Football Manager Mad.
Setting Up Your Teams Tactics
The tactics you choose for your team can also have a bearing on the success of your team, it is another vital aspect and so is important to get right. In this section I will give you some tips for setting up your formation, tactics and set pieces.
The first thing to do is to set up your formation, I have always found that the best and most effective way to do this is by using 'Tactic Creator' in the tactics screen '+ Add Tactic', this is a wizard that helps you put your formation and tactics together.
Match Preparation - If I have a Home Game I set the Focus as Attacking Movement, and Defensive Positioning for Away Games. However if I am playing a much weaker team if it is home or away I will Focus on Attacking Movement, and if I am playing a much stronger team I will Focus on Defensive Positioning.
(for more information on setting up your match preparation, team & individual training visit the Training page)
Goalkeeper Instructions - Go to Tactics>Player>Goalkeeper>Show Instructions>Defensive and set Distribution to Defender Collect and set Distribute To to DL or DR (whichever is the better player). This set up makes it much easier for you to keep the ball and build an attack from a goal-kick rather than losing it to the other team from a long kick up-field.
Choosing a Formation - There are two main formations that I use that I have found to be the most successful, helping me to win back to back promotions. I use one for home games and one for away games:
The tactics you choose for your team can also have a bearing on the success of your team, it is another vital aspect and so is important to get right. In this section I will give you some tips for setting up your formation, tactics and set pieces.
The first thing to do is to set up your formation, I have always found that the best and most effective way to do this is by using 'Tactic Creator' in the tactics screen '+ Add Tactic', this is a wizard that helps you put your formation and tactics together.
Match Preparation - If I have a Home Game I set the Focus as Attacking Movement, and Defensive Positioning for Away Games. However if I am playing a much weaker team if it is home or away I will Focus on Attacking Movement, and if I am playing a much stronger team I will Focus on Defensive Positioning.
(for more information on setting up your match preparation, team & individual training visit the Training page)
Goalkeeper Instructions - Go to Tactics>Player>Goalkeeper>Show Instructions>Defensive and set Distribution to Defender Collect and set Distribute To to DL or DR (whichever is the better player). This set up makes it much easier for you to keep the ball and build an attack from a goal-kick rather than losing it to the other team from a long kick up-field.
Choosing a Formation - There are two main formations that I use that I have found to be the most successful, helping me to win back to back promotions. I use one for home games and one for away games:
Passing - Shorter (more accurate and avoids giving the ball away)
Creative Freedom - Default (this will give creative freedom to the players who can handle it)
Closing Down - Press More (gives the opposition less time on the ball)
Tackling - Default (will automatically assign each player according to their abilities)
Marking - Man Marking (the most effective way of marking means that each of the oppositions players are marked)
Crossing - Default (the player will play the most effective cross depending on the situation)
Roaming - Stick to position (particularly in lower leagues prevents players being caught out of position)
Creative Freedom - Default (this will give creative freedom to the players who can handle it)
Closing Down - Press More (gives the opposition less time on the ball)
Tackling - Default (will automatically assign each player according to their abilities)
Marking - Man Marking (the most effective way of marking means that each of the oppositions players are marked)
Crossing - Default (the player will play the most effective cross depending on the situation)
Roaming - Stick to position (particularly in lower leagues prevents players being caught out of position)
Set Pieces
Set pieces can be a good way of clinching a vital goal that could win you the match, so here's some tips to help you set your team up for set pieces:
Attacking Corners - Set right and left corners to 6 yard box as this is the most dangerous area to play the ball and you can then set your team to attack this area.
Free Kicks - Set right and left free kicks to best header, these are harder to defend against and the free kick taker will always play the ball to the best heading player making a goal more likely.
Individual Player instructions - I always have my two central defenders attacking during corners as they have good attributes for heading, height and jumping (the left/right backs will cover defensive duties). Assign your two central defenders (or best heading players if defenders are no good) one to challenge the keeper and one to attack near post, as the ball will be played into that area they will be well placed to get a head on the ball and the player challenging the keeper will get in the goalkeepers way and hopefully nip the ball away from him. In one season this tactic meant my central defenders notched up about 25 goals between them.
Defending Corners & Free kicks- It is very easy to concede easy goals on corners and free kicks, especially with the default settings. You need to set each individual players instructions for corners and free kicks to prevent conceding too many goals.
It is always important to have a player marking each post (this is usually set as default anyway). I always feel it is best to crowd out the penalty area, so i set all of my players apart from one striker to man mark and a couple of more attacking players (such as your wingers) set to go back. The remaining striker should be set to stay forward so you have the option to attack on the break.
Set pieces can be a good way of clinching a vital goal that could win you the match, so here's some tips to help you set your team up for set pieces:
Attacking Corners - Set right and left corners to 6 yard box as this is the most dangerous area to play the ball and you can then set your team to attack this area.
Free Kicks - Set right and left free kicks to best header, these are harder to defend against and the free kick taker will always play the ball to the best heading player making a goal more likely.
Individual Player instructions - I always have my two central defenders attacking during corners as they have good attributes for heading, height and jumping (the left/right backs will cover defensive duties). Assign your two central defenders (or best heading players if defenders are no good) one to challenge the keeper and one to attack near post, as the ball will be played into that area they will be well placed to get a head on the ball and the player challenging the keeper will get in the goalkeepers way and hopefully nip the ball away from him. In one season this tactic meant my central defenders notched up about 25 goals between them.
Defending Corners & Free kicks- It is very easy to concede easy goals on corners and free kicks, especially with the default settings. You need to set each individual players instructions for corners and free kicks to prevent conceding too many goals.
It is always important to have a player marking each post (this is usually set as default anyway). I always feel it is best to crowd out the penalty area, so i set all of my players apart from one striker to man mark and a couple of more attacking players (such as your wingers) set to go back. The remaining striker should be set to stay forward so you have the option to attack on the break.
Player Roles - Keep the default set roles
Player Duties - Keep the default set duties
Starting Strategy - This is the best staring strategy as it gives you some time in the first few minutes of the game to assess whether you need to be more attacking or defensive.
Download 4-5-1 Tactic set up for Lower League Teams
(Copy downloaded file into My Documents>Sports Interactive>Football Manager 2013>Tactics and then import into your game in the tactics screen, Tactic>Manage Tactics>Import)
Player Duties - Keep the default set duties
Starting Strategy - This is the best staring strategy as it gives you some time in the first few minutes of the game to assess whether you need to be more attacking or defensive.
Download 4-5-1 Tactic set up for Lower League Teams
(Copy downloaded file into My Documents>Sports Interactive>Football Manager 2013>Tactics and then import into your game in the tactics screen, Tactic>Manage Tactics>Import)
4-4-2
This formation is ideal for Npower League 1, Npower championship and Premier League teams, as the quality of players starts to get better in these leagues.
Here's some tips on how to set up your formation for 4-4-2 in 'tactic creator':
Philosophy - Set your philosophy to balanced as this proves the most successful and is less likely to cause problems.
Playing Style -
This formation is ideal for Npower League 1, Npower championship and Premier League teams, as the quality of players starts to get better in these leagues.
Here's some tips on how to set up your formation for 4-4-2 in 'tactic creator':
Philosophy - Set your philosophy to balanced as this proves the most successful and is less likely to cause problems.
Playing Style -
Passing - Shorter (more accurate and avoids giving the ball away)
Creative Freedom - More Expressive (players in higher leagues will now start having the quality to handle having creative freedom)
Closing Down - Press More (gives the opposition less time on the ball)
Tackling - Default (will automatically assign each player according to their abilities)
Marking - Man Marking (the most effective way of marking means that each of the oppositions players are marked)
Crossing - Default (the player will play the most effective cross depending on the situation)
Roaming - More Roaming (players in higher leagues will now start to make intelligent decisions as to roaming and be able to find space on the pitch)
Creative Freedom - More Expressive (players in higher leagues will now start having the quality to handle having creative freedom)
Closing Down - Press More (gives the opposition less time on the ball)
Tackling - Default (will automatically assign each player according to their abilities)
Marking - Man Marking (the most effective way of marking means that each of the oppositions players are marked)
Crossing - Default (the player will play the most effective cross depending on the situation)
Roaming - More Roaming (players in higher leagues will now start to make intelligent decisions as to roaming and be able to find space on the pitch)
Player Roles - Keep the default set roles
Player Duties - Keep the default set duties
Starting Strategy - This is the best staring strategy as it gives you some time in the first few minutes of the game to assess whether you need to be more attacking or defensive.
I would also set in your team instructions your lone striker as the primary target man and your supporting midfielder as the primary playmaker.
Download 4-4-2 Tactic set up for Championship & Premier League Teams
(Copy downloaded file into My Documents>Sports Interactive>Football Manager 2013>Tactics and then import into your game in the tactics screen, Tactic>Manage Tactics>Import)
Player Duties - Keep the default set duties
Starting Strategy - This is the best staring strategy as it gives you some time in the first few minutes of the game to assess whether you need to be more attacking or defensive.
I would also set in your team instructions your lone striker as the primary target man and your supporting midfielder as the primary playmaker.
Download 4-4-2 Tactic set up for Championship & Premier League Teams
(Copy downloaded file into My Documents>Sports Interactive>Football Manager 2013>Tactics and then import into your game in the tactics screen, Tactic>Manage Tactics>Import)
Other Formations
4-5-1
This formation is ideal for Blue Square Bet Premier teams and Npower League 2 teams as it is both attacking and defensive.
Here's some tips on how to set up your formation for 4-5-1 in 'tactic creator':
Philosophy - Set your philosophy to balanced as this proves the most successful and is less likely to cause problems.
Playing Style -
Passing - Shorter (more accurate and avoids giving the ball away)
Creative Freedom - Default (this will give creative freedom to the players who can handle it, once you reach the premier league set this to more expressive)
Closing Down - Press More (gives the opposition less time on the ball)
Tackling - Default (will automatically assign each player according to their abilities)
Marking - Man Marking (the most effective way of marking means that each of the oppositions players are marked)
Crossing - Default (the player will play the most effective cross depending on the situation)
Roaming - Stick to position (particularly in lower leagues prevents players being caught out of position, if you are playing in the championship or premier league you can start changing this to more roaming)
Creative Freedom - Default (this will give creative freedom to the players who can handle it, once you reach the premier league set this to more expressive)
Closing Down - Press More (gives the opposition less time on the ball)
Tackling - Default (will automatically assign each player according to their abilities)
Marking - Man Marking (the most effective way of marking means that each of the oppositions players are marked)
Crossing - Default (the player will play the most effective cross depending on the situation)
Roaming - Stick to position (particularly in lower leagues prevents players being caught out of position, if you are playing in the championship or premier league you can start changing this to more roaming)
Player Roles - Keep the default set roles
Player Duties - Keep the default set duties
Starting Strategy - This is the best starting strategy as it gives you some time in the first few minutes of the game to assess whether you need to be more attacking or defensive.
Download 4-2-3-1 Tactic set up for Lower League Teams
Download 4-2-3-1 Tactic set up for Championship & Premier League Teams
(Copy downloaded file into My Documents>Sports Interactive>Football Manager 2013>Tactics and then import into your game in the tactics screen, Tactic>Manage Tactics>Import)
Player Duties - Keep the default set duties
Starting Strategy - This is the best starting strategy as it gives you some time in the first few minutes of the game to assess whether you need to be more attacking or defensive.
Download 4-2-3-1 Tactic set up for Lower League Teams
Download 4-2-3-1 Tactic set up for Championship & Premier League Teams
(Copy downloaded file into My Documents>Sports Interactive>Football Manager 2013>Tactics and then import into your game in the tactics screen, Tactic>Manage Tactics>Import)
4-2-3-1 (Home Game Tactic)
This formation is the one I use for all home games or an away game against a much weaker team as it is more attacking and spreads the play by using wingers.
Here's some tips on how to set up your formation for 4-2-3-1 in 'tactic creator':
(N.B Default 4-2-3-1 tactic has 3 Attacking midfielders - drag the 2 outer ones to either wing to make them wingers)
Philosophy - Set your philosophy to balanced as this proves the most successful and is less likely to cause problems. Once you reach the premier league you can set this to fluid.
Playing Style -
Passing - Shorter (more accurate and avoids giving the ball away)
Creative Freedom - Default (this will give creative freedom to the players who can handle it, once you reach the premier league set this to more expressive)
Closing Down - Press More (gives the opposition less time on the ball)
Tackling - Default (will automatically assign each player according to their abilities)
Marking - Man Marking (the most effective way of marking means that each of the oppositions players are marked)
Crossing - Default (the player will play the most effective cross depending on the situation)
Roaming - Stick to position (particularly in lower leagues prevents players being caught out of position, if you are playing in the championship or premier league you can start changing this to more roaming)
Creative Freedom - Default (this will give creative freedom to the players who can handle it, once you reach the premier league set this to more expressive)
Closing Down - Press More (gives the opposition less time on the ball)
Tackling - Default (will automatically assign each player according to their abilities)
Marking - Man Marking (the most effective way of marking means that each of the oppositions players are marked)
Crossing - Default (the player will play the most effective cross depending on the situation)
Roaming - Stick to position (particularly in lower leagues prevents players being caught out of position, if you are playing in the championship or premier league you can start changing this to more roaming)
Player Roles - Keep the default set roles
Player Duties - Keep the default set duties
Starting Strategy - This is the best starting strategy as it gives you some time in the first few minutes of the game to assess whether you need to be more attacking or defensive.
Download 4-3-1-2 Tactic set up for Lower League Teams
Download 4-3-1-2 Tactic set up for Championship & Premier League Teams
(Copy downloaded file into My Documents>Sports Interactive>Football Manager 2013>Tactics and then import into your game in the tactics screen, Tactic>Manage Tactics>Import)
Player Duties - Keep the default set duties
Starting Strategy - This is the best starting strategy as it gives you some time in the first few minutes of the game to assess whether you need to be more attacking or defensive.
Download 4-3-1-2 Tactic set up for Lower League Teams
Download 4-3-1-2 Tactic set up for Championship & Premier League Teams
(Copy downloaded file into My Documents>Sports Interactive>Football Manager 2013>Tactics and then import into your game in the tactics screen, Tactic>Manage Tactics>Import)
4-3-1-2 (Away Game Tactic)
This formation is the one I use for all away games or home games against much stronger teams, or a game where I need to be a bit more defensive to ensure at least a draw as it is a more defensive tactic. With 3 central midfielders to gain control of midfield, an attacking midfielder to link up the play between the midfield and strikers, and 2 strikers to play off each other and try and grab some goals.
Here's some tips on how to set up your formation for 4-3-1-2 in 'tactic creator':
Philosophy - Set your philosophy to balanced as this proves the most successful and is less likely to cause problems. Once you reach the premier league you can set this to fluid.
Playing Style -
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