The game offers a number of preset gameplans that you can choose from if you don’t want to design one yourself. All of these are fully functioning gameplans that you can choose and use straight away. Each gameplan provides three pairs of formations to choose from, an attack formation and a defence formation, with the first one mentioned being the default, but you are free to use any formation you like.
Picking a preset gameplan is a useful way of getting started, as you can always tweak whatever parts of it you want to tailor it to exactly how you want your team to play.
The gameplans also include three instructions that are not found in Team Tactic Instructions - Attack Width, Defence Width, and Block Height. These instructions set the width bars in the attack and defence formations, as well as the two line bars in the defence formation. You are free to move these bars as you see fit i.e. you are not stuck with where the gameplan sets the bars.
Width Levels: Each preset will set the width bars for both the attack and defence formations. The possible setting for widths are: 'Very Wide', 'Wide', 'Standard', 'Narrow', 'Very Narrow'
Block Height Levels: Each preset will set the height of the 'Line Of Enagement' and the 'Defensive Line' in the defence formation. The two lines combined are refered to as the 'Block Height'. The possible settings for block Heights are: 'Very High', 'High', 'Mid', 'Low', or 'Very Low, determining how far up or down the pitch the lines are set.
Note: The preset gameplans below are just versions of popular football tactics. There are many ways these types of tactics can be simulated, so do not think that these gameplans are the only ways to create a specific tactic. In fact, you may well disagree with some of the instructions and want to change them to get the tactic working exactly as you think it should. The system is designed for you to do this, and you are encouraged to experiment and change whatever tactics you think best. The presets are not set in stone, so don't be nervous about changing any instructions!
All Out Attack[]
A high-tempo attack with lots of movement and a willingness to take risks in the passing game and encourage players to dribble forward with the ball. If they win back possession, they will counter-attack very aggressively as well. In defence, they are slightly more measured, but still press with high intensity from a mid-block.
The team has very high pressing intensity and will also counter-press very aggressively – they want the ball back as quickly as possible! When they do have possession, they adopt a high-tempo direct passing attack. They use a very high block in defence and if they do win the ball back, they counter-attack aggressively.
A middle ground type of tactic. Attack plays a direct style of football, not overly cautious or aggressive in its risk-taking. Some counter-attacking when winning the ball but careful not to commit too many players, and some counter-pressing when the ball is lost, but not to any extreme. In defence, the team maintains a mid-block and standard width with some pressing.
The team uses a slow tempo and takes little risk in their passing, aiming to maintain possession for as long as possible and wait for an opportunity to launch an attack. They are cautious when counter-attacking but aggressive in the counter-press when they lose the ball. They are fairly well-balanced in defence, using a high block
In attack the team is balanced, using medium passes and a standard tempo, but when they counter-attack they are ultra-aggressive, throwing players forward with abandon. When they lose the ball they will counter-press aggressively to win it back quickly. In defence they take up a low block, tackling aggressively with high pressing intensity.
Looks to keep its shape in attack and maintain possession as much as possible. Will counter-attack if given the chance, but won’t risk losing too much shape by doing so. Rather than counter-press when the ball is lost, the team will quickly fall back into their low block and narrow block and defend from there, aiming to contain the opposition
Structured football using medium-length passing with a fast tempo, aiming to advance the ball quickly down the field. In defence plays the offside trap with a mid-block. Team counter-attacks aggressively when they win the ball, and will also counter-press aggressively when they lose it.
The aim is to keep as many players behind the ball as possible in defence, so the team uses a very low block alongside a narrow width. If the ball is lost they will get into a defensive position as quickly as possible rather than counter-pressing to win it back. In attack, they play it safe, but are aggressive in the counter-attack if they do steal the ball.
The team aims to get the ball into the attack as quickly as possible by passing the ball long, often bypassing midfield. Defensively they mark tight and tackle early and aggressively, within a narrow and low block. When they win the ball they are aggressive in counter-attacking, but when they lose it they are cautious with any counter-press.
A slow patient build-up in attack, keeping possession with lots of short passing, and a cautious approach to counter-attacking. In defence uses a very high block with an offside trap and a high pressing intensity.
In attack, they get the ball to the flanks and attack down the outside, looking for crosses when they can, and doing it all at a high tempo. They are also not afraid of switching play from one flank to the other when the opportunity arrives. In defence, they take a balanced approach but will counter-attack aggressively if given the chance.