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Strategic Team Instructions

The analysis of strategic team instructions includes all team instructions for which the main recommended use is implementing match strategies.

Standard team instructions are analysed separately.

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

Take A Breather

Take A Breather is only available when using the control, standard, counter, defensive or contain team mentality instructions.

Game Description

Take A Breather – instructs players to keep hold of the ball and simply take a moment to recover physically before attacking again.

Use

Recommended use:

It is not recommended to use Take A Breather to implement team-based style methods* as its use of sitting back would hinder playing style balance*.

Effects

Selecting Take A Breather:

  • Instructs the team to sit back* to a greater extent.
    • Assumed.
  • Instructs the team to use low tempo play* to a greater extent.
    • Compresses the team TEMPO slider (Normal Tempo only).

Play Even Safer

Play Even Safer is only available when using the contain team mentality.

Game Description

Play Even Safer – will instruct players to play with safety the foremost of their concerns, perhaps to protect a lead for a certain period of time.

Use

Recommended use:

It is not recommended to use Play Even Safer to implement team-based style methods* as it can only be used with the contain team mentality and its use of sitting back would hinder playing style balance*.

Effects

Selecting Play Even Safer:

  • Instructs the team to sit back* to a greater extent.
    • Assumed.
  • Instructs the team to make safe passes* to a greater extent.
    • Assumed.

Take More Risks

Take More Risks is only available when using the overload team mentality.

Game Description

Take More Risks – will instruct players to take whatever risks are necessary in order to mount an attack or score a goal.

Use

Recommended use:

It is not recommended to use Take More Risks to implement team-based style methods* as it can only be used with the overload team mentality and its use of forward runs would hinder playing style balance*.

Effects

Selecting Take More Risks:

  • Instructs the team to make forward runs* to a greater extent.
    • Assumed.
  • Instructs the team to make risky passes* to a greater extent.
    • Assumed.

Player Attributes

Waste Time

Waste Time is only available when using the defensive team mentality (it is also selected automatically when using the contain team mentality).

Game Description

Waste Time – will instructs your players to waste time whenever possible.

Use

Recommended use:

Effects

Selecting Waste Time:

  • Instructs the team to use time wasting* to a greater extent.
    • Increases the team TIME WASTING bar.

Prevent Short GK Distribution

Game Description

Prevent Short GK Distribution – instructs forward to press the opposition defence to try to prevent the goalkeeper building from the back. This should force the goalkeeper to play long or take big risks to distribute short.

Use

Recommended use:

  • Implementing a match strategy that focuses on trying to restrict space* in advanced areas around the opposition goalkeeper …
    • … In order to exploit an opposition team weakness regarding aerial presence and strength in more advanced areas by encouraging the opposition goalkeeper to make long passes* towards these areas.
    • … In order to counter an opposition team strength regarding passing ability and intelligence in deeper areas by encouraging the opposition goalkeeper to make long passes that bypass these areas.

It is not recommended to use Prevent Short GK Distribution to implement team-based style methods* as its use of man marking would hinder playing style balance*.

Effects

Selecting Prevent Short GK Distribution:

  • Instructs players who are assigned wing forward or centre forward playing positions* to use man marking* against opposition defenders when the opposition goalkeeper has the ball.
    • Assumed.

Clear Ball To Flanks

Game Description

Clear Ball To Flanks – instructs players to look to make their clearances into wider areas to be picked up by attacking players.

Use

Recommended use:

  • Implementing a match strategy that focuses on trying to keep possession* away from more threatening areas* (from the perspective of the opposition team) to a very large extent when preventing the opposition team scoring a goal* is a high priority.

It is not recommended to use Clear Ball To Flanks to implement team-based style methods* as it only implements long passes for particular players and its use of long passes and safe passes can hinder playing system balance* by making it difficult to achieve an appropriate responsibility distribution*.

Effects

Selecting Clear Ball To Flanks:

  • Instructs players who are assigned particular deeper playing positions to make long passes* to a greater extent.
    • Expands the player PASSING DIRECTNESS slider (when using the Mixed Passing or Shorter Passing team passing directness instructions only) for players in sweeper, centre back, full back, wing back or defensive midfielder playing positions. Expands the team PASSING DIRECTNESS slider (Mixed Passing and Shorter Passing only).
  • Instructs players who are assigned particular deeper playing positions to make safe passes* to a greater extent.
    • Assumed.
  • Instructs players who are assigned particular deeper playing positions to focus play* to players who are in wider areas to a greater extent.
    • Assumed.

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)
  • Perhaps poor control (First Touch, Technique)
  • Perhaps poor passing ability (Passing, Technique)

Players assigned advanced wide playing positions, if wanted to receive the ball and use hold-up play:

Players assigned advanced wide playing positions, if wanted to chase the ball.

  • Good endeavour (Aggression, Bravery, Work Rate)
  • Good mobility (Acceleration, Agility, Balance, Pace)

Pump Ball Into Box

Game Description

Pump Ball Into Box – instructs players to launch high, long-range passes into the opposition’s penalty area.

Use

Recommended use:

It is not recommended to use Pump Ball Into Box to implement team-based style methods* as its use of forward runs can hinder playing system balance* by making it difficult to achieve effective forward movement partnerships*.

Effects

Selecting Pump Ball Into Box:

  • Instructs players who are assigned central attacker playing positions to make forward runs* to a greater extent.
    • Assumed.
  • Instructs most players who are not assigned central attacker playing positions to make long passes* to a greater extent.
    • Expands the player PASSING DIRECTNESS slider (when using the Mixed Passing or Shorter Passing team passing directness instructions only) for players not in attacking midfielder or centre forward playing positions, with the exception of players with a few particular roles. Expands the team PASSING DIRECTNESS slider (does not show on team PASSING DIRECTNESS slider)
  • Instructs the team to make risky passes* to a greater extent.
    • Assumed.
  • Instructs the team to make crosses* to a greater extent.
    • Assumed.

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)
  • Perhaps poor control (First Touch, Technique)
  • Perhaps poor passing ability (Passing, Technique)

Players who play in 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)

At least one player assigned a central attacker playing position:

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

Exploit The Left/Right Flank

Game Description

Exploit The Left/Right Flank – encourages a more intense attacking mentality on the left/right side of the pitch.

Use

Recommended use:

It can also be used to implement crosses* and focusing play* as team-based style methods*.

Effects

Selecting Exploit The Left/Right Flank:

  • Instructs players who are assigned left-sided/right-sided deep wide playing positions to make forward runs* to a greater extent.
    • Assumed.
  • Instructs the team to make crosses to a greater extent.
    • Assumed.
  • Instructs the team to focus play to players who are in left-sided/right-sided wider areas to a greater extent.
    • Assumed.
  • Instructs players who are assigned left-sided/right-sided deep wide playing positions to use a high risk mentality* to a greater extent.
    • Increases the player mentality bar for players in left-sided/right-sided full back or wing back playing positions.

Player Attributes

Players assigned central playing positions:

Players assigned left-sided/right-sided wide playing positions:

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

Exploit The Middle

Game Description

Exploit The Middle – encourages a more intense attacking mentality in central areas of the pitch.

Use

Recommended use:

  • Implementing a match strategy that focuses on trying to create space* and penetrate space* by using overloads in central areas in order to exploit an opposition team weakness regarding defensive or physical abilities in central areas.

It is not recommended to use Exploit The Middle to implement team-based style methods* as its use of forward runs, sitting back and risky passes can hinder playing system balance* by making it difficult to achieve effective forward movement partnerships* and an appropriate responsibility distribution*.

Effects

Selecting Exploit The Middle:

  • Instructs players who are assigned more advanced central playing positions to make forward runs* to a greater extent.
    • Assumed.
  • Instructs players who are assigned advanced wide playing positions to sit back* to a greater extent.
    • Assumed.
  • Instructs players who are instructed to play in deeper central playing positions to make risky passes* to a greater extent.
    • Assumed.
  • Instructs the team to focus play* to players who are in central areas to a greater extent.
    • Assumed.
  • Instructs players who are instructed to play in deeper central playing positions to use a high risk mentality* to a greater extent.
    • Increases the player mentality bar for players in sweeper, centre back or defensive midfielder playing positions, and players in a centre midfielder playing position with a defend duty.

Player Attributes

Players instructed to play in deeper central playing positions:

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

Players assigned more advanced central playing positions:

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

Players assigned wide playing positions:

  • Perhaps poor intelligence and attacking abilities

Players assigned advanced wide playing positions:

  • 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)

Play Out Of Defence

Game Description

Play Out Of Defence – encourages defenders to pass their way out from the back rather than clear the ball long.

Use

Recommended use:

  • Implementing a match strategy that focuses on trying to keep possession* until the ball is moved to players in more advanced playing positions in order to counter opposition team tactics that involve the use of a low defensive block* by facilitating more direct penetration* from players in more advanced playing positions.

It is not recommended to use Play Out Of Defence to implement team-based style methods* as its use of short passes would hinder playing system balance* by hindering the performance of playing safe* in central defence.

Effects

Selecting Play Out Of Defence:

  • Instructs players who are assigned particular deeper playing positions to make short passes* to a greater extent.
    • Compresses the player PASSING DIRECTNESS slider for players in sweeper, centre back, full back, wing back or defensive midfielder playing positions. Compresses the team PASSING DIRECTNESS slider slightly.

Player Attributes

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

  • Good focus (Composure, Concentration)
  • Decent awareness (Anticipation, Teamwork)
  • Decent decision making (Decisions, Teamwork)
  • Perhaps poor creativity (Flair, Vision)

Players assigned more advanced playing positions:

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

Retain Possession

Game Description

Retain Possession – instructs players to prioritise keeping hold of the ball.

Use

Recommended use:

It can also be used to implement short passes*, safe passes* and low tempo play* as team-based style methods*. If it is used for this purpose then it is not necessary to also set the team PASSING DIRECTNESS slider to Shorter Passing and doing so may implement short passes to too great an extent.

Effects

Selecting Retain Possession:

  • Instructs the team to make short passes to a greater extent.
    • Compresses the player PASSING DIRECTNESS slider for all players. Restricts the team PASSING DIRECTNESS slider to Mixed Passing or Shorter Passing. Compresses the team PASSING DIRECTNESS slider (Mixed Passing and Shorter Passing only).
  • Instructs the team to make safe passes to a greater extent.
    • Assumed.
  • Instructs the team to use low tempo play to a greater extent.
    • Compresses the team TEMPO slider.

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 physical presence (Balance, Strength)
  • Perhaps poor aerial ability (Jumping Reach)
  • Perhaps poor mobility (Acceleration, Agility, Balance, Pace)
  • Perhaps poor off the ball movement (Off The Ball)
  • Perhaps poor control (First Touch, Technique)
  • Perhaps poor passing ability (Passing, Technique)

Hit Early Crosses

Game Description

Hit Early Crosses – instructs players to get into the penalty area with early crosses as soon as they receive the ball in a position to do so.

Use

Recommended use:

  • Implementing a match strategy that focuses on penetrating space* to a very large extent …
    • … When scoring a goal* is a high priority.
    • … By exploiting an opposition team weakness regarding aerial presence or heading ability in central defence.
    • … In order to counter an opposition team strength regarding defensive or physical abilities on the deep wing halves*.

It is not recommended to use Hit Early Crosses to implement team-based style methods* as its use of refraining from dribbles would hinder playing system balance* by hindering the performance of stretching play* and creating chances* on the flanks.

Effects

Selecting Hit Early Crosses:

  • Instructs the team to make crosses* to a greater extent.
  • Instructs players who are assigned wide playing positions to refrain from dribbles* to a greater extent.
    • Assumed.

Player Attributes

Players assigned wide playing positions:

  • 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)

Look For Overlap

Game Description

Look For Overlap – instructs players to hold onto the ball and look for an overlapping player in support, most like a marauding full back.

Use

Recommended use:

Look For Overlap cannot be used to implement team-based style methods* as it does not implement any particular playing method* to a sufficient extent.

Effects

Selecting Look For Overlap:

  • Instructs players who are assigned deep wide playing positions to make forward runs* to a greater extent.
    • Assumed.
  • Instructs players who are assigned advanced wide playing positions to sit back* to a greater extent.
    • Assumed.
  • Instructs players who are assigned advanced wide playing positions to refrain from dribbles* to a greater extent.
    • Assumed.
  • Instructs players who are assigned advanced wide playing positions to use hold-up play* to a greater extent.
    • Assumed.
  • Instructs players who are assigned deep wide playing positions to use a high risk mentality* to a greater extent.
    • Increases the player mentality bar for players in full back or wing back playing positions.
  • Instructs players who are assigned advanced wide playing positions to use a low risk mentality* to a greater extent.
    • Decreases the player mentality bar for players in wing midfielder or wing forward playing positions.

Player Attributes

Players assigned deep wide playing positions:

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

Players assigned advanced wide playing positions:

  • Perhaps poor creativity (Anticipation, Decisions, Flair)
  • Perhaps poor mobility (Acceleration, Agility, Balance, Pace)
  • Perhaps poor off the ball movement (Off The Ball)
  • Perhaps poor dribbling ability (Dribbling, Technique)

Look For Underlap

Game Description

Look For Underlap – instructs players to hold onto the ball and, rather than waiting for a player to arrive from deep with an overlapping run, instead look to a teammate making a run inside and beyond them.

Use

Recommended use:

Look For Underlap cannot be used to implement team-based style methods* as it does not implement any particular playing method* to a sufficient extent.

Effects

Selecting Look For Underlap:

  • Instructs players who are assigned deep wide playing positions to make forward runs* to a greater extent.
    • Assumed.
  • Instructs players who are assigned advanced wide playing positions to sit back* to a greater extent.
    • Assumed.
  • Instructs players who are assigned deep wide playing positions to make runs into channels* to a greater extent.
    • Assumed.
  • Instructs players who are assigned advanced wide playing positions to refrain from dribbles* to a greater extent.
    • Assumed.
  • Instructs players who are assigned advanced wide playing positions to use hold-up play* to a greater extent.
    • Assumed.
  • Instructs players who are assigned deep wide playing positions to use a high risk mentality* to a greater extent.
    • Increases the player mentality bar for players in full back or wing back playing positions.
  • Instructs players who are assigned advanced wide playing positions to use a low risk mentality* to a greater extent.
    • Decreases the player mentality bar for players in wing midfielder or wing forward playing positions.

Player Attributes

Players assigned deep wide playing positions and central midfield playing positions:

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

Players assigned advanced wide playing positions:

  • Perhaps poor creativity (Anticipation, Decisions, Flair)
  • Perhaps poor mobility (Acceleration, Agility, Balance, Pace)
  • Perhaps poor off the ball movement (Off The Ball)
  • Perhaps poor dribbling ability (Dribbling, Technique)