Hello.

On the tactic screen in selection window FM offers us a number of standard formations to choose from.



All the formations seen above, however much their names tell us, fall into four basic groups:
1. defensive
2. balanced
3. attacking
4. varying

Some sources name a fifth category, namely counter-attacking, but starting with FM 2008 they began to lose their uniqueness adopting more and more characteristics of the defensive ones.

On today's lesson we will discuss all these groups. But before we focus on that we have to go ahead of our schedule a bit and say a few words about one of tactical instructions at this point. It is essential for proper comprehension of basic differences between the formations. Please, treat it as an introduction only, we shall discuss it in details on one of the following lessons.

This is the most important instruction (both team and individual) of all: mentality.



Determining the mentality of the whole team or a particular player sets the co-operation between the formations. If the players the players from different lines (see Lesson 1) have too big difference in their mentalities it creates the gap between the formations thus making it harder to construct an attack or organise the defence.

Have you ever wondered why your team plays nice aggressive pressing on the opponent's half and on own area but allows lots of space in between? I suggest checking your players' mentality: most probably your defenders are on ultra defensive and your midfielders and strikers on ultra attacking.

Keep in mind that mentality is synonymous with telling your player: defend or attack! If you set the extreme values it works as if you were telling the player: forget about defending or forget about attacking. And so they do.

It is usually the weakest point of a computer opponent. Most of the standard formations used by FM show curious thoughtlessness, and this gives you a chance for creating an advantage.

Generally speaking, one should follow the rule that the difference in mentality between particular lines should not be greater than 4, and, at the same time, the difference between your last defensive line (defenders) and first attacking line (strikers) should not exceed 10. These are, of course, the extreme values beyond which gaps appear leading to more missed passes up front, and less successful tackles in defence. I recommend using lower values that will make your formation more concise and exercise better co-operation between players (e.g. better covering in defence). We will discuss it in details on the lesson devoted to mentality.

Defensive tactics

All defensive formations have the following in common: low players' tactical freedom and defensive mentality (an average for the whole team below 10 on the slider), tight marking instruction on for most of the players, abandonment of frequent forward runs (including running with the ball) for players of defensive lines, and ultra defensive mentality of your defensive lines, fullbacks (and side midfielders) in particular. All use direct way of passing and play narrow.

In defensive tactics at least 5 players perform defensive duties. Very often even central midfielders have restricted tactical freedom and defensive mentality. It is in these tactics that the second line (defenders) is aided by defensive midfielders (line 3).

Summary:
1. Restricted tactical freedom
2. Defensive mentality
3. Tight marking
4. Occasional forward runs
5. Defensive-minded wings
6. Direct passing
7. Narrowing the play
8. At least 4 players in lines 0-3

Balanced tactics

Balanced tactics can be easily told from the defensive ones by the greater tactical freedom given to wingers and midfielders, normal team mentality (an average of 10-14 on the slider), mixed passing, more frequent running forward (including running with the ball) that is, however, never set to often.

In balanced tactics the most common values for tactical instructions fluctuate around the average: normal tempo, normal width, etc. Usually fullbacks take more part in attacking play. We won't see them running with ball yet. These are conservative settings, however in these tactics the differences in players' mentality between lines are the lowest.

Every now and then a player with free role can be seen.

Summary:
1. Greater tactical freedom in lines 3-5
2. Normal mentality
3. Tight marking for central defenders, zonal for the others
4. Mixed running forward for wingers
5. Normal mentality for wingers
6. Mixed passing
7. Normal width and tempo
8. At least 5 players in lines 2-4 or 4 players in line 3.

Attacking tactics

Attacking tactics have the greatest tactical freedom and attacking mentality (an average for the team above 14 on the slider), frequent running forward for wingers and frequent running with the ball for midfielders (even central ones), usually no tight marking, wide way of playing and frequent through balls.

In attacking tactics a free role instruction is very frequent with two or even three players acting as 'free electrons'.

Summary:
1. Much tactical freedom
2. Attacking mentality
3. Usually no tight marking
4. Attacking-minded wingers frequently running forward
5. A free role player
6. Short passing (rarely mixed)
7. Playing wide
8. At least 5 players in lines 3-5.

Varying tactics

Varying tactics are the hardest to identify. They put great emphasis on dominating the play. They can be seen among the defensive, the attacking, and the balanced tactics. Their main difference is that they do not have a clearly determined mentality and highly restricted tactical freedom of defenders comes in hand with great tactical freedom of forwards and attacking midfielders, however, the team's mentality is rather defensive (an average between 6 and 10 on the slider). Very often they use offside traps, target men, and counter attacks. They do not use, however, tight marking.

In varying tactics we see the widest way of playing and a playmaker.

Summary:
1. Big differences in players' tactical freedom
2. Defensive mentality
3. No tight marking
4. Rare running with the ball
5. Attacking-minded wings
6. Short passing
7. Widest way of playing
8. Always use a playmaker.

To the above rules there are, just as in life, exceptions but only in tactics made by the users. Those made by FM always stick to them.

This knowledge is invaluable for analysing our next opponent, since even if we know their formation we have no access to the team instructions (not to mention the individual ones!). But this way, having the basic information about our opponent we can more accurately draw an inference about their way of playing and what we can expect in the next match.

It's all for today.

Thank you for attention and let me announce the next lesson with which we will begin analysing players' positions, attributes and selected relations. Next on our agenda: goalkeeper.

See you next time.

Translation: Przemo