Playing Styles

As detailed in the tactical theory Playing Styles* guide, a team’s playing style is a subjective concept that relates to the team’s overall use of playing methods*.

Creating and Customising a Playing Style

Playing styles can be created by using team instructions to implement one or more component styles*. Combining two or more component styles forms a composite style*.

Playing styles can be customised by using tactical instructions to add style methods*. You can use team instructions to implement team-based style methods* and you can assign tactical roles* (assigned by using player instructions, and player roles and duties) to implement player-based style methods*.

The use of either team-based style methods or player-based style methods depends on your chosen system fluidity*, as explained in the System Fluidity guide.

Appropriate tactical instructions for different playing styles are suggested below.

Example playing style implementations are provided in the Example Tactics article.

Summary of Playing Styles

Component styles include the following three opposing pairs (high tactical risk* / low tactical risk):

• Core styles* – attacking football / defensive football (a.k.a. counter attacking football)

• Attacking styles* – direct plays / short plays

• Defensive styles* – aggressive pressing / containment

From each pair, either one component style or neither can be implemented according to your preferences and player suitability.

Composite styles* include:

• Direct attacking football = attacking football + direct plays

• Pass and move football = attacking football + short plays

• Long ball football = defensive football + direct plays

• Possession football = defensive football + short plays

• High pressure football = attacking football + aggressive pressing

• Cautious attacking football = attacking football + containment

• Aggressive defensive football = defensive football + aggressive pressing

• Parking-the-bus football = defensive football + containment

• Urgent football = direct attacking football + high pressure football (typically only used as a match strategy due to its extremely high overall tactical risk level)

• Cautious direct attacking football = direct attacking football + cautious attacking football

• High pressure pass and move football = pass and move football + high pressure football

• Cautious pass and move football = pass and move football + cautious attacking football

• Aggressive long ball football = long ball football + aggressive defensive football

• Parking-the-bus long ball football = long ball football + parking-the-bus football

• Aggressive possession football = possession football + aggressive defensive football

• Anti-football = possession football + parking-the-bus football (typically only used as a match strategy due to its extremely low overall tactical risk level)

Choosing a Playing Style

You should choose a playing style according to your personal preferences and player suitability*.

Suggested player attributes are provided in the Tactical Instructions guides. By using this information alongside the suggested tactical instructions provided for different playing styles below, you can work out how suitable your players are for any particular playing style.

Tactical Instructions

Appropriate tactical instructions for different playing styles are suggested below.

Detailed for each playing style, where relevant, are:

• Requirements – the team instructions that can be used to implement the playing style. These team instructions implement the primary style methods* that are detailed in the tactical theory Playing Styles* guides, as per the analysis in the Team Instructions guides.

• Optional customisation – suggested team instructions and tactical roles* that can be used, if desired, to customise the playing style. These team instructions and tactical roles implement the secondary style methods* that are detailed in the tactical theory Playing Styles* guides. The team instructions are as per the analysis in the Team Instructions guides, while details of how to assign the tactical roles are provided in the Playing Styles – Tactical Roles guide. Tactical roles for use with a more structured system fluidity are shown on the left and team instructions for use with a more fluid system fluidity are shown on the right. Where there is no suitable team instruction the suggested tactical roles can be used instead.

• Forward movement partnerships – the recommended forward movement partnerships* to use with the playing style, as per the tactical theory Playing Styles* guides. Further details, including suitable tactical roles, are provided in the Attacking Structures guide.

• Number-ten – the recommended number-ten central attacker* to use with the playing style, as per the tactical theory Playing Styles* guides. Further details, including suitable tactical roles, are provided in the Central Attack Responsibilities guide.

Attacking Football

Requirements

• High risk mentality = Control or Attacking team mentality

Optional Customisation

For details of tactical roles see Playing Styles – Tactical Roles.

More structured team shape + / Flexible team shape + / more fluid team shape + …

• … Roaming movement; runs into channels; drifting movement = …
  • … Roaming players; channel-running players; drifting players / <= or => / Roam From Positions

• … Direct dribbles = …
  • … Dribbling players / <= or => / Run At Defence

• … Lateral dribbles = …
  • … Wide-dribbling central players; inverted wide players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction

• … Risky passes = …
  • … Ball-playing players / <= or => / Pass Into Space

• … Crosses = …
  • … Crossers / <= or => / Exploit The Left/Right Flank**

• … Crosses from deep = …
  • … Deep-crossing players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction

• … Speculative shots = …
  • … Shot-taking players / <= or => / Shoot On Sight

• … Creative freedom = …
  • … Creative players / <= or => / Be More Expressive

• … Stepping up = Use Offside Trap

• … Tight marking = …
  • … Tight-marking players / <= or => / Use Tighter Marking

• … Tackling = …
  • …Hard-tackling players / <= or => / Get Stuck In

** = applies more than one style method*. Exploit The Left/Right Flank also implements focusing play to players in wider areas.

Forward Movement Partnerships

Recommended forward movement partnerships:

• Overlapping partnerships – follow link for details of tactical roles.

Number-Ten

Recommended number-ten central attacker:

• Technical number-ten – follow link for details of tactical roles.

Defensive Football (Counter Attacking Football)

Requirements

• Low risk mentality = Counter or Defensive team mentality (use Counter to encourage counter attacking*)

Optional Customisation

For details of tactical roles see Playing Styles – Tactical Roles.

More structured team shape + / Flexible team shape + / more fluid team shape + …

• … Disciplined movement = …
  • … Disciplined-running players / <= or => / Stick To Positions

• … Refraining from dribbles = …
  • … Restricted-dribbling players / <= or => / Dribble Less

• … Disciplined dribbles = …
  • … Disciplined-dribbling players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction

• … Safe passes = …
  • … Safe-passing players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction

• … Refraining from crosses = …
  • … Restricted-crossing players / <= or => / Work Ball Into Box**

• … Crosses from byline = …
  • … Byline-crossing players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction

• … Refraining from shots = …
  • … Restricted-shooting players / <= or => / Work Ball Into Box**

• … Tactical discipline = …
  • … Disciplined players / <= or => / Be More Disciplined

• … Stepping back = no suitable team instruction

• … Loose marking = …
  • … Loose-marking players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction

• … Holding off = …
  • …Easy-tackling players / <= or => / Stay On Feet

** = applies more than one style method*.

Forward Movement Partnerships

Recommended forward movement partnerships:

• Direct partnerships – follow link for details of tactical roles.

Number-Ten

Recommended number-ten central attacker:

• Target-man – follow link for details of tactical roles.

Direct Plays

Requirements

• Long passes = More Direct Passing or Go Route One

Optional Customisation

For details of tactical roles see Playing Styles – Tactical Roles.

More structured team shape + / Flexible team shape + / more fluid team shape + …

• … Disciplined movement = …
  • … Disciplined-running players / <= or => / Stick To Positions

• … Direct dribbles = …
  • … Dribbling players / <= or => / Run At Defence

• … Disciplined dribbles = …
  • … Disciplined-dribbling players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction

• … Safe passes = …
  • … Safe-passing players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction

• … Crosses = …
  • … Crossers / <= or => / Exploit The Left/Right Flank**

• … Crosses from deep = …
  • … Deep-crossing players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction

• … Speculative shots = …
  • … Shot-taking players / <= or => / Shoot On Sight

• … Tactical discipline = …
  • … Disciplined players / <= or => / Be More Disciplined

** = applies more than one style method*. Exploit The Left/Right Flank also implements focusing play to players in wider areas.

Forward Movement Partnerships

Recommended forward movement partnerships:

• Direct partnerships – follow link for details of tactical roles.

Number-Ten

Recommended number-ten central attacker:

• Target-man – follow link for details of tactical roles.

Short Plays

Requirements

• Short passes = Shorter Passing

Optional Customisation

For details of tactical roles see Playing Styles – Tactical Roles.

More structured team shape + / Flexible team shape + / more fluid team shape + …

• … Roaming movement; runs into channels; drifting movement = …
  • … Roaming players; channel-running players; drifting players / <= or => / Roam From Positions

• … Refraining from dribbles = …
  • … Restricted-dribbling players / <= or => / Dribble Less

• … Lateral dribbles = …
  • … Wide-dribbling central players; inverted wide players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction

• … Risky passes = …
  • … Ball-playing players / <= or => / Pass Into Space

• … Refraining from crosses = …
  • … Restricted-crossing players / <= or => / Work Ball Into Box**

• … Crosses from byline = …
  • … Byline-crossing players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction

• … Refraining from shots = …
  • … Restricted-shooting players / <= or => / Work Ball Into Box**

• … Creative freedom = …
  • … Creative players / <= or => / Be More Expressive

** = applies more than one style method*.

Forward Movement Partnerships

Recommended forward movement partnerships:

• Overlapping partnerships – follow link for details of tactical roles.

Number-Ten

Recommended number-ten central attacker:

• Technical number-ten – follow link for details of tactical roles.

Aggressive Pressing

Requirements

• Closing down = More Closing Down or Much More Closing Down

Optional Customisation

For details of tactical roles see Playing Styles – Tactical Roles.

More structured team shape + / Flexible team shape + / more fluid team shape + …

• … Stepping up = Use Offside Trap

• … Tight marking = …
  • … Tight-marking players / <= or => / Use Tighter Marking

• … Tackling = …
  • …Hard-tackling players / <= or => / Get Stuck In

Containment

Requirements

• Sitting off = Less Closing Down or Much Less Closing Down

Optional Customisation

For details of tactical roles see Playing Styles – Tactical Roles.

More structured team shape + / Flexible team shape + / more fluid team shape + …

• … Stepping back = no suitable team instruction

• … Loose marking = …
  • … Loose-marking players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction

• … Holding off = …
  • …Easy-tackling players / <= or => / Stay On Feet

Direct Attacking Football

Requirements

• High risk mentality = Control or Attacking team mentality

• Long passes = More Direct Passing or Go Route One

Optional Customisation

For details of tactical roles see Playing Styles – Tactical Roles.

More structured team shape + / Flexible team shape + / more fluid team shape + …

• … Direct dribbles = …
  • … Dribbling players / <= or => / Run At Defence

• … Crosses = …
  • … Crossers / <= or => / Exploit The Left/Right Flank**

• … Crosses from deep = …
  • … Deep-crossing players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction

• … Speculative shots = …
  • … Shot-taking players / <= or => / Shoot On Sight

• … Stepping up = Use Offside Trap

• … Tight marking = …
  • … Tight-marking players / <= or => / Use Tighter Marking

• … Tackling = …
  • …Hard-tackling players / <= or => / Get Stuck In

To further increase attacking risk* by focusing more on penetrating space*:

More structured team shape + / Flexible team shape + / more fluid team shape + …

• … Roaming movement; runs into channels; drifting movement = …
  • … Roaming players; channel-running players; drifting players / <= or => / Roam From Positions
• … Lateral dribbles = …
  • … Wide-dribbling central players; inverted players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction
• … Risky passes = …
  • … Ball-playing players / <= or => / Pass Into Space
• … Creative freedom = …
  • … Creative players / <= or => / Be More Expressive

To balance attacking risk to some extent by focusing more on keeping possession*, retaining solidity* and retaining compactness*:

More structured team shape + / Flexible team shape + / more fluid team shape + …

• … Disciplined movement = …
  • … Disciplined-running players / <= or => / Stick To Positions
• … Disciplined dribbles = …
  • … Disciplined-dribbling players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction
• … Safe passes = …
  • … Safe-passing players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction
• … Tactical discipline = …
  • … Disciplined players / <= or => / Be More Disciplined

** = applies more than one style method*. Exploit The Left/Right Flank also implements focusing play to players in wider areas.

Forward Movement Partnerships

Recommended forward movement partnerships:

• A mixture of direct partnerships and overlapping partnerships – follow link for details of tactical roles.

Number-Ten

Recommended number-ten central attacker:

• Technical number-ten or target-man – follow link for details of tactical roles.

Pass and Move Football

Requirements

• High risk mentality = Control or Attacking team mentality

• Short passes = Shorter Passing

Optional Customisation

For details of tactical roles see Playing Styles – Tactical Roles.

More structured team shape + / Flexible team shape + / more fluid team shape + …

• … Roaming movement; runs into channels; drifting movement = …
  • … Roaming players; channel-running players; drifting players / <= or => / Roam From Positions

• … Lateral dribbles = …
  • … Wide-dribbling central players; inverted wide players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction

• … Risky passes = …
  • … Ball-playing players / <= or => / Pass Into Space

• … Creative freedom = …
  • … Creative players / <= or => / Be More Expressive

• … Stepping up = Use Offside Trap

• … Tight marking = …
  • … Tight-marking players / <= or => / Use Tighter Marking

• … Tackling = …
  • …Hard-tackling players / <= or => / Get Stuck In

To increase attacking risk* by focusing more on penetrating space*:

More structured team shape + / Flexible team shape + / more fluid team shape + …

• … Direct dribbles = …
  • … Dribbling players / <= or => / Run At Defence
• … Crosses = …
  • … Crossers / <= or => / Exploit The Left/Right Flank**
• … Crosses from deep = …
  • … Deep-crossing players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction
• … Speculative shots = …
  • … Shot-taking players / <= or => / Shoot On Sight

To decrease attacking risk by focusing more on keeping possession*, retaining solidity* and retaining compactness*:

More structured team shape + / Flexible team shape + / more fluid team shape + …

• … Refraining from dribbles = …
  • … Restricted-dribbling players / <= or => / Dribble Less
• … Refraining from crosses = …
  • … Restricted-crossing players / <= or => / Work Ball Into Box**
• … Crosses from byline = …
  • … Byline-crossing players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction
• … Refraining from shots = …
  • … Restricted-shooting players / <= or => / Work Ball Into Box**

** = applies more than one style method*. Exploit The Left/Right Flank also implements focusing play to players in wider areas.

Forward Movement Partnerships

Recommended forward movement partnerships:

• Overlapping partnerships – follow link for details of tactical roles.

Number-Ten

Recommended number-ten central attacker:

• Technical number-ten – follow link for details of tactical roles.

Long Ball Football

Requirements

• Low risk mentality = Counter or Defensive team mentality (use Counter to encourage counter attacking*)

• Long passes = More Direct Passing or Go Route One

Optional Customisation

For details of tactical roles see Playing Styles – Tactical Roles.

More structured team shape + / Flexible team shape + / more fluid team shape + …

• … Disciplined movement = …
  • … Disciplined-running players / <= or => / Stick To Positions

• … Disciplined dribbles = …
  • … Disciplined-dribbling players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction

• … Safe passes = …
  • … Safe-passing players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction

• … Tactical discipline = …
  • … Disciplined players / <= or => / Be More Disciplined

• … Stepping back = no suitable team instruction

• … Loose marking = …
  • … Loose-marking players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction

• … Holding off = …
  • …Easy-tackling players / <= or => / Stay On Feet

To increase attacking risk* by focusing more on penetrating space*:

More structured team shape + / Flexible team shape + / more fluid team shape + …

• … Direct dribbles = …
  • … Dribbling players / <= or => / Run At Defence
• … Crosses = …
  • … Crossers / <= or => / Exploit The Left/Right Flank**
• … Crosses from deep = …
  • … Deep-crossing players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction
• … Speculative shots = …
  • … Shot-taking players / <= or => / Shoot On Sight

To decrease attacking risk by focusing more on keeping possession*, retaining solidity* and retaining compactness*:

More structured team shape + / Flexible team shape + / more fluid team shape + …

• … Refraining from dribbles = …
  • … Restricted-dribbling players / <= or => / Dribble Less
• … Refraining from crosses = …
  • … Restricted-crossing players / <= or => / Work Ball Into Box**
• … Crosses from byline = …
  • … Byline-crossing players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction
• … Refraining from shots = …
  • … Restricted-shooting players / <= or => / Work Ball Into Box**

** = applies more than one style method*. Exploit The Left/Right Flank also implements focusing play to players in wider areas.

Forward Movement Partnerships

Recommended forward movement partnerships:

• Direct partnerships – follow link for details of tactical roles.

Number-Ten

Recommended number-ten central attacker:

• Target-man – follow link for details of tactical roles.

Possession Football

Requirements

• Low risk mentality = Counter or Defensive team mentality (use Counter to encourage counter attacking*)

• Short passes = Shorter Passing or Retain Possession**

Optional Customisation

For details of tactical roles see Playing Styles – Tactical Roles.

More structured team shape + / Flexible team shape + / more fluid team shape + …

• … Refraining from dribbles = …
  • … Restricted-dribbling players / <= or => / Dribble Less

• … Refraining from crosses = …
  • … Restricted-crossing players / <= or => / Work Ball Into Box**

• … Crosses from byline = …
  • … Byline-crossing players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction

• … Refraining from shots = …
  • … Restricted-shooting players / <= or => / Work Ball Into Box**

• … Stepping back = no suitable team instruction

• … Loose marking = …
  • … Loose-marking players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction

• … Holding off = …
  • …Easy-tackling players / <= or => / Stay On Feet

To balanceattacking risk* to some extent by focusing more on penetrating space*:

More structured team shape + / Flexible team shape + / more fluid team shape + …

• … Roaming movement; runs into channels; drifting movement = …
  • … Roaming players; channel-running players; drifting players / <= or => / Roam From Positions
• … Lateral dribbles = …
  • … Wide-dribbling central players; inverted players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction
• … Risky passes = …
  • … Ball-playing players / <= or => / Pass Into Space
• … Creative freedom = …
  • … Creative players / <= or => / Be More Expressive

To further decrease attacking risk by focusing more on keeping possession*, retaining solidity* and retaining compactness*:

More structured team shape + / Flexible team shape + / more fluid team shape + …

• … Disciplined movement = …
  • … Disciplined-running players / <= or => / Stick To Positions
• … Disciplined dribbles = …
  • … Disciplined-dribbling players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction
• … Safe passes = …
  • … Safe-passing players / <= or => / Retain Possession**
• … Tactical discipline = …
  • … Disciplined players / <= or => / Be More Disciplined

** = applies more than one style method*.

Forward Movement Partnerships

Recommended forward movement partnerships:

• A mixture of direct partnerships and overlapping partnerships – follow link for details of tactical roles.

Number-Ten

Recommended number-ten central attacker:

• Technical number-ten or target-man – follow link for details of tactical roles.

High Pressure Football

Requirements

• High risk mentality = Control or Attacking team mentality

• Closing down = More Closing Down or Much More Closing Down

Optional Customisation

For details of tactical roles see Playing Styles – Tactical Roles.

More structured team shape + / Flexible team shape + / more fluid team shape + …

• … Roaming movement; runs into channels; drifting movement = …
  • … Roaming players; channel-running players; drifting players / <= or => / Roam From Positions

• … Direct dribbles = …
  • … Dribbling players / <= or => / Run At Defence

• … Lateral dribbles = …
  • … Wide-dribbling central players; inverted wide players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction

• … Risky passes = …
  • … Ball-playing players / <= or => / Pass Into Space

• … Crosses = …
  • … Crossers / <= or => / Exploit The Left/Right Flank**

• … Crosses from deep = …
  • … Deep-crossing players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction

• … Speculative shots = …
  • … Shot-taking players / <= or => / Shoot On Sight

• … Creative freedom = …
  • … Creative players / <= or => / Be More Expressive

• … Stepping up = Use Offside Trap

• … Tight marking = …
  • … Tight-marking players / <= or => / Use Tighter Marking

• … Tackling = …
  • …Hard-tackling players / <= or => / Get Stuck In

** = applies more than one style method*. Exploit The Left/Right Flank also implements focusing play to players in wider areas.

Forward Movement Partnerships

Recommended forward movement partnerships:

• Overlapping partnerships – follow link for details of tactical roles.

Number-Ten

Recommended number-ten central attacker:

• Technical number-ten – follow link for details of tactical roles.

Cautious Attacking Football

Requirements

• High risk mentality = Control or Attacking team mentality

• Sitting off = Less Closing Down or Much Less Closing Down

Optional Customisation

For details of tactical roles see Playing Styles – Tactical Roles.

More structured team shape + / Flexible team shape + / more fluid team shape + …

• … Roaming movement; runs into channels; drifting movement = …
  • … Roaming players; channel-running players; drifting players / <= or => / Roam From Positions

• … Direct dribbles = …
  • … Dribbling players / <= or => / Run At Defence

• … Lateral dribbles = …
  • … Wide-dribbling central players; inverted wide players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction

• … Risky passes = …
  • … Ball-playing players / <= or => / Pass Into Space

• … Crosses = …
  • … Crossers / <= or => / Exploit The Left/Right Flank**

• … Crosses from deep = …
  • … Deep-crossing players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction

• … Speculative shots = …
  • … Shot-taking players / <= or => / Shoot On Sight

• … Creative freedom = …
  • … Creative players / <= or => / Be More Expressive

To increase defensive risk* by focusing more on restricting space*:

More structured team shape + / Flexible team shape + / more fluid team shape + …

• … Stepping up = Use Offside Trap
• … Tight marking = …
  • … Tight-marking players / <= or => / Use Tighter Marking
• … Tackling = …
  • …Hard-tackling players / <= or => / Get Stuck In

To decrease defensive risk by focusing more on protecting space* and retaining compactness*:

More structured team shape + / Flexible team shape + / more fluid team shape + …

• … Stepping back = no suitable team instruction
• … Loose marking = …
  • … Loose-marking players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction
• … Holding off = …
  • …Easy-tackling players / <= or => / Stay On Feet

** = applies more than one style method*. Exploit The Left/Right Flank also implements focusing play to players in wider areas.

Forward Movement Partnerships

Recommended forward movement partnerships:

• Overlapping partnerships – follow link for details of tactical roles.

Number-Ten

Recommended number-ten central attacker:

• Technical number-ten – follow link for details of tactical roles.

Aggressive Defensive Football

Requirements

• Low risk mentality = Counter or Defensive team mentality (use Counter to encourage counter attacking*)

• Closing down = More Closing Down or Much More Closing Down

Optional Customisation

For details of tactical roles see Playing Styles – Tactical Roles.

More structured team shape + / Flexible team shape + / more fluid team shape + …

• … Disciplined movement = …
  • … Disciplined-running players / <= or => / Stick To Positions

• … Refraining from dribbles = …
  • … Restricted-dribbling players / <= or => / Dribble Less

• … Disciplined dribbles = …
  • … Disciplined-dribbling players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction

• … Safe passes = …
  • … Safe-passing players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction

• … Refraining from crosses = …
  • … Restricted-crossing players / <= or => / Work Ball Into Box**

• … Crosses from byline = …
  • … Byline-crossing players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction

• … Refraining from shots = …
  • … Restricted-shooting players / <= or => / Work Ball Into Box**

• … Tactical discipline = …
  • … Disciplined players / <= or => / Be More Disciplined

To increase defensive risk* by focusing more on restricting space*:

More structured team shape + / Flexible team shape + / more fluid team shape + …

• … Stepping up = Use Offside Trap
• … Tight marking = …
  • … Tight-marking players / <= or => / Use Tighter Marking
• … Tackling = …
  • …Hard-tackling players / <= or => / Get Stuck In

To decrease defensive risk by focusing more on protecting space* and retaining compactness*:

More structured team shape + / Flexible team shape + / more fluid team shape + …

• … Stepping back = no suitable team instruction
• … Loose marking = …
  • … Loose-marking players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction
• … Holding off = …
  • …Easy-tackling players / <= or => / Stay On Feet

** = applies more than one style method*.

Forward Movement Partnerships

Recommended forward movement partnerships:

• Direct partnerships – follow link for details of tactical roles.

Number-Ten

Recommended number-ten central attacker:

• Target-man – follow link for details of tactical roles.

Parking-The-Bus Football

Requirements

• Low risk mentality = Counter or Defensive team mentality (use Counter to encourage counter attacking*)

• Sitting off = Less Closing Down or Much Less Closing Down

Optional Customisation

For details of tactical roles see Playing Styles – Tactical Roles.

More structured team shape + / Flexible team shape + / more fluid team shape + …

• … Disciplined movement = …
  • … Disciplined-running players / <= or => / Stick To Positions

• … Refraining from dribbles = …
  • … Restricted-dribbling players / <= or => / Dribble Less

• … Disciplined dribbles = …
  • … Disciplined-dribbling players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction

• … Safe passes = …
  • … Safe-passing players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction

• … Refraining from crosses = …
  • … Restricted-crossing players / <= or => / Work Ball Into Box**

• … Crosses from byline = …
  • … Byline-crossing players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction

• … Refraining from shots = …
  • … Restricted-shooting players / <= or => / Work Ball Into Box**

• … Tactical discipline = …
  • … Disciplined players / <= or => / Be More Disciplined

• … Stepping back = no suitable team instruction

• … Loose marking = …
  • … Loose-marking players / <= or => / no suitable team instruction

• … Holding off = …
  • …Easy-tackling players / <= or => / Stay On Feet

** = applies more than one style method*.

Forward Movement Partnerships

Recommended forward movement partnerships:

• Direct partnerships – follow link for details of tactical roles.

Number-Ten

Recommended number-ten central attacker:

• Target-man – follow link for details of tactical roles.