Before each match, you hold a pep talk giving each player specific instructions as to how you wish them to play. Depending on the tactics you choose, this will give an advantage or disadvantage when the game is played. You should try to play to the strengths of your players and exploit weaknesses in your opponents. Studying your scouting reports can give some clues on suitable tactics.
Having individual tactics for every player is designed to give you a high degree of control over how the game is played and allow you to form a game plan. It will take time and experience to discover how to get the most out of your footballers.
There are nine tactics for each position. You can give different footballers the same tactic. The choices are listed below:
Goalkeepers
1) For Shots; stay on line, Crosses;
stay on line, Clearances; boot ball to forwards.
2) For Shots; stay on line, Crosses;
stay on line, Clearances; pass to defenders.
3) For Shots; stay on line, Crosses;
meet the ball, Clearances; boot ball to forwards.
4) For Shots; stay on line, Crosses;
meet the ball, Clearances; pass to defenders.
5) For Shots; meet the ball,
Crosses; stay on line, Clearances; boot ball to forwards.
6) For Shots; meet the ball,
Crosses; stay on line, Clearances; pass to defenders.
7) For Shots; meet the ball,
Crosses; meet the ball, Clearances; boot ball to forwards.
8) For Shots; meet the ball,
Crosses; meet the ball, Clearances; pass to defenders.
9) Quickly move off the goal
line, trying to collect the ball.
Defenders
1) Man to man mark, making it
difficult for opponents to create space.
2) Play the long ball, booting
the ball up field to attackers.
3) Support midfield when appropriate.
4) Support attackers when appropriate.
5) Play as a winger, taking the
ball down the left side, supporting attack.
6) Play as a winger, taking the
ball down the right side, supporting attack.
7) Push up to play opponents
off-side.
8) Hard tackler, harries attackers.
9) Play as sweeper.
Midfielders
1) Ball winner, hard tackler,
making it difficult for opponents to create space.
2) Ball distributor, passing
the ball into the penalty area for strikers to pick up.
3) Support defence when appropriate.
4) Support attackers when appropriate.
5) Play the ball down the left
wing, crossing into the box.
6) Play the ball down the right
wing, crossing into the box.
7) When in range of the goals
take long range shots.
8) Try to get in close to the
goals for tap ins.
9) Try to create space for other
players by moving about quickly.
Attackers
1) Run with the ball from outside
the area, into the box.
2) Goal creator, laying the ball
off for other strikers.
3) Go back to support defence,
usually only for set pieces.
4) Support midfield when appropriate.
5) Left winger.
6) Right winger.
7) When in range of the goals
take long range shots.
8) Hang around in the goal mouth
looking for tap ins.
9) Move about quickly to make
himself difficult to mark, and pull defenders out of position.
Note: A player will always do his best for the team, taking a full part in the match. The tactic chosen will only be used if the player has a choice in his actions. If an attacker is told to take shots from a distance but during the match finds himself in the goal mouth with a scoring chance, he will take it.