Custom FIFA tactic possession

Now we know the style of play for lots of FIFA players is counter attacking long ball pace abuse and if that is how you play this is probably no help to you. If however you like to play controlled possession football with attacking flair this could really help your game. We tried all the default tactics using the dpad in game to select them, such as team press, counter attack and even possession. None of these seemed to give us the player positioning, response and runs that we required. Also defensively we seemed exposed from through balls often. We will create a video showing this custom tactic in action beating much better teams using entertaining football.

We have tried various custom tactics and so far this is the one which seems to match our style of play. It also works best with 4-2-3-1, 3-5-2 and 4-1-2-1-2 as these are formations where players are in good positions to pass and move. Notice the tactic uses organised build up play meaning players don’t all move loosely out of position all the time. Also to create custom tactics you edit an existing team in the offline Play menu choosing any team. We chose Colombia and it is our 2nd custom tactic so shows as Custom 2 Colombia.

Build up play

In high 60s which means it is just creeping into the “fast” build up. What this does is move every player forwards at a medium pace with the midfielders and strikers looking to move into space.

Then Passing around 25 which makes it “short”. According to the graphics showing this on the small pitch icon the players come towards the player with the ball. This is the opposite of what is shown on the “fast” build up play above where they run forward. In game the combination of these two settings makes the team move forward and players run into space but then turn looking for the pass.

As we mentioned organised build up means your right winger or cam will stay on the right and your central midfielder will stay in the middle. This helps us especially playing a central cam who tends to be the playmaker. In defence this helps keep your defenders back and in a line too.

Chance creation

Passing again high 60s which again means it creeps into the “risky” zone. Strikers, wingers and cams will make runs behind defenders so you can play through passes or small lob balls or 1-2s which are very effective around the box. With the “short” passing combination above they will not be offside as much though.

For crossing we have this set to less than 20. This is very important for our style of play and as you will see from the video we score lots of goals using a clever technique. Most people expect wingers or wide cams to cross the ball. But when you get close to the edge of the box or to the line a small lob through ball back towards the penalty area or even further back will see your midfielder or striker run onto the ball with momentum allowing him to shoot unchallenged. It is such a good way to score on FIFA and needs the combination of all these settings to work well.

Shooting we have around 75 which means when in the box players are expecting to shoot. We need this so their body angle is ready to shoot basically and facing the correct way.

Positioning again as discussed organised so the strikers are the strikers and they haven’t ended up on the wing too much etc.

Defence

Pressure set to high 60s so the whole team press fairly high up the pitch forcing the opposition deeper in their half. We want this because it adds pressure to the defenders playing the ball out to midfield or attack. However we don’t want it crazy high as counter attack lob through balls could be dangerous against us with lots of space behind. When we tried lower pressing players had too much time to launch passes forward.

Aggression set to mid 30s which seems to give us a good distance away from the player with the ball but tracks them. As they go to run or pass it gives a great amount of time to step in for the tackle. Works well with lob through balls as the defender just gives a bit of space so the striker has to make up ground running. Though we all know it is difficult to defend against lob through balls and advise switching to a defender before the ball is launched forward once you know your opponent likes to try it.

Team width around 60 keeping it fairly normal. Don’t want too wide as most danger will be down middle when know how to defend crosses. Check out our video on defending crosses and corners if not seen it. FIFAAddiction Youtube channel linked top right of website and on home page.

Then finally we have defender line set as cover. We tried setting with offside trap but with a high line already often the players are in opposing half and need to be ready to turn and run if lob through balls.