Example Tactics

Example tactics for different playing styles that were created using this guide are detailed below.

If you wish to choose a suitable example tactic for your team then you can assess your players with reference to the suggested attributes that are detailed in the Tactical Instructions section for those tactical instructions used in the example.

Attacking Football

Structured Attacking Football – Overlapping Full Backs / Ball Winning Midfielder / Trequartista (WF)

Team mentality: Control – to implement the attacking football core style

Team shape: Structured – to implement a more structured playing system – style methods are therefore implemented mainly using tactical roles

Other team instructions:

• Use Offside Trap – to implement the stepping up style method

Formation type: 4-3-3

Formation name: 4-1-2-3 DM – formation score* 1.00

Player roles and duties (including focus levels and key tactical roles):

• GK: Sweeper Keeper (GK Support)

• D: Holding CB – 4.0 – Ball Playing Defender (RCB Stopper) – orthodox, stopper central defender

• D: Holding CB – 3.0 – Central Defender (LCB Cover) – orthodox, covering, safe-playing central defender

• D: Offensive FB – 2.5 – Full Back (FB Attack) – attacking, shielding wide creator

• D: Offensive FB – 2.5 – Full Back (FB Attack) – attacking, shielding wide creator

• M: Holding DM – 4.0 – Deep Lying Playmaker (CDM Defend) – covering central midfield creator

• M: Supporting CM – 2.5 – Ball Winning Midfielder (RCM Support) – pressing, number-eight central midfield water-carrier – auxiliary pressuring wide player

• M: Offensive CM – 3.5 – Central Midfielder (LCM Attack) – number-eight central midfielder – auxiliary number-ten central attack runner, goal-scorer

• A: Supporting WF – 4.5 – Trequartista (RWF Attack) – wide creator – auxiliary number-ten central attack runner, goal-scorer

• A: Supporting WF – 2.5 – Inside Forward (LWF Support) – pressuring wide player – auxiliary central attack runner, goal-scorer

• A: Offensive CF – 2.5 – Advanced Forward (CCF Attack) – number-nine, pressuring, spearhead central attack goal-scorer

Focus levels and the recommended minimum number of key tactical roles are shown in italics.

Key tactical roles are not shown where a player would be atypical or vacating.

Other player instructions:

• 2 Full Backs (FB Attack)
  • Dribble More – to implement the direct dribbles style method and on the ball high risk overlapping partnerships* with the wing forwards

• Deep Lying Playmaker (DM Defend)
  • Close Down Less – to make him a restrained central midfielder more focused on providing defensive cover who can counterbalance the Ball Winning Midfielder more effectively

• Central Midfielder (CM Attack)
  • Roam From Position – to implement the roaming movement style method
  • Dribble More – to implement the direct dribbles style method and on the ball high risk overlapping partnerships with the wing forwards
  • More Risky Passes – to implement the risky passes style method

• Inside Forward (WF Support)
  • Shoot More Often – to implement the speculative shots style method

Off the ball forward movement partnerships:

• Central midfield – direct (1 high risk, 1 low risk)

• The flanks – overlapping (2 high risk)

• Central attack – direct (2 high risk, 1 overloading), overlapping (2 high risk)

Overlapping partnerships are used as the attacking football core style is being implemented.

Penetration score: moderate (1.10) – suitable for high and low relative overall ability teams

Solidity score: low (1.00) – more suitable for high relative overall ability teams

Support score: moderate (1.17)

Number-tens:

• Technical – Central Midfielder (CM Attack), Trequartista (WF Attack)

• Atypical technical – Inside Forward (WF Support)

Technical number-tens are used as the attacking football core style is being implemented.

Symmetry: no wide and off-centre central defenders or central midfielders

Counterbalancing combinations:

• Central defence
  • Restrained central defender / stopper central defender
    • Central Defender (CB Cover) / Ball Playing Defender (CB Stopper)

• Central midfield
  • Restrained central midfielder / pressing central midfielder
    • Deep Lying Playmaker (DM Defend) / Ball Winning Midfielder (CM Support) + Central Midfielder (CM Attack)
  • Number-eight central midfielder / restrained central midfielder + withdrawn central midfielder
    • Central Midfielder (CM Attack) / Deep Lying Playmaker (DM Defend) + Ball Winning Midfielder (CM Support)

Style methods:

• High risk mentality <= Control team mentality

• Direct dribbles <= 2 Full Backs (FB Attack), Central Midfielder (CM Attack), Trequartista (WF Attack), Inside Forward (WF Support), Advanced Forward (CF Attack)
  • Contrary (refraining from dribbles) <= Central Defender (CB Cover) – the use of six dribbling players means that the team overall still makes direct dribbles to a greater extent

• Risky passes <= Sweeper Keeper (GK Support), Ball Playing Defender (CB Stopper), Central Midfielder (CM Attack), Trequartista (WF Attack), Inside Forward (WF Support)

• Stepping up <= Use Offside Trap

• Creative freedom <= Ball Playing Defender (CB Stopper), Deep Lying Playmaker (DM Defend), Trequartista (WF Attack)
  • Contrary (tactical discipline) <= Ball Winning Midfielder (CM Support) – the use of three creative players means that the team overall still uses creative freedom to a greater extent

• Lateral dribbles <= Inside Forward (WF Support)

• Crosses <= 2 Full Backs (FB Attack)
  • Contrary (refraining from crosses) <= Inside Forward (WF Support) – this player refrains from crosses in order to make lateral dribbles to a greater extent, and the use of two crossers means that the team overall still makes crosses to a greater extent

• Roaming movement / runs into channels / drifting movement <= Central Midfielder (CM Attack), Trequartista (WF Attack), Advanced Forward (CF Attack)
  • Contrary (disciplined movement) <= Ball Playing Defender (CB Stopper), Central Defender (CB Cover), Deep Lying Playmaker (DM Defend) – these players make disciplined movement in order to act as covering players*, and the use of three roaming/channel-running players means that the team overall still makes roaming movement and runs into channels to an average extent

• Tackling <= Ball Winning Midfielder (CM Support)
  • Contrary (holding off) <= Trequartista (WF Attack) – the use of one hard-tackling player means that the team overall still tackles to an average extent

• Crosses from deep – not implemented

• Tight marking – not implemented

• Speculative shots <= Inside Forward (LWF Support)
  • Contrary (refraining from shots) <= Central Defender (CB Cover), Deep Lying Playmaker (DM Defend) – these players generally remain too far from the opposition team’s goal to take speculative shots, and the use of one shot-taking player means that the team overall still takes speculative shots to an average extent

The style methods listed are those suggested for the attacking football core style.

Structured Attacking Football – Roaming Playmaker / False Nine / Shadow Striker

Team mentality: Control – to implement the attacking football core style

Team shape: Structured – to implement a more structured playing system – style methods are therefore implemented mainly using tactical roles

Other team instructions:

• Use Offside Trap – to implement the stepping up style method

Formation type: 4-2-4

Formation name: 4-1-1-3-1 DM/AM (asymmetric central midfield) – formation score* 1.07 – this is a fairly advanced formation so applies even greater defensive pressure* to the opposition team’s deeper players

Player roles and duties (including focus levels and key tactical roles):

• GK: Sweeper Keeper (GK Support)

• D: Holding CB – 4.0 – Ball Playing Defender (RCB Stopper) – orthodox, stopper central defender

• D: Holding CB – 3.0 – Central Defender (LCB Cover) – orthodox, covering, safe-playing central defender

• D: Offensive FB – 2.5 – Full Back (RB Attack) – attacking, shielding wide creator

• D: Offensive FB – 2.0 – Wing Back (LB Support) – attacking, shielding wide creator

• M: Holding DM – 5.0 – Anchor Man (RDM Defend) – covering central midfield water-carrier

• M: Supporting CM – 4.0 – Roaming Playmaker (LCM Support) – pressing, number-eight central midfield creator – auxiliary number-ten central attacker

• A: Supporting WF – 2.0 – Winger (RWF Support) – pressuring wide creator

• A: Offensive AM – 4.0 – Shadow Striker (CAM Attack) – number-nine, pressuring central attack goal-scorer

• A: Offensive WF – 2.5 – Inside Forward (LWF Attack) – pressuring wide player – auxiliary number-nine central attack goal-scorer

• A: False-nine* – 3.0 – False Nine (CCF Support) – number-ten, pressuring, spearhead central attack runner

Focus levels and the recommended minimum number of key tactical roles are shown in italics.

Key tactical roles are not shown where a player would be atypical or vacating.

Other player instructions:

• Full Back (FB Attack)
  • Dribble More – to implement the direct dribbles style method and an on the ball high risk overlapping partnership* with the Winger

• Wing Back (FB Support)
  • Dribble More – to implement the direct dribbles style method

• Roaming Playmaker (CM Support)
  • Mark Tighter – to implement the tight marking style method and make him a pressing central midfielder more focused on applying defensive pressure who can counterbalance the Anchor Man more effectively
  • More Risky Passes – to implement the risky passes style method

Off the ball forward movement partnerships:

• Central midfield – direct (1 low risk)

• The flanks – direct (1 overloading), overlapping (1 high risk)

• Central attack – direct (2 high risk, 1 indistinct overloading), overlapping (2 high risk)

Overlapping partnerships are used as the attacking football core style is being implemented.

Penetration score: moderate (1.10) – suitable for high and low relative overall ability teams

Solidity score: low (1.00) – more suitable for high relative overall ability teams

Support score: moderate (1.08)

Number-tens:

• Technical – Roaming Playmaker (CM Support), False Nine (CF Support)

Technical number-tens are used as the attacking football core style is being implemented.

Symmetry: no wide and off-centre central defenders or central midfielders

Counterbalancing combinations:

• Central defence
  • Restrained central defender / stopper central defender
    • Central Defender (CB Cover) / Ball Playing Defender (CB Stopper)

• Central midfield
  • Restrained central midfielder / pressing central midfielder
    • Anchor Man (DM Defend) / Roaming Playmaker (CM Support)
  • Number-eight central midfielder / restrained central midfielder
    • Roaming Playmaker (CM Support) / Anchor Man (DM Defend)

Style methods:

• High risk mentality <= Control team mentality

• Direct dribbles <= Full Back (FB Attack), Wing Back (FB Support), Roaming Playmaker (CM Support), Winger (WF Support), Shadow Striker (AM Attack), Inside Forward (WF Attack)

• Risky passes <= Sweeper Keeper (GK Support), Ball Playing Defender (CB Stopper), Roaming Playmaker (CM Support), Shadow Striker (AM Attack), False Nine (CF Support)
  • Contrary (safe passes) <= Anchor Man (DM Defend) – the use of five ball-playing players means that the team overall still makes risky passes to a greater extent

• Stepping up <= Use Offside Trap

• Creative freedom <= Roaming Playmaker (CM Support), False Nine (CF Support)

• Crosses <= Full Back (FB Attack), Winger (WF Support)
  • Contrary (refraining from crosses) <= Inside Forward (WF Attack) – this player refrains from crosses in order to make lateral dribbles to a greater extent, and the use of two crossers means that the team overall still makes crosses to a greater extent

• Tight marking <= Roaming Playmaker (CM Support)

• Roaming movement / runs into channels / drifting movement <= Roaming Playmaker (CM Support), Shadow Striker (AM Attack), False Nine (CF Support)
  • Contrary (disciplined movement) <= Ball Playing Defender (CB Stopper), Central Defender (CB Cover), Anchor Man (DM Defend) – these players make disciplined movement in order to act as covering players*, and the use of three roaming/channel-running players means that the team overall still makes roaming movement and runs into channels to an average extent

• Lateral dribbles <= Inside Forward (WF Attack)
  • Contrary (disciplined dribbles) <= Winger (WF Support) – the use of one inverted wide player means that the team overall still makes lateral dribbles to an average extent

• Crosses from deep – not implemented

• Tackling – not implemented

• Speculative shots – not implemented
  • Contrary (refraining from shots) <= Central Defender (CB Cover), Anchor Man (DM Defend) – these players generally remain too far from the opposition team’s goal to take speculative shots

The style methods listed are those suggested for the attacking football core style.

Fluid Attacking Football

Team mentality: Control – to implement the attacking football core style

Team shape: Fluid – to implement a more fluid playing system – style methods are therefore implemented mainly using team instructions

Other team instructions:

• Use Offside Trap – to implement the stepping up style method
• Pass Into Space – to implement the risky passes style method
• Run At Defence – to implement the direct dribbles style method
• Roam From Positions – to implement the roaming movement style method

Formation type: 3-4-3

Formation name: 3-4-3 – formation score* 1.07 – this is a fairly advanced formation so applies even greater defensive pressure* to the opposition team’s deeper players

Player roles and duties (including focus levels and key tactical roles):

• GK: Goalkeeper (GK Defend)

• D: Holding CB – 2.0 – Central Defender (CCB Defend) – orthodox, covering, safe-playing, stopper central defender

• D: Holding CB – 2.0 – Central Defender (Wide and Off-Centre CB Defend) – orthodox, covering, safe-playing, stopper central defender

• D: Holding CB – 2.0 – Central Defender (Wide and Off-Centre CB Defend) – orthodox, covering, safe-playing, stopper central defender

• M: Offensive WB – 2.0 – Wing Back (WB Support) – attacking, shielding wide creator

• M: Offensive WB – 2.0 – Wing Back (WB Support) – attacking, shielding wide creator

• M: Holding CM – 1.5 – Central Midfielder (Off-Centre CM Defend) – covering, pressing central midfield water-carrier, creator

• M: Supporting CM – 0.0 – Central Midfielder (Off-Centre CM Support) – pressing, number-eight central midfield water-carrier, creator

• A: Offensive WF – 2.5 – Inside Forward (WF Attack) – pressuring wide player – auxiliary number-nine central attack goal-scorer

• A: Offensive WF – 2.5 – Inside Forward (WF Attack) – pressuring wide player – auxiliary number-nine central attack goal-scorer

• A: Supporting CF – 1.5 – Deep Lying Forward (CCF Support) – number-ten, pressuring, spearhead central attack runner

Focus levels and the recommended minimum number of key tactical roles are shown in italics.

Key tactical roles are not shown where a player would be atypical or vacating.

Other player instructions:

• 2 Wing Backs (WB Support)
  • Cross From Deep – to implement the crosses from deep style method
  • Cross More Often – to implement the crosses style method

Off the ball forward movement partnerships:

• Central midfield – direct (1 low risk)

• The flanks – direct (2 overloading)

• Central attack – direct (2 high risk), overlapping (2 high risk)

Overlapping partnerships are used as the attacking football core style is being implemented.

Penetration score: high (1.20) – more suitable for high relative overall ability teams

Solidity score: moderate (1.06) – suitable for high and low relative overall ability teams

Support score: moderate (1.17)

Number-tens:

• Technical and target-man – Deep Lying Forward (CF Support)

A technical number-ten is used as the attacking football core style is being implemented.

Symmetry:

• Central defence
  • Covering central defenders – CCB achieves symmetry
  • Stopper central defenders – CCB achieves symmetry

• Central midfield – no wide and off-centre central midfielders

Counterbalancing combinations: none

Style methods:

• High risk mentality <= Control team mentality

• Risky passes <= Pass Into Space

• Direct dribbles <= Run At Defence, 2 Inside Forwards (WF Attack)
  • Contrary (refraining from dribbles) <= 3 Central Defenders (CB Defend) – the use of Run At Defence and two dribbling players means that the team overall still makes direct dribbles to a greater extent

• Roaming movement / runs into channels / drifting movement <= Roam From Positions
  • Contrary (disciplined movement) <= 3 Central Defenders (CB Defend), Central Midfielder (CM Defend) – these players make disciplined movement in order to act as covering players*, and the use of Roam From Positions means that the team overall still makes roaming movement to a greater extent

• Stepping up <= Use Offside Trap

• Lateral dribbles <= 2 Inside Forwards (WF Attack)

• Crosses from deep <= 2 Wing Backs (WB Support)

• Crosses <= 2 Wing Backs (WB Support)
  • Contrary (refraining from crosses) <= 2 Inside Forwards (WF Attack) – these players refrain from crosses in order to make lateral dribbles to a greater extent, and the use of two crossers means that the team overall still makes crosses to an average extent

• Creative freedom – not implemented

• Tight marking – not implemented

• Tackling – not implemented

• Speculative shots – not implemented
  • Contrary (refraining from shots) <= 3 Central Defenders (CB Defend) – these players generally remain too far from the opposition team’s goal to take speculative shots

The style methods listed are those suggested for the attacking football core style.

Counter Attacking Football

Structured Counter Attacking Football – Raumdeuter

Team mentality: Counter – to implement the defensive football core style and increase the use of counter attacking*

Team shape: Structured – to implement a more structured playing system – style methods are therefore implemented mainly using tactical roles

Other team instructions: none

Formation type: 4-3-3

Formation name: 4-1-2-3 DM – formation score* 1.00

Player roles and duties (including focus levels and key tactical roles):

• GK: Goalkeeper (GK Defend)

• D: Holding CB – 4.5 – Defensive Centre Back (RCB Stopper) – orthodox, safe-playing, stopper central defender

• D: Holding CB – 4.5 – Defensive Centre Back (LCB Cover) – orthodox, covering, safe-playing central defender

• D: Offensive FB – 1.5 – Wing Back (FB Support) – attacking, shielding wide creator

• D: Offensive FB – 1.5 – Wing Back (FB Support) – attacking, shielding wide creator

• M: Holding DM – 5.0 – Anchor Man (CDM Defend) – covering central midfield water-carrier

• M: Holding CM – 3.0 – Deep Lying Playmaker (RCM Support) – covering, pressing, central midfield creator

• M: Supporting CM – 0.0 – Central Midfielder (LCM Support) – pressing, number-eight central midfield water-carrier, creator

• A: Offensive WF – 4.5 – Raumdeuter (RWF Attack) – pressuring wide player – auxiliary number-nine, pressuring central attack goal-scorer

• A: Offensive WF – 3.0 – Winger (LWF Attack) – attacking, pressuring wide creator

• A: Supporting CF – 1.5 – Deep Lying Forward (CCF Support) – number-ten, pressuring, spearhead central attack runner

Focus levels and the recommended minimum number of key tactical roles are shown in italics.

Key tactical roles are not shown where a player would be atypical or vacating.

Other player instructions: none

Off the ball forward movement partnerships:

• Central midfield – direct (2 low risk)

• The flanks – direct (2 overloading)

• Central attack – direct (1 high risk), overlapping (1 high risk)

Direct partnerships are used as the defensive football core style is being implemented.

Penetration score: low (1.00) – more suitable for low relative overall ability teams

Solidity score: high (1.13) – more suitable for low relative overall ability teams

Support score: moderate (1.08)

Number-tens:

• Technical and target-man – Deep Lying Forward (CF Support)

A target-man is used as the defensive football core style is being implemented.

Symmetry: no wide and off-centre central defenders or central midfielders

Counterbalancing combinations:

• Central defence
  • Restrained central defender / stopper central defender
    • Defensive Centre Back (CB Cover) / Defensive Centre Back (CB Stopper)

• Central midfield
  • Restrained central midfielder / pressing central midfielder
    • Anchor Man (DM Defend) / Deep Lying Playmaker (CM Support) + Central Midfielder (CM Support)

Style methods:

• Low risk mentality <= Counter team mentality

• Refraining from shots <= 2 Defensive Centre Backs (CB Defend), Anchor Man (DM Defend), Deep Lying Playmaker (CM Support)

• Disciplined movement <= 2 Defensive Centre Backs (CB Stopper/Cover), Anchor Man (DM Defend), Deep Lying Playmaker (CM Support)
  • Contrary (roaming movement / runs into channels) <= Raumdeuter (WF Attack) – the use of four disciplined-running players means that the team overall still makes disciplined movement to a greater extent

• Refraining from dribbles <= 2 Defensive Centre Backs (CB Stopper/Cover), Anchor Man (DM Defend)
  • Contrary (direct dribbles) <= Winger (WF Attack) – the direct dribbles made by this player tend to be disciplined dribbles made in order to make crosses from byline, and the use of three restricted-dribbling players means that the team overall still refrains from dribbles to a greater extent

• Safe passes <= 2 Defensive Centre Backs (CB Stopper/Cover), Anchor Man (DM Defend)
  • Contrary (risky passes) <= Deep Lying Forward (CF Support) – the use of three safe-passing players means that the team overall still makes safe passes to a greater extent

• Disciplined dribbles <= Winger (WF Attack)

• Crosses from byline <= Winger (WF Attack)

• Tactical discipline <= 2 Defensive Centre Backs (CB Stopper/Cover)
  • Contrary (creative freedom) <= Deep Lying Playmaker (CM Support) – the use of two disciplined players means that the team overall still uses tactical discipline to a greater extent

• Refraining from crosses <= Raumdeuter (WF Attack)
  • Contrary (crosses) <= Winger (WF Attack) – the crosses made by this player tend to be crosses from byline, and the use of one restricted-crossing player means that the team overall still refrains from crosses to an average extent

• Stepping back – not implemented

• Loose marking – not implemented

• Holding off – not implemented

The style methods listed are those suggested for the defensive football core style.

Fluid Counter Attacking Football

Team mentality: Counter – to implement the defensive football core style and increase the use of counter attacking*.

Team shape: Fluid – to implement a more fluid playing system – style methods are therefore implemented mainly using team instructions

Other team instructions:

• Be More Disciplined – to implement the tactical discipline style method
• Stick To Positions – to implement the disciplined movement style method

Formation type: 3-5-2

Formation name: 3-1-4-1-1 DM – formation score* 0.93 – this is a fairly deep formation so enables an even greater use of counter attacking* to exploit available space behind opposition team players

Player roles and duties (including focus levels and key tactical roles):

• GK: Goalkeeper (GK Defend)

• D: Holding CB – 2.0 – Central Defender (CCB Defend) – orthodox, covering, safe-playing, stopper central defender

• D: Holding CB – 2.0 – Central Defender (Off-Centre CB Defend) – orthodox, covering, safe-playing, stopper central defender

• D: Holding CB – 2.0 – Central Defender (Off-Centre CB Defend) – orthodox, covering, safe-playing, stopper central defender

• M: Holding DM – 3.0 – Defensive Midfielder (CDM Defend) – covering central midfield water-carrier

• M: Offensive WB – 2.5 – Wing Back (RWB Attack) – attacking, shielding wide creator

• M: Offensive WB – 1.5 – Wing Back (LWB Support) – attacking, shielding wide creator

• M: Supporting CM – 1.0 – Central Midfielder (Wide RCM Support) – pressing, number-eight central midfield water-carrier, creator – auxiliary pressuring wide creator

• M: Offensive CM – 2.0 – Central Midfielder (Wide LCM Attack) – number-eight central midfielder – auxiliary central attack runner, goal-scorer – auxiliary pressuring wide creator

• A: Supporting AM – 0.5 – Attacking Midfielder (CAM Support) – pressuring central attack runner, goal-scorer

• A: Offensive CF – 2.0 – Deep Lying Forward (CCF Attack) – number-nine, number-ten, pressuring, spearhead central attacker

Focus levels and the recommended minimum number of key tactical roles are shown in italics.

Key tactical roles are not shown where a player would be atypical or vacating.

Other player instructions:

• Defensive Midfielder (DM Defend)
  • Close Down Less (or use Anchor Man if not possible) – to make him a restrained central midfielder more focused on providing defensive cover who can counterbalance the Central Midfielders more effectively

• 2 Central Midfielders (CM Support/Attack)
  • Close Down More – to make them auxiliary pressuring wide players as no other such tactical roles are used

Off the ball forward movement partnerships:

• Central midfield – direct (1 high risk, 1 low risk)

• The flanks – direct (1 overloading), overlapping (1 high risk)

• Central attack – direct (1 high risk, 1 overloading), overlapping (1 high risk)

Direct partnerships are used as the defensive football core style is being implemented.

Penetration score: moderate (1.10) – suitable for high and low relative overall ability teams

Solidity score: high (1.13) – more suitable for low relative overall ability teams

Support score: moderate (1.17)

Number-tens:

• Target-man – Deep Lying Forward (CF Attack)

A target-man is used as the defensive football core style is being implemented.

Symmetry:

• Central defence
  • Covering central defenders – CCB achieves symmetry
  • Stopper central defenders – CCB achieves symmetry

• Central midfield
  • Covering central midfielders – CDM achieves symmetry
  • Pressing central midfielders – Wide RCM and Wide LCM achieve symmetry, although the LCM is a vacating player (this is explained as a vacating players special case*)
  • Number-eight central midfielders – Wide RCM and Wide LCM achieve symmetry

Counterbalancing combinations:

• Central midfield
  • Restrained central midfielder / pressing central midfielder
    • Defensive Midfielder (DM Defend) / 2 Central Midfielders (CM Support/Attack)

Style methods:

• Low risk mentality <= Counter team mentality

• Disciplined movement <= Stick To Positions, 3 Central Defenders (CB Defend), Defensive Midfielder (DM Defend)
  • Contrary (runs into channels) <= Deep Lying Forward (CF Attack) – the use of Stick To Positions and four disciplined-running players means that the team overall still makes disciplined movement to a greater extent

• Tactical discipline <= Be More Disciplined

• Refraining from dribbles <= 3 Central Defenders (CB Defend), Defensive Midfielder (DM Defend)
  • Contrary (direct dribbles) <= Wing Back (WB Attack) – the direct dribbles made by this player tend to be disciplined dribbles made in order to make crosses from byline, and the use of four restricted-dribbling players means that the team overall still refrains from dribbles to a greater extent

• Refraining from shots <= 3 Central Defenders (CB Defend)

• Disciplined dribbles <= Wing Back (WB Attack)

• Crosses from byline <= Wing Back (WB Attack)

• Safe passes – not implemented

• Stepping back – not implemented

• Loose marking – not implemented

• Holding off – not implemented

• Refraining from crosses – not implemented
  • Contrary (crosses) <= Wing Back (WB Attack) – the crosses made by this player tend to be crosses from byline, and the team overall still refrains from crosses to an average extent

The style methods listed are those suggested for the defensive football core style.

Flexible Counter Attacking Football

Team mentality: Counter – to implement the defensive football core style and increase the use of counter attacking*.

Team shape: Flexible – to implement a flexible playing system – style methods are therefore implemented using a mixture of team instructions and tactical roles

Other team instructions:

• Be More Disciplined – to implement the tactical discipline style method
• Stick To Positions – to implement the disciplined movement style method

Formation type: 4-5-1

Formation name: 4-1-4-1 DM – formation score* 0.87 – this is a very deep formation so enables an even greater use of counter attacking* to exploit available space behind opposition team players

Player roles and duties (including focus levels and key tactical roles):

• GK: Goalkeeper (GK Defend)

• D: Holding CB – 2.0 – Central Defender (Off-Centre CB Defend) – orthodox, covering, safe-playing, stopper central defender

• D: Holding CB – 2.0 – Central Defender (Off-Centre CB Defend) – orthodox, covering, safe-playing, stopper central defender

• D: Supporting FB – 1.5 – Full Back (FB Support) – shielding wide player

• D: Supporting FB – 1.5 – Full Back (FB Support) – shielding wide player

• M: Holding DM – 5.0 – Anchor Man (CDM Defend) – covering central midfield water-carrier

• M: Supporting CM – 0.0 – Central Midfielder (Off-Centre CM Support) – pressing, number-eight central midfield water-carrier, creator

• M: Offensive CM – 1.0 – Central Midfielder (Off-Centre CM Attack) – number-eight central midfielder – auxiliary central attack runner, goal-scorer

• M: Offensive WM – 3.0 – Winger (WM Attack) – attacking, pressuring wide creator

• M: Offensive WM – 3.0 – Winger (WM Attack) – attacking, pressuring wide creator

• A: Offensive CF – 2.0 – Deep Lying Forward (CCF Attack) – number-nine, number-ten, pressuring, spearhead central attacker

Focus levels and the recommended minimum number of key tactical roles are shown in italics.

Key tactical roles are not shown where a player would be atypical or vacating.

Other player instructions:

• 2 Full Backs (FB Support)
  • Cross Less Often – to implement the refraining from crosses style method and indirectly decrease the use of crosses from deep (since the Cross From Deep player instruction cannot be deselected)

Off the ball forward movement partnerships:

• Central midfield – direct (1 high risk, 1 low risk)

• The flanks – direct (2 high risk)

• Central attack – direct (1 overloading)

Direct partnerships are used as the defensive football core style is being implemented.

Penetration score: moderate (1.10) – suitable for high and low relative overall ability teams

Solidity score: high (1.13) – more suitable for low relative overall ability teams

Support score: low (1.00)

Number-tens:

• Target-man – Deep Lying Forward (CF Attack)

A target-man is used as the defensive football core style is being implemented.

Symmetry: no wide and off-centre central defenders or central midfielders

Counterbalancing combinations:

• Central midfield
  • Restrained central midfielder / pressing central midfielder
    • Anchor Man (DM Defend) / 2 Central Midfielders (CM Support/Attack)
  • Number-eight central midfielder / restrained central midfielder + withdrawn central midfielder
    • Central Midfielder (CM Attack) / Anchor Man (DM Defend) + Central Midfielder (CM Support)

Style methods:

• Low risk mentality <= Counter team mentality

• Disciplined movement <= Stick To Positions, 2 Central Defenders (CB Defend), Anchor Man (DM Defend)
  • Contrary (runs into channels) <= Deep Lying Forward (CF Attack) – the use of Stick To Positions and three disciplined-running players means that the team overall still makes disciplined movement to a greater extent

• Tactical discipline <= Be More Disciplined

• Refraining from shots <= 2 Central Defenders (CB Defend), Anchor Man (DM Defend)

• Disciplined dribbles <= 2 Wingers (WM Attack)

• Crosses from byline <= 2 Wingers (WM Attack)

• Refraining from dribbles <= 2 Central Defenders (CB Defend), Anchor Man (DM Defend)
  • Contrary (direct dribbles) <= 2 Wingers (WM Attack) – the direct dribbles made by these players tend to be disciplined dribbles made in order to make crosses from byline, and the use of three restricted-dribbling players means that the team overall still refrains from dribbles to a greater extent

• Safe passes <= Anchor Man (DM Defend)

• Refraining from crosses <= 2 Full Backs (FB Support)
  • Contrary (crosses) <= 2 Wingers (WM Attack) – the crosses made by these players tend to be crosses from byline, and the use of two restricted-crossing players means that the team overall still refrains from crosses to an average extent

• Stepping back – not implemented

• Loose marking – not implemented

• Holding off – not implemented

The style methods listed are those suggested for the defensive football core style.

Direct Plays

Flexible Direct Plays

Team mentality: Standard – to implement no core style

Team shape: Flexible – to implement a flexible playing system – style methods are therefore implemented using a mixture of team instructions and tactical roles

Other team instructions:

• More Direct Passing – to implement the direct plays attacking style

• Be More Disciplined – to implement the tactical discipline style method
• Stick To Positions – to implement the disciplined movement style method

Formation type: 4-4-2

Formation name: 4-4-1-1 AM (asymmetric central attack) – formation score* 1.00 – uses two central attacker playing positions as long passes are focused to a target-man*

Player roles and duties (including focus levels and key tactical roles):

• GK: Goalkeeper (GK Defend)

• D: Holding CB – 3.0 – Central Defender (Off-Centre CB Defend) – orthodox, covering, safe-playing, stopper central defender

• D: Holding CB – 3.0 – Central Defender (Off-Centre CB Defend) – orthodox, covering, safe-playing, stopper central defender

• D: Supporting FB – 0.5 – Full Back (FB Support) – shielding wide creator

• D: Supporting FB – 0.5 – Full Back (FB Support) – shielding wide creator

• M: Holding CM – 2.5 – Central Midfielder (RCM Defend) – covering, pressing central midfield water-carrier

• M: Supporting CM – 0.0 – Central Midfielder (LCM Support) – pressing, number-eight central midfield water-carrier, creator

• M: Offensive WM – 2.5 – Wide Midfielder (WM Attack) – attacking, pressuring wide creator

• M: Offensive WM – 2.5 – Wide Midfielder (WM Attack) – attacking, pressuring wide creator

• A: Supporting AM – 1.0 – Attacking Midfielder (RAM Support) – pressuring central attack runner, goal-scorer

• A: Offensive CF – 5.0 – Complete Forward (LCF Attack) – number-nine, number-ten, pressuring, spearhead central attacker

Focus levels and the recommended minimum number of key tactical roles are shown in italics.

Key tactical roles are not shown where a player would be atypical or vacating.

Other player instructions:

• 2 Central Defenders (CB Defend)
  • Fewer Risky Passes – to implement the safe passes style method

• Central Midfielder (CM Defend)
  • Fewer Risky Passes – to implement the safe passes style method

• 2 Wide Midfielders (WM Attack)
  • Run Wide With Ball – to implement the disciplined dribbles style method
  • Dribble More – to implement the direct dribbles style method and on the ball high risk direct partnerships* with the Full Backs
  • Cross More Often – to implement the crosses style method

• Attacking Midfielder (AM Support)
  • Dribble More – to implement the direct dribbles style method and an on the ball overloading partnership* with the Complete Forward

Off the ball forward movement partnerships:

• Central midfield – direct (1 low risk)

• The flanks – direct (2 high risk)

• Central attack – direct (1 high risk)

Direct partnerships are used as the direct plays attacking style is being implemented.

Penetration score: moderate (1.10) – suitable for high and low relative overall ability teams

Solidity score: moderate (1.06) – suitable for high and low relative overall ability teams

Support score: moderate (1.08) – above the recommended minimum for direct plays

Number-tens:

• Target-man – Complete Forward (CF Attack)

A target-man is used as the direct plays attacking style is being implemented.

Symmetry: no wide and off-centre central defenders or central midfielders

Counterbalancing combinations: none

Style methods:

• Long passes <= More Direct Passing

• Disciplined movement <= Stick To Positions, 2 Central Defenders (CB Defend), Central Midfielder (CM Defend)
  • Contrary (roaming movement / runs into channels) <= Complete Forward (CF Attack) – the use of Stick To Positions and three disciplined-running players means that the team overall still makes disciplined movement to a greater extent

• Tactical discipline <= Be More Disciplined
  • Contrary (creative freedom) <= Complete Forward (CF Attack) – the use of Be More Disciplined means that the team overall still uses tactical discipline to a greater extent

• Direct dribbles <= 2 Wide Midfielders (WM Attack), Attacking Midfielder (AM Support), Complete Forward (CF Attack)
  • Contrary (refraining from dribbles) <= 2 Central Defenders (CB Defend) – the use of four dribbling players means that the team overall still makes direct dribbles to a greater extent

• Disciplined dribbles <= 2 Wide Midfielders (WM Attack)

• Safe passes <= 2 Central Defenders (CB Defend), Central Midfielder (CM Defend)
  • Contrary (risky passes) <= Complete Forward (CF Attack) – the use of three safe-passing players means that the team overall still makes safe passes to a greater extent

• Crosses <= 2 Wide Midfielders (WM Attack)

• Crosses from deep <= 2 Full Backs (FB Support)

• Speculative shots – not implemented

The style methods listed are those suggested for the direct plays attacking style.

Short Plays

Flexible Short Plays

Team mentality: Standard – to implement no core style

Team shape: Flexible – to implement a flexible playing system – style methods are therefore implemented using a mixture of team instructions and tactical roles

Other team instructions:

• Shorter Passing – to implement the short plays attacking style

• Dribble Less – to implement the refraining from dribbles style method
• Roam From Positions – to implement the roaming movement style method

Formation type: 3-4-3

Formation name: 3-4-3 – formation score* 1.07 – this is a fairly advanced formation so applies greater defensive pressure* to the opposition team’s deeper players

Player roles and duties (including focus levels and key tactical roles):

• GK: Goalkeeper (GK Defend)

• D: Holding CB – 4.0 – Ball Playing Defender (CCB Cover) – orthodox, covering central defender

• D: Holding CB – 3.0 – Central Defender (Wide and Off-Centre CB Stopper) – orthodox, safe-playing, stopper central defender

• D: Holding CB – 3.0 – Central Defender (Wide and Off-Centre CB Stopper) – orthodox, safe-playing, stopper central defender

• M: Offensive WB – 2.5 – Wing Back (WB Attack) – attacking, shielding wide creator

• M: Offensive WB – 2.5 – Wing Back (WB Attack) – attacking, shielding wide creator

• M: Holding CM – 3.0 – Deep Lying Playmaker (RCM Defend) – covering central midfield creator

• M: Supporting CM – 0.0 – Central Midfielder (LCM Support) – pressing, number-eight central midfield water-carrier, creator

• A: Supporting WF – 2.5 – Inside Forward (RWF Support) – pressuring wide player – auxiliary number-ten central attack runner, goal-scorer

• A: Supporting WF – 3.5 – Advanced Playmaker (LWF Support) – pressuring wide player – auxiliary number-ten central attack runner

• A: Offensive CF – 2.5 – Advanced Forward (CCF Attack) – number-nine, pressuring, spearhead central attack goal-scorer

Focus levels and the recommended minimum number of key tactical roles are shown in italics.

Key tactical roles are not shown where a player would be atypical or vacating.

Other player instructions: none

Off the ball forward movement partnerships:

• Central midfield – direct (1 low risk)

• The flanks – overlapping (2 high risk)

• Central attack – direct (2 high risk)

Overlapping partnerships are used as the short plays attacking style is being implemented.

Penetration score: moderate (1.10) – suitable for high and low relative overall ability teams

Solidity score: moderate (1.06) – suitable for high and low relative overall ability teams

Support score: high (1.25) – above the recommended minimum for short plays

Number-tens:

• Technical – Inside Forward (WF Support), Advanced Playmaker (WF Support)

Technical number-tens are used as the short plays attacking style is being implemented.

Symmetry:

• Central defence
  • Covering central defenders – CCB achieves symmetry
  • Stopper central defenders – Wide RCB and Wide LCB achieve symmetry

• Central midfield – no wide and off-centre central midfielders

Counterbalancing combinations:

• Central defence
  • Restrained central defender / stopper central defender
    • Ball Playing Defender (CB Cover) / 2 Central Defenders (CB Stopper)

Style methods:

• Short passes <= Shorter Passing

• Refraining from dribbles <= Dribble Less, 2 Central Defenders (CB Stopper)
  • Contrary (direct dribbles) <= 2 Wing Backs (WB Attack), Inside Forward (WF Support), Advanced Forward (CF Attack) – the direct dribbles made by the Wing Backs tend to be disciplined dribbles made in order to make crosses from byline, the direct dribbles made by the Inside Forward tend to be lateral dribbles, and the use of Dribble Less and two restricted-dribbling players means that the team overall still refrains from dribbles to a greater extent

• Roaming movement / runs into channels / drifting movement <= Roam From Positions, Advanced Forward (CF Attack)
  • Contrary (disciplined movement) <= 2 Central Defenders (CB Stopper), Ball Playing Defender (CB Cover), Deep Lying Playmaker (CM Defend) – these players make disciplined movement in order to act as covering players*, and the use of Roam From Positions and one channel-running player means that the team overall still makes roaming movement and runs into channels to a greater extent

• Refraining from shots <= 2 Central Defenders (CB Stopper), Deep Lying Playmaker (CM Defend), Advanced Playmaker (WF Support)

• Risky passes <= Ball Playing Defender (CB Cover), Inside Forward (WF Support), Advanced Playmaker (WF Support)

• Creative freedom <= Ball Playing Defender (CB Cover), Deep Lying Playmaker (CM Defend), Advanced Playmaker (WF Support)

• Crosses from byline <= 2 Wing Backs (WB Attack)

• Lateral dribbles <= Inside Forward (WF Support), Advanced Playmaker (WF Support)
  • Contrary (disciplined dribbles) <= 2 Wing Backs (WB Attack) – these players make disciplined dribbles in order to make crosses from byline, and the use of two inverted wide players means that the team overall still makes lateral dribbles to an average extent

• Refraining from crosses <= Inside Forward (WF Support), Advanced Playmaker (WF Support)
  • Contrary (crosses) <= 2 Wing Backs (WB Attack) – the crosses made by these players tend to be crosses from byline, and the use of two restricted-crossing players means that the team overall still refrains from crosses to an average extent

The style methods listed are those suggested for the short plays attacking style.

Direct Attacking Football

Structured Direct Attacking Football – Defensive Winger / Inverted Winger

Team mentality: Control – to implement the attacking football core style

Team shape: Structured – to implement a more structured playing system – style methods are therefore implemented mainly using tactical roles

Other team instructions:

• More Direct Passing – to implement the direct plays attacking style

• Use Offside Trap – to implement the stepping up style method

Formation type: 4-4-2

Formation name: 4-4-2 – formation score* 1.07 – this is a fairly advanced formation so applies even greater defensive pressure* to the opposition team’s deeper players – uses two central attacker playing positions as long passes are focused to a target-man*

Player roles and duties (including focus levels and key tactical roles):

• GK: Goalkeeper (GK Defend)

• D: Holding CB – 3.0 – Central Defender (RCB Stopper) – orthodox, safe-playing, stopper central defender

• D: Holding CB – 3.0 – Central Defender (LCB Cover) – orthodox, covering, safe-playing central defender

• D: Offensive FB – 2.0 – Full Back (RB Attack) – attacking, shielding wide creator

• D: Offensive FB – 2.5 – Full Back (LB Attack) – attacking, shielding wide creator

• M: Holding CM – 4.0 – Deep Lying Playmaker (RCM Defend) – covering central midfield creator

• M: Supporting CM – 2.5 – Ball Winning Midfielder (LCM Support) – pressing, number-eight central midfield water-carrier – auxiliary pressuring wide player

• M: Supporting WM – 2.0 – Defensive Winger (RM Support) – pressuring wide creator – auxiliary pressing central midfielder

• M: Offensive WM – 2.5 – Inverted Winger (LM Attack) – pressuring wide player – auxiliary number-eight central midfield creator – auxiliary central attack runner, goal-scorer

• A: Supporting CF – 3.5 – Complete Forward (RCF Support) – number-ten, pressuring, spearhead central attack runner

• A: Offensive CF – 2.5 – Advanced Forward (LCF Attack) – number-nine, pressuring, spearhead central attack goal-scorer

Focus levels and the recommended minimum number of key tactical roles are shown in italics.

Key tactical roles are not shown where a player would be atypical or vacating.

Other player instructions:

• Full Back (LB Attack)
  • Run Wide With Ball – to implement the disciplined dribbles style method
  • Dribble More – to implement the direct dribbles style method and an on the ball overloading partnership* with the Inverted Winger

• Deep Lying Playmaker (CM Defend)
  • Close Down Less – to make him a restrained central midfielder more focused on providing defensive cover who can counterbalance the Ball Winning Midfielder more effectively

Off the ball forward movement partnerships:

• Central midfield – direct (1 high risk, 1 low risk)

• The flanks – direct (1 overloading), overlapping (1 high risk)

• Central attack – direct (1 high risk, 1 overloading), overlapping (1 high risk)

Overlapping partnerships are used as the attacking football core style is being implemented.

Direct partnerships are used as the direct plays attacking style is being implemented

Penetration score: moderate (1.10) – suitable for high and low relative overall ability teams

Solidity score: low (1.00) – more suitable for high relative overall ability teams

Support score: high (1.25) – above the recommended minimum for direct plays

Number-tens:

• Technical and target-man – Complete Forward (CF Support)

A technical number-ten is used as the attacking football core style is being implemented.

A target-man is used as the direct plays attacking style is being implemented.

Symmetry:

• Central defence – no wide and off-centre central defenders

• Central midfield – although there is an auxiliary wide LCM (the LM), positional responsibilities are distributed between the RCM and LCM, achieving symmetry

Counterbalancing combinations:

• Central defence
  • Restrained central defender / stopper central defender
    • Central Defender (CB Cover) / Central Defender (CB Stopper)

• Central midfield
  • Restrained central midfielder / pressing central midfielder
    • Deep Lying Playmaker (CM Defend) / Ball Winning Midfielder (CM Support) + Defensive Winger (WM Support)
  • Number-eight central midfielder / restrained central midfielder + withdrawn central midfielder
    • Inverted Winger (WM Attack) / Deep Lying Playmaker (CM Defend) + Ball Winning Midfielder (CM Support)

Style methods:

• High risk mentality <= Control team mentality

• Long passes <= More Direct Passing

• Stepping up <= Use Offside Trap

• Direct dribbles <= Full Back (LB Attack), Defensive Winger (WM Support), Inverted Winger (WM Attack), Complete Forward (CF Support), Advanced Forward (CF Attack)
  • Contrary (refraining from dribbles) <= 2 Central Defenders (CB Stopper/Cover) – the use of five dribbling players means that the team overall still makes direct dribbles to a greater extent

• Crosses <= 2 Full Backs (FB Attack)

• Tackling <= Ball Winning Midfielder (CM Support), Defensive Winger (WM Support)

• Roaming movement / runs into channels / drifting movement <= Complete Forward (CF Support), Advanced Forward (CF Attack)
• Disciplined movement <= 2 Central Defenders (CB Stopper/Cover), Deep Lying Playmaker (CM Defend)

• Risky passes <= Complete Forward (CF Support)
• Safe passes – not implemented

• Creative freedom <= Deep Lying Playmaker (CM Defend), Complete Forward (CF Support)
• Tactical discipline <= Ball Winning Midfielder (CM Support)

• Lateral dribbles <= Inverted Winger (WM Attack)
• Disciplined dribbles <= Full Back (LB Attack)

• Crosses from deep – not implemented

• Tight marking – not implemented

• Speculative shots – not implemented
  • Contrary (refraining from shots) <= 2 Central Defenders (CB Stopper/Cover), Deep Lying Playmaker – these players generally remain too far from the opposition team’s goal to take speculative shots

The style methods listed are those suggested for the direct attacking football composite style.

Fluid Direct Attacking Football – Attacking Down the Flanks

Team mentality: Control – to implement the attacking football core style

Team shape: Fluid – to implement a more fluid playing system – style methods are therefore implemented mainly using team instructions

Other team instructions:

• More Direct Passing – to implement the direct plays attacking style

• Use Offside Trap – to implement the stepping up style method
• Exploit The Left/Right Flank – to implement the crosses and focusing play style methods
• Run At Defence – to implement the direct dribbles style method

Formation type: 4-4-2

Formation name: 4-4-1-1 AM – formation score* 1.00 – uses wide partnerships so play can be focused to the flanks* – uses two central attacker playing positions as long passes are focused to a target-man*

Player roles and duties (including focus levels and key tactical roles):

• GK: Goalkeeper (GK Defend)

• D: Holding CB – 2.0 – Central Defender (Off-Centre CB Defend) – orthodox, covering, safe-playing, stopper central defender

• D: Holding CB – 2.0 – Central Defender (Off-Centre CB Defend) – orthodox, covering, safe-playing, stopper central defender

• D: Supporting FB – 0.5 – Full Back (FB Support) – shielding wide creator

• D: Supporting FB – 0.5 – Full Back (FB Support) – shielding wide creator

• M: Holding CM – 1.5 – Central Midfielder (Off-Centre CM Defend) – covering, pressing central midfield water-carrier, creator

• M: Supporting CM – 0.0 – Central Midfielder (Off-Centre CM Support) – pressing, number-eight central midfield water-carrier, creator

• M: Offensive WM – 1.5 – Wide Midfielder (WM Attack) – attacking, pressuring wide creator

• M: Offensive WM – 1.5 – Wide Midfielder (WM Attack) – attacking, pressuring wide creator

• A: Offensive AM – 1.5 – Attacking Midfielder (CAM Attack) – number-nine, pressuring central attack goal-scorer

• A: Supporting CF – 1.5 – Deep Lying Forward (CCF Support) – number-ten, pressuring, spearhead central attack runner

Focus levels and the recommended minimum number of key tactical roles are shown in italics.

Key tactical roles are not shown where a player would be atypical or vacating.

Other player instructions: none

Off the ball forward movement partnerships:

• Central midfield – direct (1 low risk)

• The flanks – direct (2 high risk)

• Central attack – direct (1 high risk), overlapping (1 high risk)

Overlapping partnerships are used as the attacking football core style is being implemented.

Direct partnerships are used as the direct plays attacking style is being implemented.

Penetration score: moderate (1.10) – suitable for high and low relative overall ability teams

Solidity score: moderate (1.06) – suitable for high and low relative overall ability teams

Support score: moderate (1.08) – above the recommended minimum for direct plays

Number-tens:

• Technical and target-man – Deep Lying Forward (CF Support)

A technical number-ten is used as the attacking football core style is being implemented.

A target-man is used as the direct plays attacking style is being implemented.

Symmetry: no wide and off-centre central defenders or central midfielders

Counterbalancing combinations: none

Style methods:

• High risk mentality <= Control team mentality

• Long passes <= More Direct Passing

• Direct dribbles <= Run At Defence
  • Contrary (refraining from dribbles) <= 2 Central Defenders (CB Defend) – the use of Run At Defence means that the team overall still makes direct dribbles to a greater extent

• Crosses (and focusing play) <= Exploit The Left/Right Flank

• Stepping up <= Use Offside Trap

• Roaming movement / runs into channels / drifting movement – not implemented
• Disciplined movement <= 2 Central Defenders (CB Defend), Central Midfielder (CM Defend)

• Crosses from deep <= 2 Full Backs (FB Support)

• Risky passes <= Deep Lying Forward (CF Support)
• Safe passes – not implemented

• Lateral dribbles – not implemented
• Disciplined dribbles – not implemented

• Creative freedom – not implemented
• Tactical discipline – not implemented

• Tight marking – not implemented

• Tackling – not implemented

• Speculative shots – not implemented
  • Contrary (refraining from shots) <= 2 Central Defenders (CB Defend) – these players generally remain too far from the opposition team’s goal to take speculative shots

The style methods listed are those suggested for the direct attacking football composite style.

Flexible Direct Attacking Football – Attacking Through the Middle – 2 Carrileros / Defensive Forward

Team mentality: Control – to implement the attacking football core style

Team shape: Flexible – to implement a flexible playing system – style methods are therefore implemented using a mixture of team instructions and tactical roles

Other team instructions:

• More Direct Passing – to implement the direct plays attacking style

• Use Offside Trap – to implement the stepping up style method
• Run At Defence – to implement the direct dribbles style method

Formation type: 4-3-3

Formation name: 4-1-2-1-2 DM/AM (narrow 4-4-2 diamond) – formation score* 1.07 – this is a fairly advanced formation so applies even greater defensive pressure* to the opposition team’s deeper players – uses three central attacker playing positions so play can be focused to central attack*

Player roles and duties (including focus levels and key tactical roles):

• GK: Goalkeeper (GK Defend)

• D: Holding CB – 2.0 – Central Defender (Off-Centre CB Defend) – orthodox, covering, safe-playing, stopper central defender

• D: Holding CB – 2.0 – Central Defender (Off-Centre CB Defend) – orthodox, covering, safe-playing, stopper central defender

• D: Offensive FB – 2.0 – Full Back (FB Attack) – attacking, shielding wide creator

• D: Offensive FB – 2.0 – Full Back (FB Attack) – attacking, shielding wide creator

• M: Holding DM – 3.0 – Defensive Midfielder (CDM Defend) – covering central midfield water-carrier

• M: Supporting CM – 1.5 – Carrilero (Wide and Off-Centre CM Support) – pressing, number-eight central midfield creator – auxiliary pressuring wide creator

• M: Supporting CM – 1.5 – Carrilero (Wide and Off-Centre CM Support) – pressing, number-eight central midfield creator – auxiliary pressuring wide creator

• A: Supporting AM – 1.5 – Attacking Midfielder (CAM Support) – number-ten, pressuring central attack runner, goal-scorer

• A: Supporting CF – 2.5 – Defensive Forward (Off-Centre CF Support) – pressuring central attack runner

• A: Offensive CF – 2.0 – Deep Lying Forward (Off-Centre CF Attack) – number-nine, number-ten, pressuring, spearhead central attacker

Focus levels and the recommended minimum number of key tactical roles are shown in italics.

Key tactical roles are not shown where a player would be atypical or vacating.

Other player instructions:

• 2 Full Backs (FB Attack)
  • Cross From Deep – to implement the crosses from deep style method

• Defensive Midfielder (DM Defend)
  • Close Down Less (or use Anchor Man if not possible) – to make him a restrained central midfielder more focused on providing attacking cover and defensive cover who can counterbalance the Carrileros more effectively

• 2 Carrileros (CM Support)
  • Close Down More – to make them auxiliary pressuring wide players as no other such tactical roles are used

• Attacking Midfielder (AM Support)
  • More Risky Passes – to implement the risky passes style method and assign a technical number-ten tactical role as no other such tactical role is used

Off the ball forward movement partnerships:

• Central midfield – direct (2 low risk)

• The flanks – overlapping (2 high risk)

• Central attack – direct (2 high risk)

Overlapping partnerships are used as the attacking football core style is being implemented.

Direct partnerships are used as the direct plays attacking style is being implemented.

Penetration score: moderate (1.10) – suitable for high and low relative overall ability teams

Solidity score: moderate (1.06) – suitable for high and low relative overall ability teams

Support score: moderate (1.17) – above the recommended minimum for direct plays

Number-tens:

• Technical – Attacking Midfielder (AM Support)

• Target-man – Deep Lying Forward (CF Attack)

A technical number-ten is used as the attacking football core style is being implemented.

A target-man is used as the direct plays attacking style is being implemented.

Symmetry:

• Central defence – no wide and off-centre central defenders

• Central midfield
  • Covering central midfielders – CDM achieves symmetry
  • Pressing central midfielders – Wide RCM and Wide LCM achieve symmetry
  • Number-eight central midfielders – Wide RCM and Wide LCM achieve symmetry

Counterbalancing combinations:

• Central midfield
  • Restrained central midfielder / pressing central midfielder
    • Defensive Midfielder (DM Defend) / 2 Carrileros (CM Support)
  • Number-eight central midfielder / restrained central midfielder
    • 2 Carrileros (CM Support) / Defensive Midfielder (DM Defend)

• Central attack
  • Restricted hold-up centre forward / central attacker
    • Defensive Forward (CF Support) / Attacking Midfielder (AM Support) + Deep Lying Forward (CF Attack)

Style methods:

• High risk mentality <= Control team mentality

• Long passes <= More Direct Passing

• Direct dribbles <= Run At Defence
  • Contrary (refraining from dribbles) <= 2 Central Defenders (CB Defend), Defensive Midfielder (DM Defend) – the use of Run At Defence means that the team overall still makes direct dribbles to a greater extent

• Stepping up <= Use Offside Trap

• Crosses <= 2 Full Backs (FB Attack)

• Crosses from deep <= 2 Full Backs (FB Attack)

• Tackling <= Defensive Forward (CF Support)

• Roaming movement / runs into channels / drifting movement <= 2 Carrileros (CM Support), Deep Lying Forward (CF Attack)
• Disciplined movement <= 2 Central Defenders (CB Defend), Defensive Midfielder (DM Defend)

• Risky passes <= Attacking Midfielder (AM Support)
• Safe passes <= Defensive Forward (CF Support)

• Lateral dribbles – not implemented
• Disciplined dribbles – not implemented

• Creative freedom – not implemented
• Tactical discipline – not implemented

• Tight marking – not implemented

• Speculative shots – not implemented
  • Contrary (refraining from shots) <= 2 Central Defenders (CB Defend) – these players generally remain too far from the opposition team’s goal to take speculative shots

The style methods listed are those suggested for the direct attacking football composite style.

Pass and Move Football

Structured Pass and Move Football – Enganche

Team mentality: Control – to implement the attacking football core style

Team shape: Structured – to implement a more structured playing system – style methods are therefore implemented mainly using tactical roles

Other team instructions:

• Shorter Passing – to implement the short plays attacking style

• Use Offside Trap – to implement the stepping up style method

Formation type: 4-2-4

Formation name: 4-1-1-3-1 DM/AM (asymmetric central midfield) – formation score* 1.07 – this is a fairly advanced formation so applies even greater defensive pressure* to the opposition team’s deeper players

Player roles and duties (including focus levels and key tactical roles):

• GK: Sweeper Keeper (GK Support)

• D: Holding CB – 4.0 – Ball Playing Defender (RCB Stopper) – orthodox, stopper central defender

• D: Holding CB – 3.0 – Central Defender (LCB Cover) – orthodox, covering, safe-playing central defender

• D: Offensive FB – 4.0 – Complete Wing Back (FB Attack) – attacking, shielding wide creator

• D: Offensive FB – 4.0 – Complete Wing Back (FB Attack) – attacking, shielding wide creator

• M: Holding DM – 5.0 – Anchor Man (RDM Defend) – covering central midfield water-carrier

• M: Supporting CM – 2.0 – Box To Box Midfielder (LCM Support) – pressing, number-eight central midfield creator

• A: Supporting AM – 2.5 – Enganche (CAM Attack) – number-ten, pressuring central attacker

• A: Supporting WF – 2.5 – Inside Forward (LWF Support) – pressuring wide player – auxiliary number-ten central attack runner, goal-scorer

• A: Offensive WF – 2.5 – Inside Forward (RWF Attack) – pressuring wide player – auxiliary number-nine central attack goal-scorer

• A: Supporting CF – 5.0 – Trequartista (CCF Attack) – number-ten, spearhead central attack runner, goal-scorer

Focus levels and the recommended minimum number of key tactical roles are shown in italics.

Key tactical roles are not shown where a player would be atypical or vacating.

Other player instructions:

• Box To Box Midfielder (CM Support)
  • Tackle Harder – to implement the tackling style method and make him a pressing central midfielder more focused on applying defensive pressure who can counterbalance the Anchor Man more effectively

Off the ball forward movement partnerships:

• Central midfield – direct (1 low risk)

• The flanks – direct (1 overloading), overlapping (1 high risk)

• Central attack – direct (2 high risk), overlapping (1 high risk)

Overlapping partnerships are used as the attacking football core style and the short plays attacking style are being implemented.

Penetration score: moderate (1.10) – suitable for high and low relative overall ability teams

Solidity score: low (1.00) – more suitable for high relative overall ability teams

Support score: moderate (1.17) – above the recommended minimum for short plays

Number-tens:

• Technical – Enganche (AM Attack), Inside Forward (WF Support), Trequartista (CF Attack)

Technical number-tens are used as the attacking football core style and the short plays attacking style are being implemented.

Symmetry: no wide and off-centre central defenders or central midfielders

Counterbalancing combinations:

• Central defence
  • Restrained central defender / stopper central defender
    • Central Defender (CB Cover) / Ball Playing Defender (CB Stopper)

• Central midfield
  • Restrained central midfielder / pressing central midfielder
    • Anchor Man (DM Defend) / Box To Box Midfielder (CM Support)
  • Number-eight central midfielder / restrained central midfielder
    • Box To Box Midfielder (CM Support) / Anchor Man (DM Defend)

Style methods:

• High risk mentality <= Control team mentality

• Short passes <= Shorter Passing

• Risky passes <= Sweeper Keeper (GK Support), Ball Playing Defender (CB Stopper), 2 Complete Wing Backs (FB Attack), Enganche (AM Attack), Inside Forward (WF Support), Trequartista (CF Attack)
  • Contrary (safe passes) <= Anchor Man (DM Defend) – the use of seven ball-playing players means that the team overall still makes risky passes to a greater extent

• Stepping up <= Use Offside Trap

• Creative freedom <= Ball Playing Defender (CB Stopper), Enganche (AM Attack), Trequartista (CF Attack)

• Direct dribbles <= 2 Complete Wing Backs (FB Attack), 2 Inside Forwards (WF Support/Attack), Trequartista (CF Attack)
• Refraining from dribbles <= Central Defender (CB Cover), Anchor Man (DM Defend), Enganche (AM Attack)

• Crosses from deep – not implemented
• Crosses from byline <= 2 Complete Wing Backs (FB Attack)

• Speculative shots – not implemented
• Refraining from shots <= Central Defender (CB Cover), Anchor Man (DM Defend)

• Roaming movement / runs into channels / drifting movement <= 2 Complete Wing Backs, Box To Box Midfielder (CM Support), Trequartista (CF Attack)
  • Contrary (disciplined movement) <= Ball Playing Defender (CB Stopper), Central Defender (CB Cover), Anchor Man (DM Defend) – these players make disciplined movement in order to act as covering players*, and the use of four roaming/channel-running players means that the team overall still makes roaming movement and runs into channels to a greater extent

• Lateral dribbles <= 2 Inside Forwards (WF Support/Attack)
  • Contrary (disciplined dribbles) <= 2 Complete Wing Backs (FB Attack) – these players make disciplined dribbles in order to make crosses from byline, and the use of two inverted wide players means that the team overall still makes lateral dribbles to an average extent

• Crosses <= 2 Complete Wing Backs (FB Attack)
• Refraining from crosses <= 2 Inside Forwards (WF Support/Attack)

• Tackling <= Box To Box Midfielder (CM Support)
  • Contrary (holding off) <= Trequartista (CF Attack) – the use of one hard-tackling player means that the team overall still tackles to an average extent

• Tight marking – not implemented

The style methods listed are those suggested for the pass and move football composite style.

Fluid Pass and Move Football

Team mentality: Control – to implement the attacking football core style

Team shape: Fluid – to implement a more fluid playing system – style methods are therefore implemented mainly using team instructions

Other team instructions:

• Shorter Passing – to implement the short plays attacking style

• Use Offside Trap – to implement the stepping up style method
• Pass Into Space – to implement the risky passes style method
• Roam From Positions – to implement the roaming movement style method

Formation type: 4-2-4

Formation name: 4-1-1-3-1 DM/AM (asymmetric central midfield) – formation score* 1.07 – this is a fairly advanced formation so applies even greater defensive pressure* to the opposition team’s deeper players

Player roles and duties (including focus levels and key tactical roles):

• GK: Goalkeeper (GK Defend)

• D: Holding CB – 2.0 – Central Defender (Off-Centre CB Defend) – orthodox, covering, safe-playing, stopper central defender

• D: Holding CB – 2.0 – Central Defender (Off-Centre CB Defend) – orthodox, covering, safe-playing, stopper central defender

• D: Offensive FB – 2.5 – Wing Back (FB Attack) – attacking, shielding wide creator

• D: Offensive FB – 2.5 – Wing Back (FB Attack) – attacking, shielding wide creator

• M: Holding DM – 2.0 – Defensive Midfielder (Off-Centre DM Defend) – covering, pressing central midfield water-carrier

• M: Supporting CM – 0.0 – Central Midfielder (Off-Centre CM Support) – pressing, number-eight central midfield water-carrier, creator

• A: Supporting WF – 2.5 – Inside Forward (WF Support) – pressuring wide player – auxiliary number-ten central attack runner, goal-scorer

• A: Supporting WF – 2.5 – Inside Forward (WF Support) – pressuring wide player – auxiliary number-ten central attack runner, goal-scorer

• A: Offensive AM – 1.5 – Attacking Midfielder (CAM Attack) – number-nine, pressuring central attack goal-scorer

• A: Supporting CF – 1.5 – Deep Lying Forward (CCF Support) – number-ten, pressuring, spearhead central attack runner

Focus levels and the recommended minimum number of key tactical roles are shown in italics.

Key tactical roles are not shown where a player would be atypical or vacating.

Other player instructions: none

Off the ball forward movement partnerships:

• Central midfield – direct (1 low risk)

• The flanks – overlapping (2 high risk)

• Central attack – direct (3 high risk), overlapping (1 high risk)

Overlapping partnerships are used as the attacking football core style and the short plays attacking style are being implemented.

Penetration score: moderate (1.10) – suitable for high and low relative overall ability teams

Solidity score: low (1.00) – more suitable for high relative overall ability teams

Support score: moderate (1.17) – above the recommended minimum for short plays

Number-tens:

• Technical – 2 Inside Forwards (WF Support)

• Technical and target-man – Deep Lying Forward (CF Support)

Technical number-tens are used as the attacking football core style and the short plays attacking style are being implemented.

Symmetry: no wide and off-centre central defenders or central midfielders

Counterbalancing combinations: none

Style methods:

• High risk mentality <= Control team mentality

• Short passes <= Shorter Passing

• Risky passes <= Pass Into Space

• Roaming movement / runs into channels / drifting movement <= Roam From Positions
  • Contrary (disciplined movement) <= 2 Central Defenders (CB Defend), Defensive Midfielder (DM Defend) – these players make disciplined movement in order to act as covering players*, and the use of Roam From Positions means that the team overall still makes roaming movement to a greater extent

• Stepping up <= Use Offside Trap

• Crosses from deep – not implemented
• Crosses from byline <= 2 Wing Backs (FB Attack)

• Speculative shots – not implemented
• Refraining from shots <= 2 Central Defenders (CB Defend)

• Direct dribbles <= 2 Wing Backs (FB Attack), 2 Inside Forwards (WF Support)
• Refraining from dribbles <= 2 Central Defenders (CB Defend), Defensive Midfielder (DM Defend)

• Lateral dribbles <= 2 Inside Forwards (WF Support)
  • Contrary (disciplined dribbles) <= 2 Wing Backs (FB Attack) – these players make disciplined dribbles in order to make crosses from byline, and the use of two inverted wide players means that the team overall still makes lateral dribbles to an average extent

• Crosses <= 2 Wing Backs (FB Attack)
• Refraining from crosses <= 2 Inside Forwards (WF Support)

• Creative freedom – not implemented

• Tight marking – not implemented

• Tackling – not implemented

The style methods listed are those suggested for the pass and move football composite style.

Long Ball Football

Structured Long Ball Football – Wide Target Man

Team mentality: Counter – to implement the defensive football core style and increase the use of counter attacking*

Team shape: Structured – to implement a more structured playing system – style methods are therefore implemented mainly using tactical roles

Other team instructions:

• More Direct Passing – to implement the direct plays attacking style

Formation type: 4-3-3

Formation name: 4-1-2-2-1 DM/AM (asymmetric midfield/attack) – formation score* 1.00 – uses two central attacker playing positions as long passes are focused to a target-man*

Player roles and duties (including focus levels and key tactical roles):

• GK: Goalkeeper (GK Defend)

• D: Holding CB – 4.5 – Defensive Centre Back (RCB Stopper) – orthodox, safe-playing, stopper central defender

• D: Holding CB – 4.5 – Defensive Centre Back (LCB Cover) – orthodox, covering, safe-playing central defender

• D: Supporting FB – 1.0 – Full Back (FB Support) – shielding wide player

• D: Supporting FB – 1.0 – Full Back (FB Support) – shielding wide player

• M: Holding DM – 5.0 – Anchor Man (RDM Defend) – covering central midfield water-carrier

• M: Supporting CM – 1.5 – Central Midfielder (LCM Support) – pressing, number-eight central midfield creator

• M: Offensive WM – 3.0 – Winger (RM Attack) – attacking, pressuring wide creator

• A: Supporting AM – 1.0 – Attacking Midfielder (CAM Support) – pressuring central attack runner, goal-scorer

• A: Offensive WF – 2.0 – Wide Target Man (LWF Attack) – attacking, pressuring wide creator

• A: Offensive CF – 2.0 – Deep Lying Forward (CCF Attack) – number-nine, number-ten, pressuring, spearhead central attacker

Focus levels and the recommended minimum number of key tactical roles are shown in italics.

Key tactical roles are not shown where a player would be atypical or vacating.

Other player instructions:

• 2 Full Backs (FB Support)
  • Run Wide With Ball – to implement the disciplined dribbles style method

• Central Midfielder (CM Support)
  • Close Down More – to make him a pressing central midfielder more focused on applying defensive pressure who can counterbalance the Anchor Man more effectively
  • Dribble More – to implement the direct dribbles style method

• Attacking Midfielder (AM Support)
  • Dribble More – to implement the direct dribbles style method and an on the ball overloading partnership* with the Deep Lying Forward

Off the ball forward movement partnerships:

• Central midfield – direct (1 low risk)

• The flanks – direct (2 high risk)

• Central attack – direct (1 high risk)

Direct partnerships are used as the defensive football core style and the direct plays attacking style are being implemented.

Penetration score: high (1.20) – more suitable for high relative overall ability teams (although balanced to some extent by the high solidity score)

Solidity score: high (1.13) – more suitable for low relative overall ability teams (although balanced to some extent by the high penetration score)

Support score: low (0.92) – equal to the recommended minimum for direct plays

Number-tens:

• Target-man – Deep Lying Forward (CF Attack)

A target-man is used as the defensive football core style and the direct plays attacking style are being implemented.

Symmetry: no wide and off-centre central defenders or central midfielders

Counterbalancing combinations:

• Central defence
  • Restrained central defender / stopper central defender
    • Defensive Centre Back (CB Cover) / Defensive Centre Back (CB Stopper)

• Central midfield
  • Restrained central midfielder / pressing central midfielder
    • Anchor Man (DM Defend) / Central Midfielder (CM Support)

Style methods:

• Low risk mentality <= Counter team mentality

• Long passes <= More Direct Passing

• Disciplined dribbles <= 2 Full Backs (FB Support), Winger (WM Attack)

• Safe passes <= 2 Defensive Centre Backs (CB Stopper/Cover), Anchor Man (DM Defend)

• Speculative shots – not implemented
• Refraining from shots <= 2 Defensive Centre Backs (CB Stopper/Cover), Anchor Man (DM Defend)

• Disciplined movement <= 2 Defensive Centre Backs (CB Stopper/Cover), Anchor Man (DM Defend)
  • Contrary (runs into channels) <= Deep Lying Forward (CF Attack) – the use of three disciplined-running players means that the team overall still makes disciplined movement to a greater extent

• Tactical discipline <= 2 Defensive Centre Backs (CB Stopper/Cover)

• Direct dribbles <= Winger (WM Attack), Central Midfielder (CM Support), Attacking Midfielder (AM Support)
• Refraining from dribbles <= 2 Defensive Centre Backs (CB Stopper/Cover), Anchor Man (DM Defend), Wide Target Man (WF Attack)

• Crosses <= Winger (WM Attack)
• Refraining from crosses – not implemented

• Crosses from deep <= 2 Full Backs (FB Support)
• Crosses from byline <= Winger (WM Attack)

• Stepping back – not implemented

• Loose marking – not implemented

• Holding off – not implemented

The style methods listed are those suggested for the long ball football composite style.

Structured Long Ball Football – Target Man / Poacher

Team mentality: Counter – to implement the defensive football core style and increase the use of counter attacking*

Team shape: Structured – to implement a more structured playing system – style methods are therefore implemented mainly using tactical roles

Other team instructions:

• More Direct Passing – to implement the direct plays attacking style

Formation type: 4-4-2

Formation name: 4-1-3-2 DM (asymmetric central midfield) – formation score* 1.00

Player roles and duties (including focus levels and key tactical roles):

• GK: Goalkeeper (GK Defend)

• D: Holding CB – 4.5 – Defensive Centre Back (RCB Stopper) – orthodox, safe-playing, stopper central defender

• D: Holding CB – 4.5 – Defensive Centre Back (LCB Cover) – orthodox, covering, safe-playing central defender

• D: Supporting FB – 0.5 – Full Back (FB Support) – shielding wide creator

• D: Supporting FB – 0.5 – Full Back (FB Support) – shielding wide creator

• M: Holding DM – 5.0 – Anchor Man (RDM Defend) – covering central midfield water-carrier

• M: Supporting CM – 1.0 – Central Midfielder (LCM Support) – pressing, number-eight central midfield water-carrier, creator

• M: Offensive WM – 3.0 – Winger (WM Attack) – attacking, pressuring wide creator

• M: Offensive WM – 3.0 – Winger (WM Attack) – attacking, pressuring wide creator

• A: Supporting CF – 1.0 – Target Man (RCF Support) – number-ten, pressuring, spearhead central attack runner

• A: Offensive CF – 2.5 – Poacher (LCF Attack) – number-nine, pressuring central attack goal-scorer

Focus levels and the recommended minimum number of key tactical roles are shown in italics.

Key tactical roles are not shown where a player would be atypical or vacating.

Other player instructions:

• Central Midfielder (CM Support)
  • Close Down More – to make him a pressing central midfielder more focused on applying defensive pressure who can counterbalance the Anchor Man more effectively

Off the ball forward movement partnerships:

• Central midfield – direct (1 low risk)

• The flanks – direct (2 high risk)

• Central attack – direct (1 high risk)

Direct partnerships are used as the defensive football core style and the direct plays attacking style are being implemented.

Penetration score: high (1.20) – more suitable for high relative overall ability teams (although balanced to some extent by the high solidity score)

Solidity score: high (1.13) – more suitable for low relative overall ability teams (although balanced to some extent by the high penetration score)

Support score: low (0.92) – equal to the recommended minimum for direct plays

Number-tens:

• Target-man – Target Man (CF Support)

A target-man is used as the defensive football core style and the direct plays attacking style are being implemented.

Symmetry: no wide and off-centre central defenders or central midfielders

Counterbalancing combinations:

• Central defence
  • Restrained central defender / stopper central defender
    • Defensive Centre Back (CB Cover) / Defensive Centre Back (CB Stopper)

• Central midfield
  • Restrained central midfielder / pressing central midfielder
    • Anchor Man (DM Defend) / Central Midfielder (CM Support)

• Central attack
  • Restricted central attacker / hold-up centre forward
    • Poacher (CF Attack) / Target Man (CF Support)
  • Restricted hold-up centre forward / central attacker
    • Target Man (CF Support) / Poacher (CF Attack)

Style methods:

• Low risk mentality <= Counter team mentality

• Long passes <= More Direct Passing

• Safe passes <= 2 Defensive Centre Backs (CB Stopper/Cover), Anchor Man (DM Defend), Poacher (CF Attack)

• Disciplined movement <= 2 Defensive Centre Backs (CB Stopper/Cover), Anchor Man (DM Defend)

• Speculative shots – not implemented
• Refraining from shots <= 2 Defensive Centre Backs (CB Defend), Anchor Man (DM Defend)

• Tactical discipline <= 2 Defensive Centre Backs (CB Stopper/Cover), Poacher (CF Attack)

• Direct dribbles <= 2 Wingers (WM Attack)
• Refraining from dribbles <= 2 Central Defenders (CB Defend), Anchor Man (DM Defend), Target Man (CF Support)

• Disciplined dribbles <= 2 Wingers (WM Attack)

• Crosses <= 2 Wingers (WM Attack)
• Refraining from crosses <= 2 Full Backs (FB Support)

• Crosses from deep <= 2 Full Backs (FB Support)
• Crosses from byline <= 2 Wingers (WM Attack)

• Stepping back – not implemented

• Loose marking – not implemented

• Holding off – not implemented

The style methods listed are those suggested for the long ball football composite style.

Fluid Long Ball Football

Team mentality: Counter – to implement the defensive football core style and increase the use of counter attacking*

Team shape: Fluid – to implement a more fluid playing system – style methods are therefore implemented mainly using team instructions

Other team instructions:

• More Direct Passing – to implement the direct plays attacking style

• Be More Disciplined – to implement the tactical discipline style method
• Stick To Positions – to implement the disciplined movement style method

Formation type: 4-4-2

Formation name: 4-1-3-1-1 DM/AM (asymmetric central midfield / central attack) – formation score* 0.93 – this is a fairly deep formation so enables an even greater use of counter attacking* to exploit available space behind opposition team players – uses two central attacker playing positions as long passes are focused to a target-man*

Player roles and duties (including focus levels and key tactical roles):

• GK: Goalkeeper (GK Defend)

• D: Holding CB – 2.0 – Central Defender (Off-Centre CB Defend) – orthodox, covering, safe-playing, stopper central defender

• D: Holding CB – 2.0 – Central Defender (Off-Centre CB Defend) – orthodox, covering, safe-playing, stopper central defender

• D: Supporting FB – 0.5 – Full Back (FB Support) – shielding wide creator

• D: Supporting FB – 0.5 – Full Back (FB Support) – shielding wide creator

• M: Holding DM – 2.0 – Defensive Midfielder (RDM Defend) – covering, pressing central midfield water-carrier

• M: Supporting CM – 0.0 – Central Midfielder (LCM Support) – pressing, number-eight central midfield water-carrier, creator

• M: Offensive WM – 2.5 – Wide Midfielder (WM Attack) – attacking, pressuring wide creator

• M: Offensive WM – 2.5 – Wide Midfielder (WM Attack) – attacking, pressuring wide creator

• A: Supporting AM – 0.5 – Attacking Midfielder (RAM Support) – pressuring central attack runner, goal-scorer

• A: Offensive CF – 2.0 – Deep Lying Forward (LCF Attack) – number-nine, number-ten, pressuring, spearhead central attacker

Focus levels and the recommended minimum number of key tactical roles are shown in italics.

Key tactical roles are not shown where a player would be atypical or vacating.

Other player instructions:

• 2 Wide Midfielders (WM Attack)
  • Run Wide With Ball – to implement the disciplined dribbles style method and indirectly increase the use of crosses from byline (since the players will make direct/disciplined dribbles towards the byline)
  • Dribble More – to implement the direct dribbles style method and on the ball high risk direct partnerships* with the Full Backs, and indirectly increase the use of crosses from byline (since the players will make direct/disciplined dribbles towards the byline)
  • Cross From Byline – to implement the crosses from byline style method

Off the ball forward movement partnerships:

• Central midfield – direct (1 low risk)

• The flanks – direct (2 high risk)

• Central attack – direct (1 high risk)

Direct partnerships are used as the defensive football core style and the direct plays attacking style are being implemented.

Penetration score: moderate (1.10) – suitable for high and low relative overall ability teams

Solidity score: high (1.13) – more suitable for low relative overall ability teams

Support score: low (1.00) – above the recommended minimum for direct plays

Number-tens:

• Target-man – Deep Lying Forward (CF Attack)

A target-man is used as the defensive football core style and the direct plays attacking style are being implemented.

Symmetry: no wide and off-centre central defenders or central midfielders

Counterbalancing combinations: none

Style methods:

• Low risk mentality <= Counter team mentality

• Long passes <= More Direct Passing

• Disciplined movement <= Stick To Positions, 2 Central Defenders (CB Defend), Defensive Midfielder (DM Defend)
  • Contrary (runs into channels) <= Deep Lying Forward (CF Attack) – the use of Stick To Positions and three disciplined-running players means that the team overall still makes disciplined movement to a greater extent

• Tactical discipline <= Be More Disciplined

• Disciplined dribbles <= 2 Wide Midfielders (WM Attack)

• Speculative shots – not implemented
• Refraining from shots <= 2 Central Defenders (CB Defend)

• Direct dribbles <= 2 Wide Midfielders (WM Attack)
• Refraining from dribbles <= 2 Central Defenders (CB Defend), Defensive Midfielder (DM Defend)

• Crosses from deep <= 2 Full Backs (FB Support)
• Crosses from byline <= 2 Wide Midfielders (WM Attack)

• Safe passes – not implemented

• Crosses – not implemented
• Refraining from crosses – not implemented

• Stepping back – not implemented

• Loose marking – not implemented

• Holding off – not implemented

The style methods listed are those suggested for the long ball football composite style.

Possession Football

Structured Possession Football – Regista / Raumdeuter

Team mentality: Counter – to implement the defensive football core style and increase the use of counter attacking*

Team shape: Structured – to implement a more structured playing system – style methods are therefore implemented mainly using tactical roles

Other team instructions:

• Shorter Passing – to implement the short plays attacking style

Formation type: 4-3-3

Formation name: 4-2-1-3 DM – formation score* 0.93 – this is a fairly deep formation so enables an even greater use of counter attacking* to exploit available space behind opposition team players

Player roles and duties (including focus levels and key tactical roles):

• GK: Goalkeeper (GK Defend)

• D: Holding CB – 3.0 – Central Defender (RCB Stopper) – orthodox, safe-playing, stopper central defender

• D: Holding CB – 3.0 – Central Defender (LCB Cover) – orthodox, covering, safe-playing central defender

• D: Offensive FB – 2.5 – Wing Back (FB Attack) – attacking, shielding wide creator

• D: Offensive FB – 2.5 – Wing Back (FB Attack) – attacking, shielding wide creator

• M: Holding DM – 5.0 – Anchor Man (RDM Defend) – covering central midfield water-carrier

• M: Supporting DM – 3.0 – Regista (LDM Support) – pressing, number-eight central midfield creator

• M: Offensive CM – 1.0 – Central Midfielder (CCM Attack) – number-eight central midfielder – auxiliary central attack runner, goal-scorer

• A: Supporting WF – 3.5 – Advanced Playmaker (LWF Support) – pressuring wide player – auxiliary number-ten central attack runner

• A: Offensive WF – 4.5 – Raumdeuter (RWF Attack) – pressuring wide player – auxiliary number-nine, pressuring central attack goal-scorer

• A: Supporting CF – 1.5 – Deep Lying Forward (CCF Support) – number-ten, pressuring, spearhead central attack runner

Focus levels and the recommended minimum number of key tactical roles are shown in italics.

Key tactical roles are not shown where a player would be atypical or vacating.

Other player instructions:

• Regista (DM Support)
  • Close Down More – to make him a pressing central midfielder as no other such tactical role is used (other than for the Central Midfielder, who is a vacating player)

Off the ball forward movement partnerships:

• Central midfield – direct (1 high risk, 1 low risk)

• The flanks – direct (1 overloading), overlapping (1 high risk)

• Central attack – direct (1 overloading), overlapping (3 high risk)

Direct partnerships are used as the defensive football core style is being implemented.

Overlapping partnerships are used as the short plays attacking style is being implemented.

Penetration score: low (1.00) – more suitable for low relative overall ability teams

Solidity score: moderate (1.06) – suitable for high and low relative overall ability teams

Support score: moderate (1.08) – equal to the recommended minimum for short plays

Number-tens:

• Technical – Advanced Playmaker (WF Support)

• Technical and target-man – Deep Lying Forward (CF Support)

A target-man is used as the defensive football core style is being implemented.

Technical number-tens are used as the short plays attacking style is being implemented.

Symmetry: no wide and off-centre central defenders or central midfielders

Counterbalancing combinations:

• Central defence
  • Restrained central defender / stopper central defender
    • Central Defender (CB Cover) / Central Defender (CB Stopper)

• Central midfield
  • Restrained central midfielder / pressing central midfielder
    • Anchor Man (DM Defend) / Regista (DM Support) + Central Midfielder (CM Attack)
  • Number-eight central midfielder / restrained central midfielder
    • Regista (DM Support) + Central Midfielder (CM Attack) / Anchor Man (DM Defend)

Style methods:

• Low risk mentality <= Counter team mentality

• Short passes <= Shorter Passing

• Refraining from shots <= 2 Central Defenders (CB Stopper / Cover), Anchor Man (DM Defend), Advanced Playmaker (WF Support)

• Crosses from byline <= 2 Wing Backs (WB Attack)

• Creative freedom <= Regista (DM Support), Advanced Playmaker (WF Support)
• Tactical discipline – not implemented

• Roaming movement / runs into channels / drifting movement <= Regista (DM Support), Raumdeuter (WF Attack)
• Disciplined movement <= 2 Central Defenders (CB Stopper/Cover), Anchor Man (DM Defend)

• Refraining from dribbles <= 2 Central Defenders (CB Stopper/Cover), Anchor Man (DM Defend)
  • Contrary (direct dribbles) <= 2 Wing Backs (WB Attack) – the direct dribbles made by these players tend to be disciplined dribbles made in order to make crosses from byline, and the use of three restricted-dribbling players means that the team overall still refrains from dribbles to a greater extent

• Lateral dribbles <= Advanced Playmaker (WF Support)
• Disciplined dribbles <= 2 Wing Backs (WB Attack)

• Risky passes <= Advanced Playmaker (WF Support), Deep Lying Forward (CF Support)
• Safe passes <= Anchor Man (DM Defend)

• Refraining from crosses <= Advanced Playmaker (WF Support), Raumdeuter (WF Attack)
  • Contrary (crosses) <= 2 Wing Backs (WB Attack) – the crosses made by these players tend to be crosses from byline, and the use of two restricted-crossing players means that the team overall still refrains from crosses to an average extent

• Stepping back – not implemented

• Loose marking – not implemented

• Holding off – not implemented

The style methods listed are those suggested for the possession football composite style.

Structured Possession Football – Inverted Wing Back / Half Back / Segundo Volante / Wide Playmaker / Mezzala

Team mentality: Counter – to implement the defensive football core style and increase the use of counter attacking*

Team shape: Structured – to implement a more structured playing system – style methods are therefore implemented mainly using tactical roles

Other team instructions:

• Shorter Passing – to implement the short plays attacking style

Formation type: 4-4-2

Formation name: 4-2-2-2 DM (asymmetric midfield/attack) – formation score* 0.87 – this is a very deep formation so enables an even greater use of counter attacking* to exploit available space behind opposition team players

Player roles and duties (including focus levels and key tactical roles):

• GK: Goalkeeper (GK Defend)

• D: Holding CB – 4.0 – Central Defender (RCB Stopper) – orthodox, safe-playing, stopper central defender

• D: Holding CB – 4.0 – Central Defender (LCB Cover) – orthodox, covering, safe-playing central defender

• D: Offensive FB – 5.5 – Inverted Wing Back (RB Attack) – shielding wide player – auxiliary number-eight central midfield creator

• D: Offensive FB – 4.0 – Complete Wing Back (LB Attack) – attacking, shielding wide creator

• M: Half-back* – 4.5 – Half Back (RDM Defend) – covering central midfielder – auxiliary orthodox, safe-playing central defender

• M: Offensive DM – 1.5 – Segundo Volante (LDM Support) – number-eight central midfield water-carrier, creator

• M: Supporting WM – 4.0 – Wide Playmaker (LM Support) – pressuring wide player – auxiliary pressing, number-eight central midfield creator

• M: Offensive CM – 4.0 – Mezzala (RCM Attack) – pressing, number-eight central midfielder – auxiliary number-ten central attack runner, goal-scorer

• A: Offensive WF – 3.0 – Winger (RWF Attack) – attacking, pressuring wide creator

• A: Offensive CF – 2.0 – Deep Lying Forward (LCF Attack) – number-nine, number-ten, pressuring, spearhead central attacker

Focus levels and the recommended minimum number of key tactical roles are shown in italics.

Key tactical roles are not shown where a player would be atypical or vacating, with the exception of pressing central midfielder for the vacating Mezzala (offensive centre midfielder), which, in combination with the Wide Playmaker (auxiliary wide and off-centre player) is a special case*.

Other player instructions:

• 2 Central Defenders (CB Stopper/Cover)
  • Fewer Risky Passes – to implement the safe passes style method

• Half Back (DM Defend)
  • Fewer Risky Passes – to implement the safe passes style method

• Segundo Volante (DM Support)
  • Get Further Forward – to increase the penetration score and implement various forward movement partnerships, including an overlapping partnership with the Wide Playmaker (a Segundo Volante (DM Attack) is not used because of its Shoot More Often default player instruction)

Off the ball forward movement partnerships:

• Central midfield – direct (1 high risk, 1 low risk, 3 overloading), overlapping (1 high risk, 1 medium risk)

• The flanks – direct (1 overloading), overlapping (1 high risk)

• Central attack – direct (1 overloading)

Direct partnerships are used as the defensive football core style is being implemented.

Overlapping partnerships are used as the short plays attacking style is being implemented.

Penetration score: moderate (1.10) – suitable for high and low relative overall ability teams

Solidity score: high (1.13) – more suitable for low relative overall ability teams

Support score: moderate (1.17) – above the recommended minimum for short plays

Number-tens:

• Technical – Mezzala (CM Attack)

• Target-man – Deep Lying Forward (CF Attack)

A target-man is used as the defensive football core style is being implemented.

A technical number-ten is used as the short plays attacking style is being implemented.

Symmetry:

• Central defence – although there is an auxiliary wide RCB (the RB), positional responsibilities are distributed between the RCB and LCB, achieving symmetry

• Central midfield
  • Covering central midfielders – RDM achieves symmetry
  • Pressing central midfielders – RCM and auxiliary wide LCM (the LM) achieve symmetry, although the RCM is a vacating player (this is explained as a vacating players special case*)
  • Number-eight central midfielders – LDM achieves symmetry

Counterbalancing combinations:

• Central defence
  • Restrained central defender / stopper central defender
    • Central Defender (CB Cover) / Central Defender (CB Stopper)

• Central midfield
  • Restrained central midfielder / pressing central midfielder
    • Half Back (DM Defend) / Wide Playmaker (WM Support) + Mezzala (CM Attack)
  • Number-eight central midfielder / restrained central midfielder
    • Inverted Wing Back (FB Attack) + Segundo Volante (DM Support) + Wide Playmaker (WM Support) + Mezzala (CM Attack) / Half Back (DM Defend)

Style methods:

• Low risk mentality <= Counter team mentality

• Short passes <= Shorter Passing

• Refraining from shots <= 2 Central Defenders (CB Stopper/Cover), Wide Playmaker (WM Support)

• Roaming movement / runs into channels / drifting movement <= Inverted Wing Back (FB Attack), Complete Wing Back (FB Attack), Wide Playmaker (WM Support), Mezzala (CM Attack), Deep Lying Forward (CF Attack)
• Disciplined movement <= 2 Central Defenders (CB Stopper/Cover), Half Back (DM Defend)

• Crosses from byline <= Complete Wing Back (FB Attack), Winger (WF Attack)

• Creative freedom <= Inverted Wing Back (FB Support), Wide Playmaker (WM Support)
• Tactical discipline – not implemented

• Refraining from dribbles <= 2 Central Defenders (CB Stopper/Cover), Half Back (DM Defend)
  • Contrary (direct dribbles) <= Inverted Wing Back (FB Attack), Complete Wing Back (FB Attack), Winger (WF Attack) – the direct dribbles made by the Inverted Wing Back tend to be lateral dribbles, the direct dribbles made by the Complete Wing Back and Winger tend to be disciplined dribbles made in order to make crosses from byline, and the use of three restricted-dribbling players means that the team overall still refrains from dribbles to an average extent

• Lateral dribbles <= Inverted Wing Back (FB Attack), Wide Playmaker (WM Support)
• Disciplined dribbles <= Complete Wing Back (FB Attack), Winger (WF Attack)

• Risky passes <= Inverted Wing Back (FB Attack), Complete Wing Back (FB Support), Mezzala (CM Attack)
• Safe passes <= 2 Central Defenders (CB Stopper/Cover), Half Back (DM Defend)

• Refraining from crosses <= Inverted Wing Back (FB Attack), Wide Playmaker (WM Support)
  • Contrary (crosses) <= Complete Wing Back (FB Attack), Winger (WF Attack) – the crosses made by these players tend to be crosses from byline, and the use of two restricted-crossing players means that the team overall still refrains from crosses to an average extent

• Stepping back – not implemented

• Loose marking – not implemented

• Holding off – not implemented

The style methods listed are those suggested for the possession football composite style.

Fluid Possession Football

Team mentality: Counter – to implement the defensive football core style and increase the use of counter attacking*

Team shape: Fluid – to implement a more fluid playing system – style methods are therefore implemented mainly using team instructions

Other team instructions:

• Shorter Passing – to implement the short plays attacking style

• Work Ball Into Box – to implement the refraining from crosses and refraining from shots style methods

Formation type: 3-5-2

Formation name: 3-5-1-1 AM – formation score* 1.00

Player roles and duties (including focus levels and key tactical roles):

• GK: Goalkeeper (GK Defend)

• D: Holding CB – 2.0 – Central Defender (CCB Defend) – orthodox, covering, safe-playing, stopper central defender

• D: Holding CB – 2.0 – Central Defender (Wide and Off-Centre CB Defend) – orthodox, covering, safe-playing, stopper central defender

• D: Holding CB – 2.0 – Central Defender (Wide and Off-Centre CB Defend) – orthodox, covering, safe-playing, stopper central defender

• M: Offensive WB – 2.5 – Wing Back (WB Attack) – attacking, shielding wide creator

• M: Offensive WB – 2.5 – Wing Back (WB Attack) – attacking, shielding wide creator

• M: Holding CM – 2.5 – Central Midfielder (CCM Defend) – covering central midfield water-carrier, creator

• M: Supporting CM – 2.0 – Central Midfielder (Wide RCM Support) – pressing, number-eight central midfield creator – auxiliary pressuring wide creator – auxiliary number-ten central attacker

• M: Supporting CM – 1.0 – Central Midfielder (Wide LCM Support) – pressing, number-eight central midfield water-carrier, creator – auxiliary pressuring wide creator

• A: Supporting AM – 0.5 – Attacking Midfielder (CAM Support) – pressuring central attack runner, goal-scorer

• A: Offensive CF – 2.0 – Deep Lying Forward (CCF Attack) – number-nine, number-ten, pressuring, spearhead central attacker

Focus levels and the recommended minimum number of key tactical roles are shown in italics.

Key tactical roles are not shown where a player would be atypical or vacating.

Other player instructions:

• Central Midfielder (CM Defend)
  • Close Down Less – to make him a restrained central midfielder more focused on providing defensive cover who can counterbalance the Central Midfielders (CM Support) more effectively

• 2 Central Midfielders (CM Support)
  • Close Down More – to make them auxiliary pressuring wide players as no other such tactical roles are used

• Central Midfielder (RCM Support)
  • More Risky Passes – to implement the risky passes style method and assign a technical number-ten tactical role as no other such tactical role is used

Off the ball forward movement partnerships:

• Central midfield – direct (2 low risk)

• The flanks – overlapping (2 high risk)

• Central attack – direct (1 high risk)

Direct partnerships are used as the defensive football core style is being implemented.

Overlapping partnerships are used as the short plays attacking style is being implemented.

Penetration score: low (1.00) – more suitable for low relative overall ability teams

Solidity score: high (1.13) – more suitable for low relative overall ability teams

Support score: high (1.33) – above the recommended minimum for short plays

Number-tens:

• Technical – Central Midfielder (RCM Support)

• Target-man – Deep Lying Forward (CF Attack)

A target-man is used as the defensive football core style is being implemented.

A technical number-ten is used as the short plays attacking style is being implemented.

Symmetry:

• Central defence
  • Covering central defenders – CCB achieves symmetry
  • Stopper central defenders – CCB achieves symmetry

• Central midfield
  • Covering central midfielders – CCM achieves symmetry
  • Pressing central midfielders – Wide RCM and Wide LCM achieve symmetry
  • Number-eight central midfielders – Wide RCM and Wide LCM achieve symmetry

Counterbalancing combinations:

• Central midfield
  • Restrained central midfielder / pressing central midfielder
    • Central Midfielder (CM Defend) / 2 Central Midfielders (CM Support)

Style methods:

• Low risk mentality <= Counter team mentality

• Short passes <= Shorter Passing

• Refraining from shots <= Work Ball Into Box

• Roaming movement / runs into channels / drifting movement <= Deep Lying Forward (CF Attack)
• Disciplined movement <= 3 Central Defenders (CB Defend), Central Midfielder (CM Defend)

• Refraining from dribbles <= 3 Central Defenders (CB Defend)

• Lateral dribbles – not implemented
• Disciplined dribbles <= 2 Wing Backs (WB Attack)

• Crosses from byline <= 2 Wing Backs (WB Attack)

• Risky passes <= Central Midfielder (RCM Support)
• Safe passes – not implemented

• Refraining from crosses <= Work Ball Into Box
  • Contrary (crosses) <= 2 Wing Backs (WB Attack) – the crosses made by these players tend to be crosses from byline, and the use of Work Ball Into Box means that the team overall still refrains from crosses to an average extent

• Creative freedom – not implemented
• Tactical discipline – not implemented

• Stepping back – not implemented

• Loose marking – not implemented

• Holding off – not implemented

The style methods listed are those suggested for the possession football composite style.

Flexible Possession Football – Inverted Wing Back / Half Back / Carrilero

Team mentality: Counter – to implement the defensive football core style and increase the use of counter attacking*

Team shape: Flexible – to implement a flexible playing system – style methods are therefore implemented using a mixture of team instructions and tactical roles

Other team instructions:

• Shorter Passing – to implement the short plays attacking style

• Dribble Less – to implement the refraining from dribbles style method

Formation type: 4-4-2

Formation name: 4-1-3-2 DM (asymmetric midfield/attack) – formation score* 0.93 – this is a fairly deep formation so enables an even greater use of counter attacking* to exploit available space behind opposition team players

Player roles and duties (including focus levels and key tactical roles):

• GK: Goalkeeper (GK Defend)

• D: Holding CB – 2.0 – Central Defender (Off-Centre CB Defend) – orthodox, covering, safe-playing, stopper central defender

• D: Holding CB – 2.0 – Central Defender (Off-Centre CB Defend) – orthodox, covering, safe-playing, stopper central defender

• D: Supporting FB – 3.0 – Inverted Wing Back (RB Support) – shielding wide player – auxiliary central midfield creator

• D: Offensive FB – 2.5 – Wing Back (LB Attack) – attacking, shielding wide creator

• M: Half-back* – 3.5 – Half Back (CDM Defend) – covering central midfield water-carrier – auxiliary orthodox, safe-playing central defender

• M: Supporting CM – 0.5 – Carrilero (RCM Support) – pressing, number-eight central midfield creator

• M: Offensive CM – 1.0 – Central Midfielder (LCM Attack) – number-eight central midfield water-carrier – auxiliary central attack runner, goal-scorer

• M: Offensive WM – 3.0 – Winger (RM Attack) – attacking, pressuring wide creator

• A: Supporting WF – 2.5 – Inside Forward (LWF Support) – pressuring wide player – auxiliary number-ten central attack runner, goal-scorer

• A: Offensive CF – 2.0 – Deep Lying Forward (CCF Attack) – number-nine, number-ten, pressuring, spearhead central attacker

Focus levels and the recommended minimum number of key tactical roles are shown in italics.

Key tactical roles are not shown where a player would be atypical or vacating, with the exception of central midfield water-carrier for the vacating Half Back (deep-dropping defensive midfielder) and the vacating Central Midfielder (offensive centre midfielder), which is a special case*.

Other player instructions: none

Off the ball forward movement partnerships:

• Central midfield – direct (1 high risk, 1 low risk), overlapping (1 low risk)

• The flanks – direct (1 high risk), overlapping (1 high risk)

• Central attack – direct (1 high risk, 1 overloading), overlapping (1 high risk)

Direct partnerships are used as the defensive football core style is being implemented.

Overlapping partnerships are used as the short plays attacking style is being implemented.

Penetration score: moderate (1.10) – suitable for high and low relative overall ability teams

Solidity score: high (1.13) – more suitable for low relative overall ability teams

Support score: moderate (1.08) – equal to the recommended minimum for short plays

Number-tens:

• Technical – Inside Forward (WF Support)

• Target-man – Deep Lying Forward (CF Attack)

A target-man is used as the defensive football core style is being implemented.

A technical number-ten is used as the short plays attacking style is being implemented.

Symmetry:

• Central defence – although there is an auxiliary wide RCB (the RB), positional responsibilities are distributed between the RCB and LCB, achieving symmetry

• Central midfield – although there is an auxiliary wide RDM (the RB), positional responsibilities are distributed between the CDM, RCM and LCM, achieving symmetry

Counterbalancing combinations:

• Central midfield
  • Restrained central midfielder / pressing central midfielder
    • Half Back (DM Defend) / Carrilero (CM Support) + Central Midfielder (CM Attack)
  • Number-eight central midfielder / restrained central midfielder
    • Carrilero (CM Support) + Central Midfielder (CM Attack) / Half Back (DM Defend)

Style methods:

• Low risk mentality <= Counter team mentality

• Short passes <= Shorter Passing

• Refraining from dribbles <= Dribble Less, 2 Central Defenders (CB Defend), Half Back (DM Defend)
  • Contrary (direct dribbles) <= Wing Back (FB Attack), Winger (WM Attack), Inside Forward (WF Support) – the direct dribbles made by the Wing Back and Winger tend to be disciplined dribbles made in order to make crosses from byline, the direct dribbles made by the Inside Forward tend to be lateral dribbles, and the use of Dribble Less and three restricted-dribbling players means that the team overall still refrains from dribbles to a greater extent

• Crosses from byline <= Wing Back (FB Attack), Winger (WM Attack)

• Refraining from shots <= 2 Central Defenders (CB Defend)

• Risky passes <= Inside Forward (WF Support)
• Safe passes – not implemented

• Creative freedom <= Inverted Wing Back (FB Support)
• Tactical discipline – not implemented

• Roaming movement / runs into channels / drifting movement <= Inverted Wing Back (FB Support), Carrilero (CM Support), Deep Lying Forward (CF Attack)
• Disciplined movement <= 2 Central Defenders (CB Defend), Half Back (DM Defend)

• Lateral dribbles <= Inverted Wing Back (FB Support), Inside Forward (WF Support)
• Disciplined dribbles <= Wing Back (FB Attack), Winger (WM Attack)

• Refraining from crosses <= Inverted Wing Back (FB Support), Inside Forward (WF Support)
  • Contrary (crosses) <= Wing Back (FB Attack), Winger (WM Attack) – the crosses made by these players tend to be crosses from byline, and the use of two restricted-crossing players means that the team overall still refrains from crosses to an average extent

• Stepping back – not implemented

• Loose marking – not implemented

• Holding off – not implemented

The style methods listed are those suggested for the possession football composite style.