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Standard Team Instructions

The analysis of standard team instructions includes all team instructions other than those for which the main recommended use is implementing match strategies.

Strategic team instructions are analysed separately.

The information provided for each standard team instruction is explained in the Team Instructions guide.

Team Mentality

The team mentality instructions, in order from higher risk to lower risk, are:

  • Overload
  • Attacking
  • Control
  • Standard
  • Counter
  • Defensive
  • Contain

A higher risk team mentality carries a higher level of tactical risk* while a lower risk team mentality carries a lower level of tactical risk.

The standard team mentality provides a balance between the higher risk and lower risk team mentality instructions.

Game Description

Overload – throw all players forward and try desperately to score.

This mentality is intended for situations where the team needs to go for broke to try to score a goal. It aims to overload the final third by employing an ultra-fast tempo and ultra-direct, attacking-oriented passing supported by a defensive mentality aimed at recycling possession. It focuses heavily on throwing players forward and into space to try to create goal-scoring opportunities.

Attacking – get players forward and play fast attacking football.

This mentality is best employed for matches that you are favourites to win and expect to dominate possession in your opponent’s half. It aims to exploit space in the final third by employing a fast tempo and direct, attacking passing supported by a defensive mentality aimed at recycling possession. It focuses heavily on getting players forward and into space and allows them the creative freedom to express themselves.

Control – control the match but be wary of counter attacks.

This mentality is best employed for matches in which you believe you are the stronger team but are wary of your opponent’s counter attacking threat. It aims to move the ball around the park and to patiently probe the final third to find space as and when it opens up. Although full backs overlap and midfielders break ahead of the forwards, they will generally only do so during relatively risk-free situations and will usually sit back and help the midfield maintain possession until chances open up.

Standard – balances risk and reward so you can assess the match situation.

This is arguably the most important of all match mentalities. By carefully balancing risk and reward, it enables a manager to assess the match situation and how well the team is playing prior to switching to a more specialised tactical plan. It is an ideal starting mentality for all matches expected to be even in nature, by carefully watching the match the manager can then decide to be more aggressive or cautious or to stick with the standard approach if things are going well.

Counter – keep men behind the ball and look to get the ball forward quickly when won.

This mentality is best employed for matches in which you expect to lose the battle for possession but feel you can break with some regularity. It aims to keep men behind the ball when defending but to provide quick support to attacking players when the ball is in the final third. It relies on getting the ball forward quickly enough to expose the spaces behind aggressive full backs and wingers, with players tending to stay deeper and maintain defensive shape if the break looks like coming to nothing.

Defensive – keep men behind the ball and look to frustrate the opposition.

This mentality is best employed for matches that you are favourites to lose and in which you expect your opponent to put you under extended pressure. It aims to keep men behind the ball, to restrict space in your half, to slow things down and to frustrate the opposition. It relies on direct balls to the forwards followed by sharp and quick passing to score goals on the counter.

Contain – focus on defending, play it slow and safe, and don’t look to score.

The aim of this mentality is to frustrate the opposition by reducing space, slowing things down, keeping the ball, wasting time as much as possible and clearing the ball long when out of risk-free options. Unlike the defensive team mentality it is not looking to score on the counter attack, just not to concede. As possession and frustration is the priority, more players than usual will be kept behind the ball.

Use

Higher Risk

Recommended use (attacking and control):

Recommended use (overload):

  • Implementing an extremely high tactical risk version of the attacking football core style as a match strategy that focuses on trying to penetrate space* and restrict space* to an extreme extent when scoring a goal* is an immediate priority.

Lower Risk

Recommended use (counter and defensive):

Recommended use (contain):

Effects

Higher Risk

Selecting a higher risk team mentality:

  • Instructs the team to use the attacking football core style.
  • Instructs the team to use a high risk mentality* to a greater extent.
    • Increases the player mentality bar for all players.
  • Instructs the team to use wide positioning* to a slightly greater extent.
    • Expands the team WIDTH slider slightly.
  • Instructs the team to use high tempo play* to a slightly greater extent.
    • Expands the team TEMPO slider slightly.
  • Instructs the team to close down* to a slightly greater extent.
    • Expands the player CLOSING DOWN slider slightly for all players. Expands the team CLOSING DOWN slider slightly.
  • Instructs the team to use a high line* to a slightly greater extent (depends on the team mentality and defensive line instructions used).
    • Expands the team DEFENSIVE LINE slider slightly (depends on the team mentality and defensive line instructions used).
  • Instructs most players who use a high risk mentality to make long passes* to a greater extent.
    • Expands the player PASSING DIRECTNESS slider for players with an attack duty, with the exception of players with a few particular roles.
  • Instructs most players who use a low risk mentality to make short passes* to a greater extent.
    • Compresses the player PASSING DIRECTNESS slider for players with a defend, stopper or cover duty, with the exception of players with a few particular roles.
  • Instructs the team to make roaming movement* to a slightly greater extent.
    • Assumed.
  • Instructs the team to make long passes to a slightly greater extent (depends on the team mentality and team passing directness instructions used, as well as player duties).
    • Expands the team PASSING DIRECTNESS slider slightly (depends on the team mentality and team passing directness instructions used, as well as player duties).
  • Instructs the team to use time wasting* to a lesser extent.
    • Decreases the team TIME WASTING bar.
  • Instructs the team to tackle* to a slightly greater extent.
    • Assumed.

The higher risk the team mentality is, the more pronounced these effects are.

Lower Risk

Selecting a lower risk team mentality:

  • Instructs the team to use the defensive football core style.
  • Instructs the team to use a low risk mentality* to a greater extent.
    • Decreases the player mentality bar for all players.
  • Instructs the team to use narrow positioning* to a slightly greater extent.
    • Compresses the team WIDTH slider slightly.
  • Instructs the team to use low tempo play* to a slightly greater extent.
    • Compresses the team TEMPO slider slightly.
  • Instructs the team to sit off* to a slightly greater extent.
    • Compresses the player CLOSING DOWN slider slightly for all players. Compresses the team CLOSING DOWN slider slightly.
  • Instructs the team to use a deep line* to a slightly greater extent (depends on the team mentality and defensive line instructions used).
    • Compresses the team DEFENSIVE LINE slider slightly (depends on the team mentality and defensive line instructions used).
  • Instructs most players who use a high risk mentality to make short passes to a greater extent.
    • Compresses the player PASSING DIRECTNESS slider for players with an attack duty, with the exception of players with a few particular roles.
  • Instructs most players who use a low risk mentality to make long passes to a greater extent (counter only – for defensive and contain there is a greater focus on keeping possession* rather than on using breaks* in deeper areas).
    • Expands the player PASSING DIRECTNESS slider for players with a defend, stopper or cover duty, with the exception of players with a few particular roles (counter only – for defensive the player PASSING DIRECTNESS sliders are decreased to the level used for support duty players, while for contain they are decreased further, along with those for support duty players).
  • Instructs the team to make short passes to a slightly greater extent (depends on the team mentality and team passing directness instructions used, as well as player duties).
    • Compresses the team PASSING DIRECTNESS slider slightly (depends on the team mentality and team passing directness instructions used, as well as player duties).
  • Instructs the team to use time wasting to a greater extent.
    • Increases the team TIME WASTING bar. Selects Waste Time (contain only).
  • Instructs the team to hold off* to a slightly greater extent.
    • Assumed.
  • Instructs the team to use counter attacking* to a slightly greater extent (counter only).
    • Assumed.

The lower risk the team mentality is, the more pronounced these effects are.

Player Attributes

Higher Risk

Outfield players:

Players assigned deeper playing positions:

Players assigned more advanced playing positions:

Lower Risk

Outfield players:

  • Good physical abilities.
  • Perhaps poor mental, attacking and defensive abilities.

Players assigned deeper playing positions:

  • Good physical presence (Strength)
  • Perhaps poor movement (Anticipation, Decisions, Teamwork)
  • Perhaps poor defensive positioning (Positioning)
  • Perhaps poor tackling ability (Tackling)

Players assigned more advanced playing positions:

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

At least one player assigned a centre forward playing position:

Team Shape

The team shape instructions, in order from more structured to more fluid, are:

  • Highly Structured
  • Structured
  • Flexible
  • Fluid
  • Very Fluid

The flexible team shape provides a balance between the more structured and more fluid team shape instructions.

Game Description

Highly Structured – with this approach each player is expected to focus on a single phase of play within a very structured system.

Defenders are responsible only for the defensive phase, midfielders are responsible only for the transition phase and forwards are responsible only for the attacking phase.

The team will be expected to keep its shape at all times, playing very precise and controlled football with players allowed little creative freedom.

Structured – with this approach players are expected to contribute to fewer phases of play than with the flexible team shape.

Central defenders are responsible only for the defensive phase. The full backs and more defensive midfielders are responsible for both defensive and transition phases. The wingers and more attacking midfielders are responsible for both transition and attacking phases. The forwards are responsible only for the attacking phase.

The team will be expected to keep its shape and play precise and controlled football with players allowed less creative freedom.

Flexible – with this approach players are expected to contribute to more than one phase of play.

Defenders and more defensive midfielders are responsible for both defensive and transition phases, and more attacking midfielders and forwards are responsible for both transition and attacking phases.

The team will aim to find a balance between the movement of players within the system and keeping its shape.

Fluid – with this approach players are expected to contribute to more phases of play than with the flexible team shape.

The team is split into broad attacking and defensive units with the more creative players responsible for the attacking phase and the more defensively disciplined players responsible for the defensive phase. However, players from each unit are expected to move into the transition phase when the right opportunity arises.

The team will be encouraged to play more flowing football with players allowed more creative freedom.

Very Fluid – with this approach all players are expected to contribute to all phases of play within a very fluid system.

Attackers must be able to defend and defenders must be able to attack, with players relying on their reading of the game and each other’s movement to shift in and out of each phase at the right moment.

The team will be encouraged to play free-flowing football with players allowed high levels of creative freedom.

Use

More Structured

Recommended use:

More Fluid

Recommended use:

Effects

More Structured

Selecting a more structured team shape:

  • Instructs the team to use a more structured playing system.
  • Instructs players who are assigned more advanced playing positions* to use a high risk mentality* to a greater extent.
    • Increases the player mentality bar for players in more advanced playing positions.
  • Instructs players who are assigned deeper playing positions to use a low risk mentality* to a greater extent.
    • Decreases the player mentality bar for players in deeper playing positions.
  • Gives larger differences between high risk mentalities and low risk mentalities.
  • Instructs the team to sit off* to a slightly greater extent.
    • Compresses the player CLOSING DOWN slider slightly for all players. Compresses the team CLOSING DOWN slider slightly.

The more structured the team shape is, the more pronounced these effects are.

More Fluid

Selecting a more fluid team shape:

  • Instructs the team to use a more fluid playing system.
  • Instructs players who are assigned more advanced playing positions to use a low risk mentality to a greater extent.
    • Decreases the player mentality bar for players in more advanced playing positions.
  • Instructs players who are assigned deeper playing positions to use a high risk mentality to a greater extent.
    • Increases the player mentality bar for players in deeper playing positions.
  • Gives smaller differences between high risk mentalities and low risk mentalities.
  • Instructs the team to close down* to a slightly greater extent.
    • Expands the player CLOSING DOWN slider slightly for all players. Expands the team CLOSING DOWN slider slightly.

The more fluid the team shape is, the more pronounced these effects are.

Player Attributes

More Structured

Outfield players:

  • Specialised attacking and defensive abilities – most players have a mixture of high and low rated playing attributes, making them more suited to specialising in particular positional responsibilities

More Fluid

Outfield players:

  • Flexible attacking and defensive abilities – most players have a large number of average rated playing attributes, making them more suited to sharing positional responsibilities

Team Tempo

Game Description

Much Higher Tempo – will ask the team to go about their business in a more urgent fashion, moving the ball around quickly and decisively, and using the intensity of their approach to unsettle the opposition and eventually tire them out.

Higher Tempo – will ask the team to go about their business in an urgent fashion, moving the ball around quickly and decisively, and using the intensity of their approach to unsettle the opposition.

Normal Tempo – players will adopt a balanced tempo throughout the match, increasing it when necessary and slowing things down in appropriate situations.

Lower Tempo – will ask the team to go about their business in a considered and patient manner, taking their time with the ball and often retaining possession in order to retain control of the game.

Much Lower Tempo – will ask the team to go about their business in a more considered and patient manner, taking their time with the ball and often retaining possession with no great short-term purpose, with the intention to retain control of the game.

Use

Increasing the Slider

Recommended use:

  • Adjusting the team tempo set by team mentality and team passing directness.

It can also be used to implement high tempo play* as a team-based style method*.

Decreasing the Slider

Recommended use:

  • Adjusting the team tempo set by team mentality and team passing directness.

It can also be used to implement low tempo play* as a team-based style method.

Effects

Increasing the Slider

Increasing the team TEMPO slider, e.g. to Higher Tempo or Much Higher Tempo:

  • Instructs the team to use high tempo play to a greater extent.

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

Decreasing the Slider

Decreasing the team TEMPO slider, e.g. to Lower Tempo or Much Lower Tempo:

  • Instructs the team to use low tempo play to a greater extent.

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

Player Attributes

Increasing the Slider

Players who play in midfield and attack in particular:

  • Decent endeavour (Work Rate)
  • Good creativity (Anticipation, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork, Vision)
  • Good movement (Anticipation, Decisions, Teamwork)
  • Good mobility (Acceleration, Agility, Pace)
  • Good off the ball movement (Off The Ball)
  • Good control (First Touch, Technique)

Decreasing the Slider

Players who play in midfield and attack in particular:

  • Perhaps poor endeavour (Work Rate)
  • Perhaps poor creativity (Anticipation, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork, Vision)
  • Perhaps poor movement (Anticipation, Decisions, Teamwork)
  • Perhaps poor mobility (Acceleration, Agility, Pace)
  • Perhaps poor off the ball movement (Off The Ball)
  • Perhaps poor control (First Touch, Technique)

Team Time Wasting

The team TIME WASTING bar cannot be adjusted manually. It is set by the team mentality.

Effects

Increasing the Bar

Increasing the team TIME WASTING bar:

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

Decreasing the Bar

Decreasing the team TIME WASTING bar:

  • Instructs the team to use time wasting to a lesser extent.

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

Team Width

Game Description

Wide Width – instructs the team to stretch the play even wider and use the full extremes of the pitch to their advantage.

Fairly Wide Width – instructs players to look to stretch the pitch and play wider.

Balanced Width – players will adopt a balanced approach to wide play as the demands of the match dictate; if they feel they can exploit wide areas they will do so, whilst they will also play in central areas when appropriate.

Fairly Narrow Width – instructs players to look to narrow the field and play in the middle of the pitch.

Narrow Width – instructs players to play almost exclusively through the central areas of the pitch, congesting the play to a smaller area and working in much more intricate confines.

Use

Increasing the Slider

Recommended use:

  • Adjusting the team width set by team mentality and passing directness.

It can also be used to implement wide positioning* as a team-based style method*.

Decreasing the Slider

Recommended use:

  • Adjusting the team width set by team mentality and passing directness.

It can also be used to implement narrow positioning* as a team-based style method.

Effects

Increasing the Slider

Increasing the team WIDTH slider, e.g. to Fairly Wide Width or Wide Width:

  • Instructs the team to use wide positioning to a greater extent.

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

Decreasing the Slider

Decreasing the team WIDTH slider, e.g. to Fairly Narrow Width or Narrow Width:

  • Instructs the team to use narrow positioning to a greater extent.

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

Player Attributes

Increasing the Slider

Players who play in midfield and attack in particular:

  • 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)

Players assigned defender and midfielder playing positions in particular:

  • Good movement (Anticipation, Decisions, Teamwork)
  • Good defensive positioning (Positioning)
  • Good marking ability (Marking)

Decreasing the Slider

Players who play in midfield and attack in particular:

  • 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)

Players assigned defender and midfielder playing positions in particular:

  • Perhaps poor movement (Anticipation, Decisions, Teamwork)
  • Perhaps poor defensive positioning (Positioning)
  • Perhaps poor marking ability (Marking)

Defensive Line

Game Description

Higher Defensive Line – will see the defence adopt a much higher position on the pitch, closer to the halfway line, in a bid to compress the space in which the opposition can play whilst remaining close to their midfield teammates.

Slightly Higher Defensive Line – instructs players to play higher up the pitch, starting with the line the defence holds which should be close to the halfway line if this option is chosen.

Normal Defensive Line – players will adopt a balanced approach to their defensive line according to the match situation. They will push higher when needed and will be willing to drop deeper should it be required.

Slightly Deeper Defensive Line – instructs players to retreat into their own territory and defend from there.

Deeper Defensive Line – will see the defence play much closer to their own goal, retreating into a more compact shape to prevent the opposition from making gains in the space behind them.

Use

Increasing the Slider

Recommended use:

  • Adjusting the defensive line set by team mentality and team closing down (by adjusting the defensive block* accordingly).

It can also be used to implement a high line* as a team-based style method*.

Decreasing the Slider

Recommended use:

  • Adjusting the defensive line set by team mentality and team closing down (by adjusting the defensive block accordingly).

It can also be used to implement a deep line* as a team-based style method.

Effects

Increasing the Slider

Increasing the team DEFENSIVE LINE slider, e.g. to Slightly Higher Defensive Line or Higher Defensive Line:

  • Instructs the team to use a high line to a greater extent.
  • Instructs the team to close down* to a slightly greater extent (depends on the defensive line and team closing down instructions used).
    • Expands the player CLOSING DOWN slider slightly for all players (depends on the defensive line and team closing down instructions used). Expands the team CLOSING DOWN slider slightly (depends on the defensive line and team closing down instructions used).

The more the slider is increased, the more pronounced these effects are.

Decreasing the Slider

Decreasing the team DEFENSIVE LINE slider, e.g. to Slightly Deeper Defensive Line or Deeper Defensive Line:

  • Instructs the team to use a deep line to a greater extent.
  • Instructs the team to sit off* to a slightly greater extent (depends on the defensive line and team closing down instructions used).
    • Compresses the player CLOSING DOWN slider slightly for all players (depends on the defensive line and team closing down instructions used). Compresses the team CLOSING DOWN slider slightly (depends on the defensive line and team closing down instructions used).

The more the slider is decreased, the more pronounced these effects are.

Player Attributes

Increasing the Slider

Players assigned defender, defensive midfielder and wing back playing positions in particular:

  • Good 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)

Goalkeeper:

  • Good One On Ones, Rushing Out, Anticipation, Decisions, Acceleration, Agility, Pace.
  • Perhaps poor Aerial Ability, Command of Area, Handling.

Decreasing the Slider

Players assigned defender, defensive midfielder and wing back playing positions in particular:

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

Goalkeeper:

  • Good Aerial Ability, Command of Area, Handling.
  • Perhaps poor One On Ones, Rushing Out, Anticipation, Decisions, Acceleration, Agility, Pace.

Use Offside Trap

Game Description

Use Offside Trap – will ask players to adopt a defensive strategy where they seek to catch opposition forwards offside.

Use

Recommended use:

Effects

Selecting Use Offside Trap:

  • Instructs the team to step up to a greater extent.

Player Attributes

Players assigned centre back and full back playing positions:

  • Good movement (Anticipation, Decisions, Teamwork)
  • Good mobility (Acceleration, Pace)
  • Good defensive positioning (Positioning)

Team Closing Down

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 – instructs players to actively engage the opponent in possession in a bid to reduce the time they have on the ball and ultimately to win it back from them as quickly as possible.

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 – instructs players to adopt a patient approach as they largely remain in their defensive shape, asking the opponent to break them down rather than forcing the issue and leaving themselves potentially exposed.

Much Less Closing Down – takes things a step further from the Less Closing Down 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.

Use

Increasing the Slider

Recommended use:

Decreasing the Slider

Recommended use:

Effects

Increasing the Slider

Increasing the team CLOSING DOWN slider, e.g. to More Closing Down or Much More Closing Down:

  • Instructs the team to use the aggressive pressing defensive style.
  • Instructs the team to close down* to a greater extent.
    • Expands the player CLOSING DOWN slider for all players.
  • Instructs the team to use a high line* to a slightly greater extent (depends on the defensive line and team closing down instructions used).
    • Expands the team DEFENSIVE LINE slider slightly (depends on the defensive line and team closing down instructions used).

The more the slider is increased, the more pronounced these effects are.

Decreasing the Slider

Decreasing the team CLOSING DOWN slider, e.g. to Less Closing Down or Much Less Closing Down:

  • Instructs the team to use the containment defensive style.
  • Instructs the team to sit off* to a greater extent.
    • Compresses the player CLOSING DOWN slider for all players.
  • Instructs the team to use a deep line* to a slightly greater extent (depends on the defensive line and team closing down instructions used).
    • Compresses the team DEFENSIVE LINE slider slightly (depends on the defensive line and team closing down instructions used).

The more the slider is decreased, the more pronounced these effects are.

Player Attributes

Increasing the Slider

Players assigned defender and midfielder playing positions in particular:

  • Good 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)

Goalkeeper:

  • Good One On Ones, Rushing Out, Anticipation, Decisions, Acceleration, Agility, Pace.
  • Perhaps poor Aerial Ability, Command of Area, Handling.

Decreasing the Slider

Players assigned defender and midfielder playing positions in particular:

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

Goalkeeper:

  • Good Aerial Ability, Command of Area, Handling.
  • Perhaps poor One On Ones, Rushing Out, Anticipation, Decisions, Acceleration, Agility, Pace.

Use Tighter Marking

Game Description

Use Tighter Marking – will ask players to adopt a marking scheme in defensive situations where players are encouraged to stick particularly close to their assigned opponent in order to prevent them attacking the ball.

Use

Recommended use:

Effects

Selecting Use Tighter Marking:

  • Instructs the team to use tight marking to a greater extent.

Player Attributes

Players in defender and midfielder playing positions in particular:

  • 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)

Get Stuck In

Game Description

Get Stuck In – instructs players to be aggressive and strong in the tackle. This may increase the risk of fouls and disciplinary action

Use

Recommended use:

Effects

Selecting Get Stuck In:

  • Instructs the team to tackle to a greater extent.

Player Attributes

Players assigned defender and midfielder playing positions in particular:

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

Stay On Feet

Game Description

Stay On Feet – instructs players to stay on their feet when making tackles instead of going to ground.

Use

Recommended use:

Effects

Selecting Stay On Feet:

  • Instructs the team to hold off to a greater extent.

Player Attributes

Players assigned defender and midfielder playing positions in particular:

  • 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)

Pass Into Space

Game Description

Pass Into Space – instructs players to look to make passes into open spaces.

Use

Recommended use:

Effects

Selecting Pass Into Space:

  • Instructs the team to make risky passes to a greater extent.

Player Attributes

Sitting and supporting players (who are not instructed to Get Further Forward) in particular:
  • Good creativity (Anticipation, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork, Vision)
  • Good passing ability (Passing, Technique)
Offensive players (who are instructed to Get Further Forward) in particular:
  • Good movement (Anticipation, Decisions, Teamwork)
  • Good mobility (Acceleration, Agility, Balance, Pace)
  • Good off the ball movement (Off The Ball)

Team Passing Directness

Game Description

Go Route One – instructs players to look to get the ball into the attacking third with increased urgency.

More Direct Passing – instructs players to adopt a style of play based around quicker transition from back to front, with the ball covering long distances in a quicker amount of time.

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 – instructs players to adopt a style of play based around shorter passes and greater ball retention.

Use

Increasing the Slider

Recommended use:

Decreasing the Slider

Recommended use:

Effects

Increasing the Slider

Increasing the team PASSING DIRECTNESS slider, e.g. to More Direct Passing or Go Route One:

  • Instructs the team to use the direct plays attacking style.
  • Instructs the team to make long passes* to a greater extent.
    • Expands the player PASSING DIRECTNESS slider for all players.
  • Instructs the team to use wide positioning* to a slightly greater extent (Go Route One being an exception).
    • Expands the team WIDTH slider slightly (Go Route One uses the same team width as Mixed Passing).
  • Instructs the team to use high tempo play* to a slightly greater extent (Go Route One being a slight exception).
    • Expands the team TEMPO slider slightly (Go Route One uses the same team tempo as Mixed Passing when using Higher Tempo).

The more the slider is increased, the more pronounced these effects are.

Decreasing the Slider

Decreasing the team PASSING DIRECTNESS slider, e.g. to Shorter Passing:

  • Instructs the team to use the short plays attacking style.
  • Instructs the team to make short passes* to a greater extent.
    • Compresses the player PASSING DIRECTNESS slider for all players.
  • Instructs the team to use narrow positioning* to a slightly greater extent.
    • Compresses the team WIDTH slider slightly.
  • Instructs the team to use low tempo play* to a slightly greater extent.
    • Compresses the team TEMPO slider slightly.

The more the slider is decreased, the more pronounced these effects are.

Player Attributes

Increasing the Slider

Players who play in midfield and attack in particular:

  • Good endeavour (Aggression, Bravery, Work Rate)
  • Good physical presence (Balance, Strength)
  • Good aerial presence (Jumping Reach)
  • Good mobility (Acceleration, Agility, Balance, Pace)
  • 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 control (First Touch, Technique)
  • Perhaps poor passing ability (Passing, Technique)

At least one player assigned a centre forward playing position:

  • Good physical presence (Strength)
  • Good aerial presence (Jumping Reach)
  • Decent control (First Touch)
  • Good hold-up play.

Decreasing the Slider

Players who play in midfield and attack in particular:

  • Good creativity (Anticipation, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork, Vision)
  • Good movement (Anticipation, Decisions, Teamwork)
  • Good off the ball movement (Off The Ball)
  • Good control (First Touch, Technique)
  • Good passing ability (Passing, Technique)
  • Perhaps poor endeavour (Aggression, Bravery, Work Rate)
  • Perhaps poor physical presence (Balance, Strength)
  • Perhaps poor aerial presence (Jumping Reach)
  • Perhaps poor mobility (Acceleration, Agility, Balance, Pace)

Be More Expressive

Game Description

Be More Expressive – will allow more creative players the freedom to play the game with additional vision and flair outside of the confines of a team’s tactical setup.

Use

Recommended use:

Effects

Selecting Be More Expressive:

  • Instructs the team to use creative freedom to a greater extent.

Player Attributes

Players who play in midfield and attack in particular:

  • Good creativity (Anticipation, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork, Vision)
  • Good control (First Touch, Technique)
  • Good passing ability (Passing, Technique)
  • Good dribbling ability (Dribbling, Technique)
  • Good shooting ability (Finishing, Long Shots, Technique)

Be More Disciplined

Game Description

Be More Disciplined – will ask players to play as part of a robust and focused tactical shape in order to make the team a strong collective group. It may come at the expense of some individual expression.

Use

Recommended use:

Effects

Selecting Be More Disciplined:

  • Instructs the team to use tactical discipline to a greater extent.

Player Attributes

Players who play in midfield and attack in particular:

  • Perhaps poor creativity (Anticipation, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork, Vision)
  • Perhaps poor control (First Touch, Technique)
  • Perhaps poor passing ability (Passing, Technique)
  • Perhaps poor dribbling ability (Dribbling, Technique)
  • Perhaps poor shooting ability (Finishing, Long Shots, Technique)

Shoot On Sight

Game Description

Shoot On Sight – instructs players to shoot when the opportunity arises instead of waiting for a more clear-cut opening.

Use

Recommended use:

Effects

Selecting Shoot On Sight:

  • Instructs the team to take speculative shots to a greater extent.

Player Attributes

Players who play in central midfield and central attack in particular:

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

Work Ball Into Box

Game Description

Work Ball Into Box – instructs players to work hard for their opening, remaining patient and not forcing the issue but rather retaining the ball until the breakthrough occurs.

Use

Recommended use:

Effects

Selecting Work Ball Into Box:

  • Instructs the team to refrain from crosses to a greater extent.
    • Assumed.
  • Instructs the team to refrain from shots to a greater extent.
    • Assumed.

Player Attributes

Players who play in central midfield and central attack in particular:

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

Players who play on the flanks:

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

Float Crosses

Game Description

Float Crosses – will instruct players to get more height on the delivery into the penalty area with the intention of finding a player who has a height advantage over their marker or giving time for a player with good movement to find space for a free header.

Use

Recommended use:

  • Instructing how crosses* should be made.

Effects

Selecting Float Crosses:

  • Instructs players who are assigned wide playing positions to float crosses high to a greater extent when making crosses.

Player Attributes

Players who play on the flanks:

  • Perhaps poor awareness (Anticipation, Teamwork, Vision)
  • Perhaps poor decision making (Decisions, Flair, Teamwork)
  • Perhaps poor crossing ability (Crossing, Passing, Technique)

Players who play in central attack:

  • Good endeavour (Aggression, Bravery, Determination, Work Rate)
  • Good physical presence (Strength)
  • Good aerial presence (Jumping Reach)
  • Good heading ability (Heading)
  • Perhaps poor movement (Anticipation, Decisions, Teamwork)
  • Perhaps poor mobility (Acceleration, Agility, Balance, Pace)
  • Perhaps poor off the ball movement (Off The Ball)

Whipped Crosses

Game Description

Whipped Crosses – will instruct players to deliver balls into the box with pace, swerve and dip in order to make it as hard as possible for defenders to deal with them.

Use

Recommended use:

  • Instructing how crosses* should be made.

Effects

Selecting Whipped Crosses:

  • Instructs players who are assigned wide playing positions to whip crosses to a greater extent when making crosses.

Player Attributes

Players who play on the flanks:

  • Good awareness (Anticipation, Teamwork, Vision)
  • Good decision making (Decisions, Flair, Teamwork)
  • Good crossing ability (Crossing, Passing, Technique)

Players who play in central attack:

  • Good movement (Anticipation, Decisions, Teamwork)
  • Good mobility (Acceleration, Agility, Balance, Pace)
  • Good off the ball movement (Off The Ball)
  • Good heading ability (Heading, Technique)

Low Crosses

Game Description

Low Crosses – will instruct players to deliver balls into the box closer to ground. This approach will largely benefit forwards that perhaps lack size but are instead quicker off the mark and can lose their defender in a small area of space.

Use

Recommended use:

  • Instructing how crosses* should be made.

Effects

Selecting Low Crosses:

  • Instructs players who are assigned wide playing positions to drill crosses to a greater extent when making crosses.

Player Attributes

Players who play on the flanks:

  • Perhaps poor awareness (Anticipation, Teamwork, Vision)
  • Perhaps poor decision making (Decisions, Flair, Teamwork)
  • Perhaps poor crossing ability (Crossing, Passing, Technique)

Players who play in central attack:

  • Good movement (Anticipation, Decisions, Teamwork)
  • Good mobility (Acceleration, Agility, Balance, Pace)
  • Good off the ball movement (Off The Ball)
  • Good control (First Touch, Technique)
  • Perhaps poor physical presence (Strength)
  • Perhaps poor aerial presence (Jumping Reach)
  • Perhaps poor heading ability (Heading, Technique)

Run At Defence

Game Description

Run At Defence – instructs players to run at the opposition more than tactics allow by default.

Use

Recommended use:

Effects

Selecting Run At Defence:

  • Instructs the team to make direct dribbles to a greater extent.

Player Attributes

Players who play in midfield and attack in particular:

  • 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

Game Description

Dribble Less – instructs players to adopt a pass-first mentality rather than retain possession and dribble their way into attacking situations.

Use

Recommended use:

Effects

Selecting Dribble Less:

  • Instructs the team to refrain from dribbles to a greater extent.

Player Attributes

Players who play in midfield and attack in particular:

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

Stick To Positions

Game Description

Stick To Positions – will ask players to stick to their primary duties in their assigned position and doesn’t allow for fluidity of movement.

Use

Recommended use:

Effects

Selecting Stick To Positions:

  • Instructs the team to make disciplined movement to a greater extent.

Player Attributes

Players who play in midfield and attack in particular:

  • Perhaps poor creativity (Anticipation, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork, Vision)
  • Perhaps poor movement (Anticipation, Decisions, Teamwork)
  • Perhaps poor off the ball movement (Off The Ball)

Roam From Positions

Game Description

Roam From Positions – will allow players to be more creative and fluid with their positional locations on the pitch. It demands sufficient tactical awareness for one player to understand where he must fill in should another roam elsewhere.

Use

Recommended use:

Effects

Selecting Roam From Positions:

  • Instructs the team to make roaming movement to a greater extent.

Player Attributes

Players who play in midfield and attack in particular:

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