Team instructions | Tactics FM 2014 Guide

Style

You may choose from: Very rigid, Rigid, Balanced, Fluid, Very fluid. From left to right, the more rigid style, the less freedom the players have on the pitch. Defenders will only defend, attackers - attack. If you choose a more fluid style, the players will have more tactical freedom - attack will more often turn into defence and vice versa.

Mentality

Contain - very defensive mentality, all players focused on keeping the ball and not letting the opponent score. Very useful at the end of the match, when you want to keep the score as it is. Defensive - also a defensive mentality, however the players will pass the ball to attackers for a counter attack. Counter - defensive playing on your side with looking for an opportunity to counter, defenders take part in the action. Standard - Balance between offence and defence. Control - mentality mainly for teams that keep the ball, setting the game's pace. It's an offensive mentality, effective against teams that prefer counters. Attack - more offensive mentality, recommended against weak opponents to push them into defence. Be careful not to get countered. Overload - mentality for the end of the match, when you tell all players to attack, hoping to score a goal.

Go route one

Immediate, fast getting the ball into the attacking third, may result in scoring an unexpected goal.

More direct passing

Quicker transition from back to front with the ball covering longer distances.

Retain possession

Instructs players to try to keep hold of the ball.

Shorter passing

Shorter, more precise passing, retaining the ball for a longer time.

Pass into space

Passing the ball into free spaces.

Work ball into box

Tiki-taka, a lot of passes, retaining the ball until a breakthrough occurs.

Play out of defence

Instructs defenders to pass their way out from the back without long passes.

Pump ball into box

High, long passes into opposition's penalty area.

Clear ball to flanks

Passing to attackers that wait on the sides of the pitch.

Hit early crosses

Getting the ball into the penalty area as soon as possible.

Float crosses

High, floating crosses with ball hanging in the air, gives your attackers time to position themselves.

Drill crosses

Quick, powerful crosses, good for fast and strong attackers.

Run at defence

Perfect for well-trained players, instructs them to run at the opposition more often than by default.

Shoot on sight

More shooting from outside of the penalty area.

Exploit the flanks

Instructs to take advantage of wide play, useful if you have good side midfielders and defenders.

Exploit the left flank

Wide play on the left side of the pitch, useful when you notice that one of opposition's defenders is weak.

Exploit the right flank

Same as above, just on another side.

Exploit the middle

The team will play in the middle, good when you have an experienced playmaker.

Look for overlap

Players will keep hold of the ball until supporting player comes closer and run around the opposition.

Hassle enemies

Instructs the players to give the opposition little time and space on the ball, attempting to force a mistake.

Stand off opponents

Gives the opponents more time while your players retreat to defence.

Get stuck in

Instructs the players to be aggressive and strong. It increases risk of fouls, so you should watch out for referees who give many cards.

Stay on feet

Players will usually stay on their feet while making tackles instead of going to ground.

Use tighter marking

The defenders will stay close to the opposition in defensive situations.

Use offside trap

Makes your defenders use offside trap. With poor cooperation in your team you risk that you'll fail and the opposition will get to your goal easily.

Play wider

Makes your players look to stretch the pitch and play wider.

Play narrower

Your players will look to narrow the pitch, they will try to play in the middle.

Much higher defensive line

Moves the defensive line towards the middle of the field, it will make intercepting opposition's long passes easier (as long as their attackers aren't faster than your defenders).

Push higher up

Just like the instruction above, it moves the defenders towards the center.

Drop deeper

Moves your players to your side.

Much deeper defensive line

Moves your defensive line as close to your own goal as possible.

Stick to positions

Makes the players stick to their set positions, limits their tactical freedom.

Roam for positions

The players will look for positions, recommended for fluid playing style.

Allow wide players to swap

It allows the players in wide attacking positions swap during the match and stay in their new positions for a while.

Play wider

Makes your players look to stretch the pitch and play wider.

Play narrower

Your players will look to narrow the pitch, they will try to play in the middle.

Much higher defensive line

Moves the defensive line towards the middle of the field, it will make intercepting opposition's long passes easier (as long as their attackers aren't faster than your defenders).

Push higher up

Just like the instruction above, it moves the defenders towards the center.

Drop deeper

Moves your players to your side.

Much deeper defensive line

Moves your defensive line as close to your own goal as possible.

Stick to positions

Makes the players stick to their set positions, limits their tactical freedom.