to seek to make an impact on the game in advanced areas by increasing the number and rate of forward runs they make whilst maintaining their place within the overall structure of the team.

Effects

Selecting Get Further Forward for a player:

• Assigns the offensive player component role type* to the player.
  • Instructs the player to make forward runs* to a greater extent.

Related Team Instructions

Compounding team instructions:

• Take More Risks
• Pump Ball Into Box
• Exploit The Left/Right Flank
• Exploit The Middle
• Look For Overlap
• Look For Underlap

Contrasting team instructions:

• Take A Breather
• Play Even Safer
• Exploit The Middle
• Look For Overlap
• Look For Underlap

Player Attributes

• Good movement (Anticipation, Decisions, Teamwork)
• Good mobility (Acceleration, Agility, Balance, Pace)
• Good off the ball movement (Off The Ball)
• Perhaps poor defensive positioning (Positioning)
• Perhaps poor marking ability (Marking)

Sit Narrower

Positions

All wide playing positions*.

Game Description

Sit Narrower – encourages players to use central areas of the pitch more often to retain a solid defensive shape whilst being close at hand to be more involved in possession and attacking play.

Effects

Selecting Sit Narrower for a player:

• Assigns the narrow player component role type* to the player.
  • Instructs the player to use narrow positioning* to a greater extent.

Related Team Instructions

Compounding team instructions:

• Lower risk team mentality
• Decreased team WIDTH slider
• Decreased team PASSING DIRECTNESS slider

Contrasting team instructions:

• Higher risk team mentality
• Increased team WIDTH slider
• Increased team PASSING DIRECTNESS slider

Player Attributes

A player who has poor abilities, to focus more on retaining solidity*:

• Perhaps poor creativity (Anticipation, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork, Vision)
• Perhaps poor movement (Anticipation, Decisions, Teamwork)
• Perhaps poor off the ball movement (Off The Ball)
• Perhaps poor passing ability (Passing, Technique)
• Perhaps poor defensive positioning (Positioning)
• Perhaps poor marking ability (Marking)

A player who has good abilities, to focus more on creating chances* as an auxiliary* central player:

• Good creativity (Anticipation, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork, Vision)
• Good movement (Anticipation, Decisions, Teamwork)
• Good off the ball movement (Off The Ball)
• Good passing ability (Passing, Technique)

Stay Wider

Positions

All wide playing positions*.

Game Description

Stay Wider – encourages players, primarily those in wider areas of the pitch, to stay as close to the touchline as possible in a bid to stretch the game over the full width of the playing surface.

Effects

Selecting Stay Wider for a player:

• Assigns the line-hugging wide player component role type* to the player.
  • Instructs the player to use wide positioning* to a greater extent.

Related Team Instructions

Compounding team instructions:

• Higher risk team mentality
• Increased team WIDTH slider
• Increased team PASSING DIRECTNESS slider

Contrasting team instructions:

• Lower risk team mentality
• Decreased team WIDTH slider
• Decreased team PASSING DIRECTNESS slider

Player Attributes

• Good mobility (Acceleration, Agility, Balance, Pace)
• Good crossing ability (Crossing, Technique)
• Good dribbling ability (Dribbling, Technique)
• Perhaps poor creativity (Anticipation, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork, Vision)

Move Into Channels

Positions

The centre midfielder, attacking midfielder and centre forward playing positions*.

Game Description

Move Into Channels – asks players, particularly attack-minded players, to find vertical spaces between opponents and pull away in such a manner that a teammate can find them with a pass which in turn draws a defender out of position.

Effects

Selecting Move Into Channels for a player:

• Assigns the channel-running player component role type* to the player.
  • Instructs the player to make runs into channels* to a greater extent.

Related Team Instructions

Compounding team instructions:

• Look For Underlap

Player Attributes

• Good movement (Anticipation, Decisions, Teamwork)
• Good mobility (Acceleration, Agility, Balance, Pace)
• Good off the ball movement (Off The Ball)
• Perhaps poor defensive positioning (Positioning)
• Perhaps poor marking ability (Marking)

Hold Position

Positions

All outfield playing positions*.

Game Description

Hold Position – requires players to remain largely in their assigned position and rarely deviate from it. Whilst others may roam or swap positions with others, players asked to hold will remain in place.

Effects

Selecting Hold Position for a player:

• Assigns the holding player composite role type* to the player.

• Assigns the sitting player component role type* to the player.
  • Instructs the player to sit back* to a greater extent.

• Assigns the disciplined-running player component role type* to the player.
  • Instructs the player to make disciplined movement* to a greater extent.

Related Team Instructions

Compounding team instructions:

• Lower risk team mentality (disciplined movement)
• Take A Breather (sitting back)
• Play Even Safer (sitting back)
• Exploit The Middle (sitting back)
• Look For Overlap (sitting back)
• Look For Underlap (sitting back)
• Stick To Positions (disciplined movement)

Contrasting team instructions:

• Higher risk team mentality (disciplined movement)
• Take More Risks (sitting back)
• Pump Ball Into Box (sitting back)
• Exploit The Left/Right Flank (sitting back)
• Exploit The Middle (sitting back)
• Look For Overlap (sitting back)
• Look For Underlap (sitting back)
• Roam From Positions (disciplined movement)

Player Attributes

• Good movement (Anticipation, Decisions, Teamwork)
• Good defensive positioning (Positioning)
• Good marking ability (Marking)
• Perhaps poor mobility (Acceleration, Agility, Balance, Pace)
• Perhaps poor off the ball movement (Off The Ball)

Roam From Position

Positions

All outfield playing positions*.

Game Description

Roam From Position – gives players the freedom to leave their designated position within a team’s basic formation and instead find pockets of space in which they can be more effective.

Effects

Selecting Roam From Position for a player:

• Assigns the roaming player component role type* to the player.
  • Instructs the player to make roaming movement* to a greater extent.

Related Team Instructions

Compounding team instructions:

• Higher risk team mentality
• Roam From Positions

Contrasting team instructions:

• Lower risk team mentality
• Stick To Positions

Player Attributes

• Good creativity (Anticipation, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork, Vision)
• Good movement (Anticipation, Decisions, Teamwork)
• Good off the ball movement (Off The Ball)
• Perhaps poor defensive positioning (Positioning)
• Perhaps poor marking ability (Marking)

Cut Inside With Ball

Positions

All wide playing positions*.

Game Description

Cut Inside With Ball – asks wide players to look to come into central areas when running with the ball, driving inside their opponent and heading towards the goal.

Effects

Selecting Cut Inside With Ball for a player:

• Assigns the inverted wide player component role type* to the player.
  • Instructs the player to make lateral dribbles* to a greater extent.

Player Attributes

• Good creativity (Anticipation, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork, Vision)
• Decent mobility (Agility, Balance)
• Good dribbling ability (Dribbling, Technique)
• Perhaps poor mobility (Acceleration, Pace)
• Perhaps poor crossing ability (Crossing, Technique)

Run Wide With Ball

Positions

The off-centre centre midfielder, off-centre attacking midfielder and off-centre centre forward playing positions*, and all wide playing positions.

Game Description

Run Wide With Ball – encourages players to move into wider areas of the pitch when in possession in a bid to stretch the opposition and disrupt their shape.

Effects

Selecting Run Wide With Ball for a player who is assigned a central playing position:

• Assigns the wide-dribbling central player component role type* to the player.
  • Instructs the player to make lateral dribbles* to a greater extent.

Selecting Run Wide With Ball for a player who is assigned a wide playing position:

• Assigns the disciplined-dribbling player component role type* to the player.
  • Instructs the player to make disciplined dribbles* to a greater extent (by moving into and staying in wide areas when making direct dribbles*).

Selecting Run Wide With Ball along with Dribble More for a player who is assigned a wide playing position also assigns the flank-dribbling player composite role type* to the player.

Player Attributes

• Good mobility (Acceleration, Agility, Balance, Pace)
• Good crossing ability (Crossing, Technique)
• Good dribbling ability (Dribbling, Technique)
• Perhaps poor creativity (Anticipation, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork, Vision)

Hold Up Ball

Positions

The wing forward, attacking midfielder and centre forward playing positions*.

Game Description

Hold Up Ball – asks an attack-minded player to take a moment or two longer with the ball than they perhaps would ordinarily, slowing the pace of the game in order to gain a greater perspective over proceeding s and allowing teammates to get further forward in support.

Effects

Selecting Hold Up Ball for a player:

• Assigns the hold-up player component role type* to the player.
  • Instructs the player to use hold up play* to a greater extent.

Related Team Instructions

Compounding team instructions:

• Look For Overlap
• Look For Underlap

Player Attributes

• Decent awareness (Anticipation, Teamwork)
• Decent decision making (Decisions, Teamwork)
• Good physical presence (Balance, Strength)
• Good hold-up play
• Perhaps poor creativity (Flair, Vision)
• Perhaps poor mobility (Acceleration, Agility, Pace)
• Perhaps poor dribbling ability (Dribbling, Technique)

Dribble More

Positions

All outfield playing positions*.

Game Description

Dribble More – encourages players to be more individualistic and seek to make gains by dribbling their way past opponents, rather than passing their way towards goal.

Effects

Selecting Dribble More for a player:

• Assigns the dribbling player component role type* to the player.
  • Instructs the player to make direct dribbles* to a greater extent.

Related Team Instructions

Compounding team instructions:

• Take More Risks
• Run At Defence

Contrasting team instructions:

• Play Even Safer
• Hit Early Crosses
• Look For Overlap
• Look For Underlap
• Dribble Less

Player Attributes

• Decent creativity (Anticipation, Decisions, Flair)
• Good mobility (Acceleration, Agility, Balance, Pace)
• Good dribbling ability (Dribbling, Technique)
• Perhaps poor awareness (Teamwork, Vision)
• Perhaps poor passing ability (Passing)

Dribble Less

Positions

All outfield playing positions*.

Game Description

Dribble Less – asks players to primarily pass the ball around and not attempt to beat opponents individually by way of taking them on.

Effects

Selecting Dribble Less for a player:

• Assigns the restricted-dribbling player component role type* to the player.
  • Instructs the player to refrain from dribbles* to a greater extent.

Related Team Instructions

Compounding team instructions:

• Play Even Safer
• Hit Early Crosses
• Look For Overlap
• Look For Underlap
• Dribble Less

Contrasting team instructions:

• Take More Risks
• Run At Defence

Player Attributes

• Perhaps poor creativity (Anticipation, Decisions, Flair)
• Perhaps poor mobility (Acceleration, Agility, Balance, Pace)
• Perhaps poor dribbling ability (Dribbling, Technique)

Shoot More Often

Positions

All outfield playing positions*.

Game Description

Shoot More Often – encourages players to attempt a greater number of shots when posed with a potential chance, rather than looking for a pass.

Effects

Selecting Shoot More Often for a player:

• Assigns the shot-taking player component role type* to the player.
  • Instructs the player to take speculative shots* to a greater extent.

Related Team Instructions

Compounding team instructions:

• Shoot On Sight

Contrasting team instructions:

• Work Ball Into Box

Player Attributes

• Perhaps poor creativity (Anticipation, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork, Vision)
• Good shooting ability (Finishing, Long Shots, Technique)

Shoot Less Often

Positions

All outfield playing positions*.

Game Description

Shoot Less Often – asks players to retain possession and remain patient in search of a more opportune moment at which to finally shoot.

Effects

Selecting Shoot Less Often for a player:

• Assigns the restricted-shooting player component role type* to the player.
  • Instructs the player to refrain from shots* to a greater extent.

Related Team Instructions

Compounding team instructions:

• Work Ball Into Box

Contrasting team instructions:

• Shoot On Sight

Player Attributes

• Perhaps good creativity (Anticipation, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork, Vision)
• Perhaps poor shooting ability (Finishing, Long Shots, Technique)

Player Passing Directness

Positions

All playing positions*.

Game Description

More Direct Passing – encourages players to take more risks when passing in a bid to find the ball which could unlock an opposition defence.

Mixed Passing Directness – players will pick and choose when to utilise a more direct approach depending on the overall team instructions in an attempt to balance their game within the structure of the team.

Shorter Passing – asks players to adopt a shorter passing game and primarily retain the ball with a patient approach.

Effects

Increasing the Slider

Increasing the player PASSING DIRECTNESS slider for a player, e.g. to More Direct Passing:

• Assigns the passer component role type* to the player.
  • Instructs the player to use long passes* to a greater extent.

The more the slider is increased, the more pronounced this effect is.

Decreasing the Slider

Decreasing the player PASSING DIRECTNESS slider for a player, e.g. to Shorter Passing:

• Assigns the restricted-passing player component role type* to the player.
  • Instructs the player to use short passes* to a greater extent.

The more the slider is decreased, the more pronounced this effect is.

Related Team Instructions

Increasing the Slider

Compounding team instructions:

• Higher risk team mentality
• Lower risk team mentality
• Increased team PASSING DIRECTNESS slider
• Clear Ball To Flanks
• Pump Ball Into Box

Contrasting team instructions:

• Higher risk team mentality
• Lower risk team mentality
• Decreased team PASSING DIRECTNESS slider
• Play Out Of Defence
• Retain Possession

Decreasing the Slider

Compounding team instructions:

• Higher risk team mentality
• Lower risk team mentality
• Decreased team PASSING DIRECTNESS slider
• Play Out Of Defence
• Retain Possession

Contrasting team instructions:

• Higher risk team mentality
• Lower risk team mentality
• Increased team PASSING DIRECTNESS slider
• Clear Ball To Flanks
• Pump Ball Into Box

Player Attributes

Increasing the Slider

A player who has good abilities, to focus more on penetrating space*:

• Good creativity (Anticipation, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork, Vision)
• Good passing ability (Passing, Technique)

A player assigned a central defender playing position* who has poor abilities, to focus more on playing safe* when moving the ball away from central defence (combined with Fewer Risky Passes):

• Perhaps poor focus (Composure, Concentration)
• Perhaps poor creativity (Anticipation, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork, Vision)
• Perhaps poor passing ability (Passing, Technique)

Decreasing the Slider

• Perhaps poor creativity (Anticipation, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork, Vision)
• Perhaps poor passing ability (Passing, Technique)

More Risky Passes

Positions

All playing positions*.

Game Description

More Risky Passes – encourages players to play low-percentage passes in the hope that one or two of them will unlock the opposition defence in a potentially decisive manner.

Effects

Selecting More Risky Passes for a player:

• Assigns the ball-playing player component role type* to the player.
  • Instructs the player to make risky passes* to a greater extent.

Related Team Instructions

Compounding team instructions:

• Take More Risks
• Pump Ball Into Box
• Exploit The Middle
• Pass Into Space

Contrasting team instructions:

• Play Even Safer
• Clear Ball To Flanks
• Retain Possession

Player Attributes

• Good creativity (Anticipation, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork, Vision)
• Good passing ability (Passing, Technique)

Fewer Risky Passes

Positions

All playing positions*.

Game Description

Fewer Risky Passes – asks players to retain possession first and foremost, playing a sensible and patient passing game without unnecessarily turning possession over to the opponents.

Effects

Selecting Fewer Risky Passes for a player:

• Assigns the safe-passing player component role type* to the player.
  • Instructs the player to make safe passes* to a greater extent.

• Assigns the restricted-passing player component role type* to the player.
  • Instructs the player to make short passes* to a greater extent.
    • Restricts the player PASSING DIRECTNESS slider to Mixed or Shorter Passing for the player. Compresses the player PASSING DIRECTNESS slider for the player.

Related Team Instructions

Compounding team instructions:

• Higher risk team mentality (short passes)
• Lower risk team mentality (short passes)
• Play Even Safer (safe passes)
• Clear Ball To Flanks (safe passes)
• Play Out Of Defence (short passes)
• Decreased team PASSING DIRECTNESS slider (short passes)
• Retain Possession (short passes, safe passes)

Contrasting team instructions:

• Higher risk team mentality (short passes)
• Lower risk team mentality (short passes)
• Take More Risks (safe passes)
• Clear Ball To Flanks (short passes, safe passes)
• Pump Ball Into Box (short passes)
• Exploit The Middle (safe passes)
• Pass Into Space (safe passes)
• Increased team PASSING DIRECTNESS slider (short passes)

Player Attributes

• Perhaps poor creativity (Anticipation, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork, Vision)
• Perhaps poor passing ability (Passing, Technique)

Cross From Deep

Positions

All wide playing positions*.

Game Description

Cross From Deep – asks players, most typically full backs although not exclusively, to set up crossing opportunities from deeper areas on the pitch rather than wait until the ball is in the attacking third.

Effects

Selecting Cross From Deep for a player:

• Assigns the deep-crossing player component role type* to the player.
  • Instructs the player to make crosses from deep* to a greater extent.

Related Team Instructions

Compounding team instructions:

• Hit Early Crosses

Player Attributes

• Good crossing ability (Crossing, Technique)
• Perhaps poor creativity (Anticipation, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork, Vision)
• Perhaps poor mobility (Acceleration, Agility, Balance, Pace)
• Perhaps poor dribbling ability (Dribbling, Technique)

Cross From Byline

Positions

All wide playing positions*.

Game Description

Cross From Byline – asks players to get the ball as high up the pitch as possible in wider areas before attempting to cross into the goalmouth and penalty area.

Effects

Selecting Cross From Byline for a player:

• Assigns the byline-crossing player component role type* to the player.
  • Instructs the player to make crosses from the byline* to a greater extent.

Related Team Instructions

Contrasting team instructions:

• Hit Early Crosses

Player Attributes

• Good mobility (Acceleration, Agility, Balance, Pace)
• Good dribbling ability (Dribbling, Technique)
• Perhaps poor creativity (Anticipation, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork, Vision)
• Perhaps poor crossing ability (Crossing, Technique)

Cross More Often

Positions

All wide playing positions*.

Game Description

Cross More Often – encourages regular delivery into the penalty area from wide positions.

Effects

Selecting Cross More Often for a player:

• Assigns the crosser component role type* to the player.
  • Instructs the player to make crosses* to a greater extent.

Related Team Instructions

Compounding team instructions:

• Pump Ball Into Box
• Exploit The Left/Right Flank
• Hit Early Crosses

Contrasting team instructions:

• Work Ball Into Box

Player Attributes

• Good crossing ability (Crossing, Technique)
• Perhaps poor creativity (Anticipation, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork, Vision)

Cross Less Often

Positions

All wide playing positions*.

Game Description

Cross Less Often – discourages regular delivery into the penalty area from wide positions.

Effects

Selecting Cross Less Often for a player:

• Assigns the restricted-crossing player component role type* to the player.
  • Instructs the player to refrain from crosses* to a greater extent.

Related Team Instructions

Compounding team instructions:

• Work Ball Into Box

Contrasting team instructions:

• Pump Ball Into Box
• Exploit The Left/Right Flank
• Hit Early Crosses

Player Attributes

• Perhaps good creativity (Anticipation, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork, Vision)
• Perhaps poor crossing ability (Crossing, Technique)

Aim Crosses At

A wide player can be instructed to aim crosses at Far Post, Centre, Near Post or Target Man.

Positions

All wide playing positions*.

Game Description

Aim Crosses At Far Post – asks players to deliver their crosses towards the far post.

Aim Crosses At Centre – asks players to deliver their crosses into the centre of the penalty area.

Aim Crosses At Near Post – asks players to deliver their crosses into the near post area.

Aim Crosses At Target Man – asks players to deliver their crosses in the general direction of a designated target man.

Effects

Selecting an area for a player:

• Instructs the player to aim crosses to the area to a greater extent when making crosses*.

Selecting Target Man:

• Instructs the player to aim crosses to a target-man* to a greater extent when making crosses.

Player Attributes

The player(s) nearest to where crosses are aimed:

• As listed for central attackers in the Float Crosses, Whipped Crosses and Low Crosses team instructions (depending on which of the team instructions is used, if any)

Roll It Out

Positions

The goalkeeper playing position*.

Game Description

Roll It Out – asks the goalkeeper to roll the ball out to a nearby player when distributing from his possession.

Effects

Selecting Roll It Out:

• Instructs the goalkeeper to roll the ball over a short distance towards a teammate to a greater extent when when distributing the ball during open play.

Player Attributes

Goalkeeper:

• Perhaps poor Kicking
• Perhaps poor Throwing

Player(s) receiving the ball:

• Good focus (Composure, Concentration)
• Decent creativity (Anticipation, Decisions, Teamwork)
• Decent passing ability (Passing)

Throw It Long

Positions

The goalkeeper playing position*.

Game Description

Throw It Long – instructs goalkeepers to throw the ball over longer distances when distributing it from their possession.

Effects

Selecting Throw It Long:

• Instructs the goalkeeper to throw the ball over a long distance towards a teammate to a greater extent when distributing the ball during open play.

Player Attributes

Goalkeeper:

• Good Throwing
• Perhaps poor Kicking

Take Short Kicks

Positions

The goalkeeper playing position*.

Game Description

Take Short Kicks – asks the goalkeeper to drop the ball at his feet and pass short when distributing the ball.

Effects

Selecting Take Short Kicks:

• Instructs the goalkeeper to kick the ball over a short distance towards a teammate to a greater extent when distributing the ball.

Player Attributes

Goalkeeper:

• Decent Kicking
• Decent passing ability (Passing)
• Perhaps poor Throwing

Player(s) receiving the ball:

• Good focus (Composure, Concentration)
• Decent creativity (Anticipation, Decisions, Teamwork)
• Decent passing ability (Passing)

Take Long Kicks

Positions

The goalkeeper playing position*.

Game Description

Take Long Kicks – asks goalkeepers to kick the ball long as their primary means of distribution.

Effects

Selecting Take Long Kicks:

• Instructs the goalkeeper to kick the ball over a long distance towards a teammate to a greater extent when distributing the ball.

Player Attributes

Goalkeeper:

• Good Kicking
• Perhaps poor Throwing

Player(s) receiving the ball:

• Good physical presence (Strength)
• Good aerial presence (Jumping Reach)
• Good control (First Touch, Technique)
• Good heading ability (Heading, Technique)

Distribute Quickly

Positions

The goalkeeper playing position*.

Game Description

Distribute Quickly – asks the goalkeeper to operate at a quicker tempo when in possession, perhaps to increase urgency or instigate counter attacks.

Effects

Selecting Distribute Quickly:

• Instructs the goalkeeper to use high tempo play* to a greater extent when distributing the ball.

Related Team Instructions

Compounding team instructions:

• Increased team TEMPO slider

Contrasting team instructions:

• Decreased team TEMPO slider

Player Attributes

Goalkeeper:

• Decent awareness (Anticipation)
• Decent decision making (Decisions)

Slow Pace Down

Positions

The goalkeeper playing position*.

Game Description

Slow Pace Down – asks the goalkeeper to operate at a slower tempo when in possession, perhaps in a bid to control the game or to waste time.

Effects

Selecting Slow Pace Down:

• Instructs the goalkeeper to use low tempo play* to a greater extent when distributing the ball.

Related Team Instructions

Compounding team instructions:

• Decreased team TEMPO slider

Contrasting team instructions:

• Increased team TEMPO slider

Player Attributes

Goalkeeper:

• Perhaps poor awareness (Anticipation)
• Perhaps poor decision making (Decisions)

Distribute to Area

The goalkeeper can be instructed to distribute To Centre Backs, To Full Backs, To Flanks or Over Opposition Defence.

Positions

The goalkeeper playing position*.

Game Description

Distribute To Centre Backs – asks the goalkeeper to primarily seek out his centre backs when distributing the ball from his possession.

Distribute To Full Backs – asks the goalkeeper to primarily seek out his full backs when distributing the ball from his possession.

Distribute To Flanks – asks the goalkeeper to primarily seek out wide areas when distributing the ball from his possession.

Distribute Over Opposition Defence – asks the goalkeeper to look to deliver the ball over the top of the opposition’s defence when distributing the ball from his possession.

Effects

Selecting a positional area*:

• Instructs the goalkeeper to aim for players in the positional area to a greater extent when distributing the ball.

Player Attributes

The player(s) nearest to where goalkeeper distribution is aimed:

• As listed for player(s) receiving the ball in the Roll It Out, Throw It Long, Take Short Kicks and Take Long Kicks player instructions (depending on which of the player instructions is used, if any)

Distribute to Position

The goalkeeper can be instructed to distribute to any outfield playing position*.

Positions

The goalkeeper playing position*.

Effects

Selecting a playing position from the Distribute to Position drop-down:

• Instructs the goalkeeper to aim for a player in the playing position to a greater extent when distributing the ball.

Player Attributes

The player assigned the playing position to which goalkeeper distribution is aimed:

• As listed for player(s) receiving the ball in the Roll It Out, Throw It Long, Take Short Kicks and Take Long Kicks player instructions (depending on which of the player instructions is used, if any)

Distribute to Playmaker

Positions

The goalkeeper playing position*.

Game Description

Distribute To Playmaker – asks the goalkeeper to primarily seek out the team’s designated playmaker when distributing the ball from his possession. The playmaker will look to come short to receive the ball if he is close enough.

Effects

Selecting Distribute to Playmaker:

• Instructs the goalkeeper to aim for a countering-playmaker*, controlling-playmaker* or advanced-playmaker* to a greater extent when distributing the ball.

Player roles and duties that assign the countering-playmaker, controlling-playmaker and advanced-playmaker role category implementations* are detailed in the Player Roles & Duties guides.

Player Attributes

The player(s) to which goalkeeper distribution is aimed:

• Good creativity (Anticipation, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork, Vision)
• Good control (First Touch, Technique)

Distribute to Target Man

Positions

The goalkeeper playing position*.

Game Description

Distribute To Target Man – asks the goalkeeper to primarily seek out the team’s designated target man when distributing the ball from his possession.

Effects

Selecting Distribute to Target Man:

• Instructs the goalkeeper to aim for a target-man* or flank-target-man* to a greater extent when distributing the ball.

Player roles and duties that assign the target-man and flank-target-man role category implementations* are detailed in the Player Roles & Duties guides.

Player Attributes

The player(s) to which goalkeeper distribution is aimed:

• Good physical presence (Strength)
• Good aerial presence (Jumping Reach)
• Good control (First Touch, Technique)
• Good heading ability (Heading, Technique)

Swap Positions With

The Swap Positions With drop-down can be accessed from the Player tab of the Tactics screen. A player in a midfielder or attacker playing position* can be instructed to swap position with any other such player.

Swap Positions With is not related to roaming movement* or any other off the ball movement attacking method*. Instead, it is the equivalent of manually swapping the playing positions (and tactical roles*) of two players at various points during a match.

Swapping playing positions can provide more variety to how a tactical role is carried out as each player will have different abilities and possibly different preferred moves, and so will have different ways of undertaking the tactical role. It can also help to to conserve player fitness in a physically demanding role.

Positions

All outfield playing positions except the centre back and full back playing positions.

Effects

Selecting a playing position from the Swap Positions With drop-down for a player:

• Instructs the player to swap playing positions, roles and duties with the player assigned the selected playing position at various points during a match.

Player Attributes

Both players:

• Abilities that are suitable for both tactical roles.