This guide can be used for reference when using the tactical roles* suggested in the Playing Styles guide to customise your team’s playing style.
Details of each tactical role, including appropriate player instructions, are provided below. Also provided are the player roles and duties that can be used to assign each tactical role, if used with their default player instructions.
Player instructions and player roles and duties that can be used to assign each tactical role are as per the analysis in the Player Instructions and Player Roles & Duties guides.
Roaming Players / Channel-Running Players / Drifting Players
Roaming players*, channel-running players* and drifting players* can be used to implement roaming movement*, runs into channels* and drifting movement* as player-based style methods*.
Tactical Roles
Roaming players:
- Players instructed to Roam From Position.
Channel-running players:
- Players instructed to Move Into Channels.
There are no suitable player instructions for assigning the drifting player component role type*. However, there are suitable player roles and duties.
Avoid or limit the use of disciplined-running players.
Player Roles & Duties
Roaming players:
- Regista (DM Support)
- Roaming Playmaker (DM/CM Support)
- Box To Box Midfielder (CM Support)
- Mezzala (Off-Centre CM Support/Attack)
- Complete Wing Back (FB/WB Support/Attack)
- Inverted Wing Back (FB/WB Defend/Support/Attack)
- Wide Playmaker (WM Support/Attack)
- Trequartista (WF/AM/CF Attack)
- Raumdeuter (WF Attack)
- Complete Forward (CF Support/Attack)
Channel-running players:
- Mezzala (Off-Centre CM Support/Attack)
- Raumdeuter (WF Attack)
- Trequartista (AM/CF Attack)
- Shadow Striker (AM Attack)
- Deep Lying Forward (CF Attack)
- Advanced Forward (CF Attack)
- Complete Forward (CF Attack)
- False Nine (CF Support)
Drifting players:
- Carrilero (Off-Centre CM Support)
Disciplined-Running Players
Disciplined-running players* can be used to implement disciplined movement* as a player-based style method*.
Tactical Roles
- Players instructed to Hold Position (note that such players are holding players* and so are also sitting players* – therefore, you may want to use the Stick To Positions team instruction instead if you want to implement disciplined movement as a style method).
Avoid or limit the use of roaming players.
Player Roles & Duties
- Sweeper (SW Defend)
- Central Defender (CB Defend/Stopper/Cover)
- Ball Playing Defender (CB Defend/Stopper/Cover)
- Defensive Centre Back (CB Defend/Stopper/Cover)
- Defensive Midfielder (DM Defend)
- Deep Lying Playmaker (DM/CM Defend/Support)
- Ball Winning Midfielder (DM/CM Defend)
- Anchor Man (DM Defend)
- Half Back (DM Defend)
- Central Midfielder (CM Defend)
- Full Back (FB Defend)
- Wing Back (FB/WB Defend)
- Defensive Full Back (FB Defend)
- Wide Midfielder (WM Defend)
- Defensive Winger (WM Defend)
- Wide Target Man (WF Support)
- Advanced Playmaker (AM Support)
- Defensive Forward (CF Defend)
Dribbling Players
Dribbling players* can be used to implement direct dribbles* as a player-based style method*.
Tactical Roles
- Players instructed to Dribble More.
Avoid or limit the use of restricted-dribbling players.
Player Roles & Duties
- Roaming Playmaker (DM/CM Support)
- Advanced Playmaker (CM/WF/AM Attack)
- Wing Back (FB/WB Attack)
- Complete Wing Back (FB/WB Support/Attack)
- Inverted Wing Back (FB/WB Attack)
- Winger (WM/WF Support/Attack)
- Defensive Winger (WM Defend/Support)
- Wide Playmaker (WM Attack)
- Inverted Winger (WM Support/Attack)
- Inside Forward (WF Support/Attack)
- Trequartista (WF/AM/CF Attack)
- Shadow Striker (AM Attack)
- Advanced Forward (CF Attack)
- Complete Forward (CF Support/Attack)
Restricted-Dribbling Players
Restricted-dribbling players* can be used to implement refraining from dribbles* as a player-based style method*.
Tactical Roles
- Players instructed to Dribble Less.
Avoid or limit the use of dribbling players.
Player Roles & Duties
- Sweeper (SW Defend)
- Central Defender (CB Defend/Stopper/Cover)
- Defensive Centre Back (CB Defend/Stopper/Cover)
- Defensive Midfielder (DM Defend)
- Ball Winning Midfielder (DM/CM Defend)
- Anchor Man (DM Defend)
- Half Back (DM Defend)
- Defensive Full Back (FB Defend)
- Inverted Wing Back (FB/WB Defend)
- Wide Target Man (WF Support/Attack)
- Enganche (AM Attack)
- Target Man (CF Support/Attack)
Wide-Dribbling Central Players / Inverted Wide Players
Wide-dribbling central players* and inverted wide players* can be used to implement lateral dribbles* as a player-based style method*.
Tactical Roles
Wide-dribbling central players:
- Players assigned a central playing position* and instructed to Run Wide With Ball.
Inverted wide players:
- Players assigned a wide playing position and instructed to Cut Inside With Ball.
Avoid or limit the use of disciplined-dribbling players.
Player Roles & Duties
Wide-dribbling central players: none.
Inverted wide players:
- Inverted Wing Back (FB/WB Defend/Support/Attack)
- Wide Playmaker (WM Support/Attack)
- Inverted Winger (WM Support/Attack)
- Advanced Playmaker (WF Support/Attack)
- Inside Forward (WF Support/Attack)
Disciplined-Dribbling Players
Disciplined-dribbling players* can be used to implement disciplined dribbles* as a player-based style method*.
Tactical Roles
Disciplined-dribbling central players: none.
Disciplined-dribbling wide players:
- Players assigned a wide playing position* and instructed to Run Wide With Ball.
Avoid or limit the use of wide-dribbling central players and inverted wide players.
Player Roles & Duties
Flank-dribbling wide players*:
- Wing Back (FB/WB Attack)
- Complete Wing Back (FB/WB Support/Attack)
- Winger (WM/WF Support/Attack)
Ball-Playing Players
Ball-playing players* can be used to implement risky passes* as a player-based style method*.
Tactical Roles
- Players instructed to make More Risky Passes.
Avoid or limit the use of safe-passing players.
Player Roles & Duties
- Libero (SW Support/Attack)
- Ball Playing Defender (CB Defend/Stopper/Cover)
- Advanced Playmaker (CM/WF/AM Support/Attack)
- Mezzala (Off-Centre CM Attack)
- Inverted Wing Back (FB/WB Attack)
- Wide Playmaker (WM Attack)
- Inside Forward (WF Support)
- Trequartista (WF/AM/CF Attack)
- Enganche (AM Attack)
- Shadow Striker (AM Attack)
- Deep Lying Forward (CF Support)
- Complete Forward (CF Support/Attack)
- False Nine (CF Support)
Safe-Passing Players
Safe-passing players* can be used to implement safe passes* as a player-based style method*.
Tactical Roles
- Players instructed to make Fewer Risky Passes.
Avoid or limit the use of ball-playing players.
Player Roles & Duties
- Defensive Centre Back (CB Defend/Stopper/Cover)
- Ball Winning Midfielder (DM/CM Defend)
- Anchor Man (DM Defend)
- Full Back (FB Defend)
- Wing Back (FB/WB Defend)
- Defensive Full Back (FB/WB Defend)
- Wide Midfielder (WM Defend)
- Poacher (CF Attack)
- Defensive Forward (CF Defend/Support)
Crossers
Crossers* can be used to implement crosses* as a player-based style method*.
Tactical Roles
- Players instructed to Cross More Often.
Avoid or limit the use of restricted-crossing players.
Player Roles & Duties
- Full back (FB Attack)
- Wing Back (FB/WB Attack)
- Complete Wing Back (FB/WB Support/Attack)
- Winger (WM/WF Support/Attack)
Restricted-Crossing Players
Restricted-crossing players* can be used to implement refraining from crosses* as a player-based style method*.
Tactical Roles
- Players instructed to Cross Less Often.
Avoid or limit the use of crossers.
Player Roles & Duties
- Defensive Full Back (FB Defend)
- Inverted Wing Back (FB/WB Defend/Support/Attack)
- Wide Playmaker (WM Support/Attack)
- Advanced Playmaker (WF Support/Attack)
- Inside Forward (WF Support/Attack)
- Raumdeuter (WF Attack)
Deep-Crossing Players
Deep-crossing players* can be used to implement crosses from deep* as a player-based style method*.
Tactical Roles
- Players instructed to Cross From Deep.
Avoid or limit the use of byline-crossing players.
Player Roles & Duties
- Full Back (FB Defend/Support)
- Wing Back (FB/WB Defend)
- Wide Midfielder (WM Defend)
Byline-Crossing Players
Byline-crossing players* can be used to implement crosses from byline* as a player-based style method*.
Tactical Roles
- Players instructed to Cross From Byline.
Avoid or limit the use of deep-crossing players.
Player Roles & Duties
- Wing Back (FB/WB Attack)
- Complete Wing Back (FB/WB Support/Attack)
- Winger (WM/WF Attack)
Shot-Taking Players
Shot-taking players* can be used to implement speculative shots* as a player-based style method*.
Tactical Roles
- Players instructed to Shoot More Often.
Avoid or limit the use of restricted-shooting players.
Player Roles & Duties
- Libero (SW Attack)
- Segundo Volante (Off-Centre DM Attack)
Restricted-Shooting Players
Restricted-shooting players* can be used to implement refraining from shots* as a player-based style method*.
Tactical Roles
- Players instructed to Shoot Less Often.
Avoid or limit the use of shot-taking players.
Player Roles & Duties
- Sweeper (SW Defend)
- Central Defender (CB Defend/Stopper/Cover)
- Defensive Centre Back (CB Defend/Stopper/Cover)
- Deep Lying Playmaker (DM/CM Defend/Support)
- Anchor Man (DM Defend)
- Advanced Playmaker (CM/WF/AM Support/Attack)
- Defensive Centre Back (FB Defend)
- Wide Playmaker (WM Support/Attack)
Creative Players
Creative players* can be used to implement creative freedom* as a player-based style method*.
Tactical Roles
There are no suitable player instructions for assigning the creative player component role type*. However, there are suitable player roles and duties.
Avoid or limit the use of disciplined players.
Player Roles & Duties
- Libero (SW Support/Attack)
- Ball Playing Defender (CB Defend/Stopper/Cover)
- Deep Lying Playmaker (DM/CM Defend/Support)
- Regista (DM Support)
- Roaming Playmaker (DM/CM Support)
- Advanced Playmaker (CM/WF/AM Support/Attack)
- Inverted Wing Back (FB/WB Defend/Support/Attack)
- Wide Playmaker (WM Support/Attack)
- Trequartista (WF/AM/CF Attack)
- Enganche (AM Attack)
- Complete Forward (CF Support/Attack)
- False Nine (CF Support)
Disciplined Players
Disciplined players* can be used to implement tactical discipline* as a player-based style method*.
Tactical Roles
There are no suitable player instructions for assigning the disciplined player component role type*. However, there are suitable player roles and duties.
Avoid or limit the use of creative players.
Player Roles & Duties
- Sweeper (SW Defend)
- Defensive Centre Back (CB Defend/Stopper/Cover)
- Ball Winning Midfielder (DM/CM Defend/Support)
- Defensive Full Back (FB Defend)
- Poacher (CF Attack)
Tight-Marking Players
Tight-marking players* can be used to implement tight marking* as a player-based style method*.
Tactical Roles
- Players instructed to Mark Tighter.
Avoid or limit the use of loose-marking players.
Player Roles & Duties
None.
Loose-Marking Players
Loose-marking players* can be used to implement loose marking* as a player-based style method*.
Tactical Roles
There are no suitable player instructions or player roles and duties for implementing the loose-marking player component role type*.
Avoid or limit the use of tight-marking players.
Player Roles & Duties
None.
Hard-Tackling Players
Hard-tackling players* can be used to implement tackling* as a player-based style method*.
Tactical Roles
- Players instructed to Tackle Harder.
Avoid or limit the use of easy-tackling players.
Player Roles & Duties
- Ball Winning Midfielder (DM/CM Defend/Support)
- Defensive Winger (WM Defend/Support)
- Defensive Forward (CF Defend/Support)
Easy-Tackling Players
Easy-tackling players* can be used to implement holding off* as a player-based style method*.
Tactical Roles
- Players instructed to Ease Off Tackles.
Avoid or limit the use of hard-tackling players.
Player Roles & Duties
- Trequartista (WF/AM/CF Attack)
