Tactics

From Soccer Manager Wiki

Soccer Manager offers you a variety of formations and an array of tactical options which are used in the modern game. You can access your clubs Tactics Page from the Main Tool Bar, which can be located on the top of the screen. The Interactive Tactics Page is the default tactics page and you can change this to the Traditional Tactics Page if you wish.

Top 5 Tactics Questions
 What is the Interactive tactics page?
 The Interactive tactics page allows you to drag and drop players into positions.
 What is the Traditional tactics page?
 The Traditional tactics page allows you to click on each player to select their position.
 Can I create my own formation?
 There is already a list of formations which you can use. I'm afraid that you cannot create your own formation.
 Can I play NMF players?
 You can play NMF players but they will not play to their full rating.
 Why are some of my players highlighted in blue?
 These players are part of your youth team. You can choose to hide them from your tactics page.

Contents 1 Tactics Selection Style 2 Interactive Tactics Page 2.1 Formation 2.2 Team Selection 2.3 Match Substitutions 2.4 Team Style 2.4.1 Tackling Style 2.4.2 Mentality 2.4.3 Passing Style 2.4.4 Attacking Style 2.4.5 Tempo 2.4.6 Pressing 2.4.7 Play Style 2.5 Player Assignments 3 Traditional Tactics Page 3.1 Auto Pick Team 3.2 Formation 3.3 Team Selection 3.4 Team Style 3.4.1 Tackling Style 3.4.2 Mentality 3.4.3 Passing Style 3.4.4 Attacking Style 3.4.5 Tempo 3.4.6 Pressing 3.4.7 Play Style 3.4.8 Player Assignments 3.5 Match Substitutions 4 ABC of Tactics 5 Help Tutorial Videos 5.1 Interactive Tactics Page tutorial video 5.2 Traditional Tactics Page tutorial video

Tactics Selection Style

Soccer Manager offers you the choice between two tactics selection styles. First, 'Interactive Style' and second, 'Traditional Style'. The Interactive Tactics Page is the default setting. To swap between the two tactics selection styles you will need to click on either 'Interactive Style' or 'Traditional Style' depending on your default settings.

Interactive Tactics Page

The Interactive Tactics Page is the default setting once you have have selected a new club. This is the preferred choice by managers to select their starting XI due to the easy click and drag feature.

Formation

The best way of determining your formation is by assessing the players in your squad. To select a formation click on the Formation tab and this will show a list of various formations. Choose the formation you want and click on it. The player positions on the tactics grid will move automatically (depending on what formation you choose).

Team Selection

To select your starting line up, click on the Team Selection tab. Before a match you will need to select a 16 man squad (consisting of a starting XI and five match day substitutes). Not everyone will always be available for selection and this will be indicated in the Info field. To select players for your starting XI simply click and drag on a squad players name and then drop the name on the relevant squad kit. This also applies for selecting your 5 substitutes. Please note that a player will perform better in his preferred position and his performance will suffer if he is played out of his natural position. The more a player is played away from his natural position, the more his performance will suffer e.g. a striker will play worse in defence then a midfield player.

To save your team selection you will need to click on the 'Confirm Team Selection' button.

Match Substitutions

To select your substitutions, click on the Substitutions tab. On each match day you are allowed to select five substitutes and three of these can be used during the game. These are three choices available:

• Winning substitutions are made when your club is winning. You select what pre-defined period of the match you want a certain player to come on to the pitch and which player he is going to replace. This is done by using the drop down menu(s) to select the player(s) then saving your changes. You don’t have to choose any substitutions if you don’t want to. But it could give you a chance to rest key players or test out a young player.

• Drawing substitutions when the match is tied to try and change the game.

• Losing substitutions for when you are losing the match and want to try and pull a goal back.

To save your substitutions you will need to click on the 'Confirm Substitutions' button.

Team Style

To select your team style, click on the Team Style tab.

Tackling Style

To select your player assignments, click on the player assignments tab. You have the option of selecting a captain, penalty taker, corner taker and free-kick taker as well as a playmaker and a target man. This is done by assessing your squad to find out who is more than likely adequate for the job. To select a player for each assignment just click on the drop down box and choose the player you want.

• Timid - Your players will be extremely cautious when they go in for the challenge and only making tackles they are certain to win.
• Soft - Your players will attempt to challenge for the ball but will not be reckless.
• Normal - Your players will go in for a fair number of challenges and battle for the 50/50’s.
• Hard - Your players will hit the opposition hard and will go in for the challenge if they have a good chance of winning the ball.
• Aggressive - Your players will go in for all challenges whether they have a chance of winning the ball or not and this could result in numerous cards.

Mentality

To select your player assignments, click on the player assignments tab. You have the option of selecting a captain, penalty taker, corner taker and free-kick taker as well as a playmaker and a target man. This is done by assessing your squad to find out who is more than likely adequate for the job. To select a player for each assignment just click on the drop down box and choose the player you want.

• Very Defensive - Your players will sit deep in their own half and not make too many forward attacking runs. Ideal to use when playing against strong opposition.
• Defensive - Your players will adopt a defensive mentality and only attack when a good opportunity arises so not to compromise the backline.
• Normal - Your side will play with both a defensive and attacking stance. Making the most out of both situations.
• Attacking - Your players will adopt an attacking mentality looking to push forward whenever a good opportunity arises.
• Very Attacking - Your team will attack at every available opportunity thinking little of their defensive duties which will leave the keeper vulnerable.

Passing Style

To select your player assignments, click on the player assignments tab. You have the option of selecting a captain, penalty taker, corner taker and free-kick taker as well as a playmaker and a target man. This is done by assessing your squad to find out who is more than likely adequate for the job. To select a player for each assignment just click on the drop down box and choose the player you want.

• Short - Your players will look to play simple short passes to the feet of their team mates. Keeping hold of the ball leading to a slow patient build-up.
• Mixed - Your players will play a mixture of passes including short/long ball and direct.
• Direct - Your players will try to play passes whenever possible directly up the field to your front men.
• Long Ball - Your players will mainly hit long balls from the back up the field of play.

Attacking Style

To select your player assignments, click on the player assignments tab. You have the option of selecting a captain, penalty taker, corner taker and free-kick taker as well as a playmaker and a target man. This is done by assessing your squad to find out who is more than likely adequate for the job. To select a player for each assignment just click on the drop down box and choose the player you want.

• Mixed - Your players will play the ball forward in a mixture of ways.
• Down Both Flanks - Your players will target their play generally down both flanks of the pitch the majority of the time.
• Down Left Flank - Your players will target their play generally down the left flank of the pitch the majority of the time.
• Down Right Flank - Your players will target their play generally down the right flank of the pitch the majority of the time.
• Through The Middle - Your players will target their play generally through the middle of the pitch the majority of the time.

Tempo

To select your player assignments, click on the player assignments tab. You have the option of selecting a captain, penalty taker, corner taker and free-kick taker as well as a playmaker and a target man. This is done by assessing your squad to find out who is more than likely adequate for the job. To select a player for each assignment just click on the drop down box and choose the player you want.

• Slow - Your players will play the game at a slow tempo.
• Normal - Your players will play the game at a normal tempo.
• Fast - Your players will play the game at a fast tempo.

Pressing

To select your player assignments, click on the player assignments tab. You have the option of selecting a captain, penalty taker, corner taker and free-kick taker as well as a playmaker and a target man. This is done by assessing your squad to find out who is more than likely adequate for the job. To select a player for each assignment just click on the drop down box and choose the player you want.

• Own Area - Your players will close down the opposition at every available opportunity within their own box.
• Own Half - Your players will close down the opposition at every available opportunity within their own half.
• All Over - Your players will close down the opposition at every available opportunity all over the pitch.

Play Style

To select your player assignments, click on the player assignments tab. You have the option of selecting a captain, penalty taker, corner taker and free-kick taker as well as a playmaker and a target man. This is done by assessing your squad to find out who is more than likely adequate for the job. To select a player for each assignment just click on the drop down box and choose the player you want.

• Counter Attack - Your players will try and play on the break either from a resulting corner or set-piece at every available opportunity.
• Men Behind Ball - This is a defensive option as your players will try to get as many men behind the ball as much as possible.
• Tight Marking - Your team in general will sit tight on the opposition players giving them as little room as possible.
• Play Offside - Your defence will play higher up the field of play in a tight defensive line trying to catch opposition players with the offside trap.
• Use Play Maker - This option enables you to use your playmaker as much as possible during the course of the game.
• Use Target Man - This option enables you to use your target man during the course of the game with your players trying to pick out as many forward passes to him as possible.

To save your team style you will need to click on the 'Confirm Team Style' button.

Player Assignments

To select your player assignments, click on the player assignments tab. You have the option of selecting a captain, penalty taker, corner taker and free-kick taker as well as a playmaker and a target man. This is done by assessing your squad to find out who is more than likely adequate for the job. To select a player for each assignment just click on the drop down box and choose the player you want.

• Captains - are usually a player who can motivate and organise your players on the pitch. Factors like age, experience, length of time at club are all things that should be assessed when choosing a captain.
• Penalty Taker - this is usually a player who has experience and will not lose his nerve at the crucial point. A striker is usually a good choice for this but other players can also do the job adequately.
• Corner Taker - this is a player who will generally take the majority of your corners whenever possible.
• Free-kick Taker - this is a player who will generally take the majority of your free-kicks whenever possible.
• Playmaker - this is a player who will be your creative inspiration on the pitch.
• Target Man - this is your front player who will act as a target for your forward players.

To save your player assignments you will need to click on the 'Confirm Team Style' button.

Traditional Tactics Page

The Traditional Tactics Page is not the default setting once you have have selected a new club. You need to click on 'Traditional Sytle' to make this your defeault setting.

Auto Pick Team

Formation

The best way of determining your formation is by assessing the players in your squad. To select a formation click on the drop down formation menu and this will show a list of various formations. Choose the formation you want then click on the save button. The player positions on the tactics grid will move automatically (depending on what formation you choose).

Team Selection

On each match day you will next to select a 16 man squad (consisting of a starting XI and five match day substitutes). Not everyone will always be available for selection and this will be indicated in the Info field. To select players for your starting XI simply click on a squad number (in the starting XI) and then click on a squad number (from 18 onwards) to change them around. This also applies for selecting your 5 substitutes. Please note that a player will perform better in his preferred position and his performance will suffer if he is played out of his natural position. The more a player is played away from his natural position, the more his performance will suffer e.g. a striker will play worse in defence than a midfield player.

Team Style

As well as choosing what formation you want your team to adopt, you will also be able to decide on the team’s style of play.

Tackling Style

• Timid - Your players will be extremely cautious when they go in for the challenge and only making tackles they are certain to win.
• Soft - Your players will attempt to challenge for the ball but will not be reckless.
• Normal - Your players will go in for a fair number of challenges and battle for the 50/50’s.
• Hard - Your players will hit the opposition hard and will go in for the challenge if they have a good chance of winning the ball.
• Aggressive - Your players will go in for all challenges whether they have a chance of winning the ball or not and this could result in numerous cards.

Mentality

• Very Defensive - Your players will sit deep in their own half and not make too many forward attacking runs. Ideal to use when playing against strong opposition.
• Defensive - Your players will adopt a defensive mentality and only attack when a good opportunity arises so not to compromise the backline.
• Normal - Your side will play with both a defensive and attacking stance. Making the most out of both situations.
• Attacking - Your players will adopt an attacking mentality looking to push forward whenever a good opportunity arises.
• Very Attacking - Your team will attack at every available opportunity thinking little of their defensive duties which will leave the keeper vulnerable.

Passing Style

• Short - Your players will look to play simple short passes to the feet of their team mates. Keeping hold of the ball leading to a slow patient build-up.
• Mixed - Your players will play a mixture of passes including short/long ball and direct.
• Direct - Your players will try to play passes whenever possible directly up the field to your front men.
• Long Ball - Your players will mainly hit long balls from the back up the field of play.

Attacking Style

• Mixed - Your players will play the ball forward in a mixture of ways.
• Down Both Flanks - Your players will target their play generally down both flanks of the pitch the majority of the time.
• Down Left Flank - Your players will target their play generally down the left flank of the pitch the majority of the time.
• Down Right Flank - Your players will target their play generally down the right flank of the pitch the majority of the time.
• Through The Middle - Your players will target their play generally through the middle of the pitch the majority of the time.

Tempo

• Slow - Your players will play the game at a slow tempo.
• Normal - Your players will play the game at a normal tempo.
• Fast - Your players will play the game at a fast tempo.

Pressing

• Own Area - Your players will close down the opposition at every available opportunity within their own box.
• Own Half - Your players will close down the opposition at every available opportunity within their own half.
• All Over - Your players will close down the opposition at every available opportunity all over the pitch.

Play Style

• Counter Attack - Your players will try and play on the break either from a resulting corner or set-piece at every available opportunity.
• Men Behind Ball - This is a defensive option as your players will try to get as many men behind the ball as much as possible.
• Tight Marking - Your team in general will sit tight on the opposition players giving them as little room as possible.
• Play Offside - Your defence will play higher up the field of play in a tight defensive line trying to catch opposition players with the offside trap.
• Use Play Maker - This option enables you to use your playmaker as much as possible during the course of the game.
• Use Target Man - This option enables you to use your target man during the course of the game with your players trying to pick out as many forward passes to him as possible.

To save your team style you will need to click on the 'Confirm Team Style' button.

Player Assignments

You have the option of selecting a captain, penalty taker, corner taker and free-kick taker as well as a playmaker and a target man. This is done by assessing your squad to find out who is more than likely adequate for the job. To select a player for each assignment just click on the drop down box and choose the player you want.

• Captains - are usually a player who can motivate and organise your players on the pitch. Factors like age, experience, length of time at club are all things that should be assessed when choosing a captain.
• Penalty Taker - this is usually a player who has experience and will not lose his nerve at the crucial point. A striker is usually a good choice for this but other players can also do the job adequately.
• Corner Taker - this is a player who will generally take the majority of your corners whenever possible.
• Free-kick Taker - this is a player who will generally take the majority of your free-kicks whenever possible.
• Playmaker - this is a player who will be your creative inspiration on the pitch.
• Target Man - this is your front player who will act as a target for your forward players.

To save your player assignments you will need to click on the 'Save Player Assignments' button.

Match Substitutions

On each match day you are allowed to select five substitutes and three of these can be used during the game. There are three choices available:

Winning substitutions are made when your club is winning. You select what pre defined period of the match you want a certain player to come on to the pitch and which player he is going to replace. This is done by using the drop down menu(s) to select the player(s) then saving your changes. You don’t have to choose any substitutions if you don’t want to. But it could give you a chance to rest key players or test out a young player.

Drawing substitutions when the match is tied to try and change the game.

Losing substitutions for when you are losing the match and want to try and pull a goal back.

ABC of Tactics

For further help on formations and tactics please view the Help Tutorial Videos or the ABC of Tactics page.

Help Tutorial Videos

Interactive Tactics Page tutorial video

Traditional Tactics Page tutorial video

• Other Tutorial Videos