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System Fluidity

As detailed in the tactical theory System Fluidity* guide, a team’s system fluidity refers to the extent to which the team’s playing system* enables players to share positional responsibilities*. Playing systems can be more structured*, more fluid* or flexible*.

System fluidity can be implemented by using team shape instructions.

It is recommended that you take your team’s system fluidity into account later when customising your playing style and achieving playing system balance.

Appropriate team shape instructions for implementing different levels of system fluidity (including more structured playing systems, more fluid playing systems and flexible playing systems) are suggested below, along with suitable approaches to playing style customisation and playing system balance.

Example tactics for different system fluidity levels are provided in the Example Tactics article.

Choosing System Fluidity

You should choose a system fluidity level according to your personal preferences and player suitability*.

Suggested player attributes are provided for team shape instructions in the Team Instructions (Standard) guide. This information can be used to work out how suitable your players are for different system fluidity levels.

System Fluidity Levels

More Structured Playing Systems

A more structured playing system enables players to share positional responsibilities* to a lesser extent.

Requirements

  • Structured or Highly Structured team shape

Playing Style Customisation

For each style method* added, implement as:

Full details of how to customise playing styles by adding style methods, including how to take into account system fluidity, are provided in the Playing Styles guide.

Playing System Balance

Focus levels for each player role and duty are given in the Player Roles and Duties guide. A summary of focus levels for each player role and duty is also provided below.

Full details of how to achieve playing system balance by assigning tactical roles, including how to take into account system fluidity, are provided in the Playing System Balance guides.

More Fluid Playing Systems

A more fluid playing system enables players to share positional responsibilities* to a greater extent.

Requirements

  • Fluid or Very Fluid team shape

Playing Style Customisation

For each style method* added, implement as:

Full details of how to customise playing styles by adding style methods, including how to take into account system fluidity, are provided in the Playing Styles guide.

Playing System Balance

Focus levels for each player role and duty are given in the Player Roles and Duties guide. A summary of focus levels for each player role and duty is also provided below.

Full details of how to achieve playing system balance by assigning tactical roles, including how to take into account system fluidity, are provided in the Playing System Balance guides.

Flexible Playing Systems

A flexible playing system enables players to share positional responsibilities* to a moderate extent.

Requirements

  • Flexible team shape

Playing Style Customisation

For each style method* added, implement as either:

Full details of how to customise playing styles by adding style methods, including how to take into account system fluidity, are provided in the Playing Styles guide.

Playing System Balance

Focus levels for each player role and duty are given in the Player Roles and Duties guide. A summary of focus levels for each player role and duty is also provided below.

Full details of how to achieve playing system balance by assigning tactical roles, including how to take into account system fluidity, are provided in the Playing System Balance guides.

Summary of Focus Levels

As per the Player Roles and Duties guide, the focus levels* for each player role and duty, ordered from higher focus levels (more focused tactical roles*) to lower focus levels (more generalist tactical roles*), are as follows:

5.5

  • Ball Winning Midfielder (DM/CM Defend)
  • Inverted Wing Back (FB/WB Attack)
  • Wide Playmaker (WM Attack)

5.0

  • Defensive Centre Back (CB Stopper/Cover)
  • Anchor Man (DM Defend)
  • Defensive Full Back (FB Defend)
  • Trequartista (AM/CF Attack)
  • Complete Forward (CF Attack)

4.5

  • Inverted Wing Back (FB/WB Defend)
  • Trequartista (WF Attack)
  • Raumdeuter (WF Attack)
  • Advanced Playmaker (AM Support)

4.0

  • Sweeper (SW Defend)
  • Libero (SW Attack)
  • Ball Playing Defender (CB Stopper/Cover)
  • Defensive Centre Back (CB Defend)
  • Mezzala (Off-Centre CM Attack)
  • Complete Wing Back (FB/WB Support/Attack)
  • Wide Playmaker (WM Support)
  • Advanced Playmaker (WF Attack)
  • Shadow Striker (AM Attack)
  • Defensive Forward (CF Defend)

3.5

  • Deep Lying Playmaker (DM Defend/Support)
  • Half Back (DM Defend)
  • Advanced Playmaker (CM/AM Attack / WF Support)
  • Defensive Winger (WM Defend)
  • Complete Forward (CF Support)

3.0

  • Libero (SW Support)
  • Central Defender (CB Stopper/Cover)
  • Ball Playing Defender (CB Defend)
  • Deep Lying Playmaker (CM Defend/Support)
  • Advanced Playmaker (CM Support)
  • Mezzala (Off-Centre CM Support)
  • Inverted Wing Back (FB/WB Support)
  • Winger (WM/WF Attack)
  • False Nine (CF Support)

2.5

  • Ball Winning Midfielder (DM/CM Support)
  • Regista (DM Support)
  • Roaming Playmaker (CM Support)
  • Full Back (FB Defend)
  • Wing Back (FB/WB Defend/Attack)
  • Wide Midfielder (WM Defend)
  • Inverted Winger (WM Attack)
  • Inside Forward (WF Support/Attack)
  • Wide Target Man (WF Support)
  • Enganche (AM Attack)
  • Advanced Forward (CF Attack)
  • Poacher (CF Attack)
  • Defensive Forward (CF Support)

2.0

  • Central Defender (CB Defend)
  • Defensive Midfielder (DM Defend)
  • Roaming Playmaker (DM Support)
  • Segundo Volante (Off-Centre DM Attack)
  • Full Back (FB Attack)
  • Winger (WM/WF Support)
  • Defensive Winger (WM Support)
  • Wide Target Man (WF Attack)
  • Deep Lying Forward (CF Attack)
  • Target Man (CF Attack)

1.5

  • Central Midfielder (CM Defend)
  • Box To Box Midfielder (CM Support)
  • Wing Back (FB/WB Support)
  • Wide Midfielder (WM Attack)
  • Inverted Winger (WM Support)
  • Attacking Midfielder (AM Attack)
  • Deep Lying Forward (CF Support)

1.0

  • Central Midfielder (CM Attack)
  • Target Man (CF Support)

0.5

  • Defensive Midfielder (DM Support)
  • Segundo Volante (Off-Centre DM Support)
  • Carrilero (Off-Centre CM Support)
  • Full Back (FB Support)
  • Wide Midfielder (WM Support)
  • Attacking Midfielder (AM Support)

0.0

  • Central Midfielder (CM Support)