My FM questions

[Passacaglia]

1. What exactly is offsides?

2. When looking at tactics, what exactly do the arrows mean (for example, in the 4-4-2, the wingers have arrows going forward, and in one of the 5-3-2, the forwards have arrows going to the outside), and how do I add/remove them?

3. How big a deal is it to play someone out of position?

[Passacaglia]

4. Why can't I run in windowed mode?

[Huckleberry]

1. When the attacking team plays the ball forward, if the most forward attacker is not even with or behind at least two defenders w.r.t. the goal line, it's offsides (the keeper plus another defender).

[DaddyTorgo]

1) Offside is when the offensive player is closer to the goal than the last defender when the ball is last touched by a player on his team. There are exceptions (ie you cant be offside on a corner kick), but within the "run of play" you will see offside called when one of your players plays a ball through to one of your other players when the second guy is closer to the opponents goal than the last defender (not counting the goalie of course).

2) I have always thought of the arrows as ways to tell your players how far awaay from their position they can go, and in what direction. I figure if i have a midfielder and give him an arrow forward he'll know that he can run further forward with or without the ball, and the opposite being true for a defender. It's a way of telling players "this is your starting position, but this is how far out of position you can go and where."

3) The benefits/penalty for playing players out of "natural" position is player specific. It will affect some players more than others. You just have to experiement with a particular guy and find out.

4) I don't know. I am wondering this too on my new computer. Someone somewhere I saw once posted what was necessary to run the game in windowed mode, but I can't remember it. Anyone that knows, that'd be great.

[Passacaglia]

Thanks for the help, guys. With respect to 2), how do I give someone an arrow, or take it away? I've figured out that I can take away an arrow by moving a guy to a different position, then moving him back, but I haven't figured out how to add one.

[Passacaglia]

And about 1), that's about what I thought the definition was, but I thought the placement of the ball was a factor somewhere. I feel like my guys are offsides all the time, but it doesn't get called -- is it a lot like holding, where it happens, but doesn't always get called?

[DaddyTorgo]

right-click on the guy and then drag to the spot where you want the arrow to go Pass.

placement of the ball only matters insofar as your player must be onside when the ball is last touched by a member of his team.

[Passacaglia]

right-click on the guy and then drag to the spot where you want the arrow to go Pass


ooh....thanks!

[bbor]

I think the arrows represent not how far a player can go but the fact that you want him to push forward or hang back.

[moriarty]

2) I have always thought of the arrows as ways to tell your players how far awaay from their position they can go, and in what direction. I figure if i have a midfielder and give him an arrow forward he'll know that he can run further forward with or without the ball, and the opposite being true for a defender. It's a way of telling players "this is your starting position, but this is how far out of position you can go and where."

Yeah, it's like gives them directions on where to make their runs. For example, if you have midfield wingers you can drag the arrow all the way up to the corner to encourage them to make deep runs (w/ or w/out the ball) to the corners for crosses. However, doing so means they're more likely to get caught and not get back on defense. Same thing with defenders .... do you want them to come up and participate in the attack or hold back?

[Marc Vaughan]

2) I have always thought of the arrows as ways to tell your players how far awaay from their position they can go, and in what direction. I figure if i have a midfielder and give him an arrow forward he'll know that he can run further forward with or without the ball, and the opposite being true for a defender. It's a way of telling players "this is your starting position, but this is how far out of position you can go and where."
Thats not far off the scope of it - basically the arrows indicate whether a player has a more advanced or restricted position than would normally be the case for a player in that position.

Eg. Midfielder with an arrow going forward, will operate as a midfielder, however when his side have the ball he will move forward more than a 'normal' midfielder, this setting is normally used for attacking midfielders in the center (ie. Paul Scholes) or for wingers (ie. Ryan Giggs).

Defensive midfielder with a run back towards defense, the player will tend to act as a defensive midfielder when his team have the ball, but fall back and act largely as a defender when his team lose posession.

Bear in mind that arrows are inherantly 'dangerous' (ie. don't get too carried away with them) - the more running a player does (and a player with arrows will cover more ground than one without normally speaking) the more tired he will become, also unless a player is reasonably intelligent (ie. decisions, positioning, anticipation etc.) you're running the very real risk of a player being in the wrong place at the wrong time (ie. your wing back sitting on the half-way line when the opposition have broken with the ball down the wing ...).

[Lucky Jim]

As far as number 2:

Forward arrows are where the player will move to when your team has possession. Backward arrows are where the player will move when the other team has possession. Sideways arrows seem to mean that the player will position himself somewhere between the two locations from what I've seen in the 2d display.

As far as what's the point of having forward and backward arrows when it seems that one would be enough? There are some important differences between a player that is positioned as an AMR with an arrow back to DMR and a player positioned as a DMR with an arrow forward to AMR. If you use backward arrows with a player who has an attacking mentality and forward runs checked that player will run forward with attacks but will sprint back to get into defensive position. A player like this should have high stamina. On the other hand a player with forward arrows will look to get forward as much as possible but will be less concerned with moving backward when possession is lost and will be more likely to defend where they are up the pitch.

And to give arrows you should right click and hold on the player's positional circle in the tactical screen, while holding drag in the direction you would like an arrow.

This is the fairly common understanding of arrows and such that the tactical forum over at SI have come up with and there are some good discussions over there if you have the time to check them out.

Obviously I was writing this while MV was posting and now feel stupid :D

[Marc Vaughan]

4. Why can't I run in windowed mode?
The game runs in 1024x768 - so if you want to use windowed mode your desk-top needs to be in a resolution above this.

If you're desperate to run windowed mode for some reason and want to leave your desktop in 1024x768 then launching the game with the -small_screen option will run it in 800x600 resolution, but imho its a bit cramped and naff (which is why its a 'hidden option' rather than in the GUI).

[DaddyTorgo]

The game runs in 1024x768 - so if you want to use windowed mode your desk-top needs to be in a resolution above this.

If you're desperate to run windowed mode for some reason and want to leave your desktop in 1024x768 then launching the game with the -small_screen option will run it in 800x600 resolution, but imho its a bit cramped and naff (which is why its a 'hidden option' rather than in the GUI).my desktop is set in 1200x800 Marc and still when I tried to run in windowed mode it gave me sort of "the game wont' allow you to do this" message. I was...confused to say the least.

Are there additional requirements? Color depth or anything? Because I have a nice GeForce card in this laptop, I figured it would finally be able to handle it.

[Lucky Jim]

If it helps as far as the windowed question, I always use the "Windows" button (the one between ctrl and alt on the bottom left of most keyboards with the Windows logo on it) to minimize FM and do other things. It brings up your start menu and minimizes the program. And then when you're ready to go back into FM just click on it in your taskbar at the bottom of the screen and maximizes back open. I've never had any problems moving in and out like this.

[ISiddiqui]

it gave me sort of "the game wont' allow you to do this" message.
As a Windows error or within the game (after you click off the 'Full Screen' option)?

[Marc Vaughan]

As far as number 2:
Obviously I was writing this while MV was posting and now feel stupid :D
Hey - I thought your explanation was easier to understand than mine :D

[DaddyTorgo]

as a windows error. Definately a little windows error box. So I guess it's something with my settings still not being right even though the resolution i have is good. Which is why I was hoping someone would list all the requirements if there are more, so that I can figure out what it is. Another "problem" i'm having if-you-will is just since I installed on this computer I find that the game refuses to pause and let me click through news messages, it stops on that day but then it's like I double-clicked on "Continue" and it just keeps going until it runs into something for me to interact with. Is this a part of 5.0.3 or is it related to the fact that my new computer has way more power? Anyone have any input?

[Marc Vaughan]

my desktop is set in 1200x800 Marc and still when I tried to run in windowed mode it gave me sort of "the game wont' allow you to do this" message. I was...confused to say the least.

Are there additional requirements? Color depth or anything? Because I have a nice GeForce card in this laptop, I figured it would finally be able to handle it.

Hmmmmm quick random guess - the game uses 1024x768, in windowed mode the window actually takes up a little more than that because of the extra pixels in the title bar and footer surrounding the window.

You're running in a 'wide screen' style resolution and I'm guessing that the 800 pixel depth of it isn't enough to fix in the screen height with the title bar and footer on the window, hence windows is failing to allow the game to switch to a window.

To check if this is the case can you try moving to a standard high res setting (say 1600x1200 - thats what I'm using at the mo) and seeing if you can change into windowed mode ok.

Hope this helps,

Marc

[DaddyTorgo]

Hmmmmm quick random guess - the game uses 1024x768, in windowed mode the window actually takes up a little more than that because of the extra pixels in the title bar and footer surrounding the window.

You're running in a 'wide screen' style resolution and I'm guessing that the 800 pixel depth of it isn't enough to fix in the screen height with the title bar and footer on the window, hence windows is failing to allow the game to switch to a window.

To check if this is the case can you try moving to a standard high res setting (say 1600x1200 - thats what I'm using at the mo) and seeing if you can change into windowed mode ok.

Hope this helps,

Marc
Yeah that certainly sounds like a quick guess Marc. :p I never would have thought of that. Awesome. Thanks!

[Marc Vaughan]

PS> If you are now running in windowed on a high res try stretching the window - some people like to do this to get as much info on the screen at once (as this doesn't just resize the text, the game actually recalibrates its display to allow more data to be displayed, making tables etc. larger) ... I personally like the standard layout as its easier on my eyes (I'm fussy like that ;) ) ... but I know some people like being able to see all their players on screen at once.

[Passacaglia]

Okay, so here's another (stupid) question about offsides: What's to stop me from playing something crazy like 5 midfielders and 5 forwards? Wouldn't the other team's forwards always be offsides?

[SirFozzie]

Ah.. there's a catch. You cannot be called for offsides in your own half.

So sure you can do that, as long as you don't mind people taking free runs at your goalkeeper all throughout the game.

[JHandley]

Pass, placement of the ball is important. The UK folks are gonna hate me for this, but think of the ball as a moving line of scrimmage. As long as everyone is behind the ball, then everyone is onside. If you get ahead of the ball, that's when the two defenders between the player and the goal line comes into play.

So, simply playing with no defenders wouldn't cause everyone to immediately be offside, as the attacking team would simply stay behind the ball and drive up the pitch, unfettered, at your goal.

[Desnudo]

Okay, so here's another (stupid) question about offsides: What's to stop me from playing something crazy like 5 midfielders and 5 forwards? Wouldn't the other team's forwards always be offsides?

You would actually get a lot of offsides calls. But, like Sir Fozzie mentioned, since players aren't offsides in their own half, forwards would just hang out at the midfield stripe and run onto long balls. The computer does actually switch to something close to the empty backfield formation at the end of games though, a 2-3-5.

[GoldenEagle]

The rule book defintnion of offside is that an attacker can not be past the second to last defender when the ball is released. The keeper counts as a defender. A player can not be offsideon a throw-in, corner kicck, or in his own half of the field.

[thealmighty]

You will also not be called for offsides if you are not a part of the play.

For example, if some lazy striker walks back toward his half on the left side of the pitch, all alone as the last player, and the ball is suddenly brought back on the right side, it is not going to be called offsides if the lazy one on the left stays away and makes no move to be in the play.

This could account for some of what you think is offside all the time, Pass.



or not. :)

[rexallllsc]

Bear in mind that arrows are inherantly 'dangerous' (ie. don't get too carried away with them) - the more running a player does (and a player with arrows will cover more ground than one without normally speaking) the more tired he will become, also unless a player is reasonably intelligent (ie. decisions, positioning, anticipation etc.) you're running the very real risk of a player being in the wrong place at the wrong time (ie. your wing back sitting on the half-way line when the opposition have broken with the ball down the wing ...).

For mids and forwards, does positioning matter, or is it off-the-ball? If it does matter, what's the diff. between the two?

[3ric]

You will also not be called for offsides if you are not a part of the play.

For example, if some lazy striker walks back toward his half on the left side of the pitch, all alone as the last player, and the ball is suddenly brought back on the right side, it is not going to be called offsides if the lazy one on the left stays away and makes no move to be in the play.

This could account for some of what you think is offside all the time, Pass.



or not. :)
ManU striker Ruud van Nistelrooy actually uses this by intentionally standing off side and forcing the defense to make the choice of leaving him open. He stays where he is, waiting for the ball to pass him, and then he's usually in great position to pounce on the rebound.

[Lucky Jim]

For mids and forwards, does positioning matter, or is it off-the-ball? If it does matter, what's the diff. between the two?

Off the ball matters more for attacking players, whether they be mids or forwards.

Off the ball will matter when your team has possession and these players are trying to move into effective attacking positions to receive through balls or crosses, or even just finding space to receive passes and keep possession. Positioning deals with what the player is going to do when the other team has possession. More or less how well that player positions himself to deny opposing players space to run onto through balls, or how well a defender sets himself up in an effective defensive position. Players with bad positioning will be caught too far forward as strikers run by them onto through balls, or won't drop back properly to deny a cross or pass to a player streaking down the back side.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Okay, so here's another (stupid) question about offsides: What's to stop me from playing something crazy like 5 midfielders and 5 forwards? Wouldn't the other team's forwards always be offsides?
You know, even though this question has been answered, I would love to see what would happen if someone actually did this in FM. That would make the 2D game a riot to watch. :D

[Runtheball]

Why is the FM demo in Danish only?
I've downloaded and installed twice, from different locations, and each time have selected ENGLISH during installation. The game is in Danish.
I've figured out that the pulldown menu on the right is game options, and I can select English for "Sprog", but can't find a way to save this choice, so the game remains in a language I can't understand.

[Marc Vaughan]

Why is the FM demo in Danish only?
I've downloaded and installed twice, from different locations, and each time have selected ENGLISH during installation. The game is in Danish.
I've figured out that the pulldown menu on the right is game options, and I can select English for "Sprog", but can't find a way to save this choice, so the game remains in a language I can't understand.
Its not in Danish - its a problem if your windows system is in a language that the game can't find a translation for, it defaults back to a random language.

It only occurs if your windows or keyboard is setup in a language which isn't supported and can be fixed by changing language as you've discovered - for the next version we're going to make this easier ...

[Passacaglia]

You know, even though this question has been answered, I would love to see what would happen if someone actually did this in FM. That would make the 2D game a riot to watch. :D

Well, then I guess I must try it!

I guess the reason for my questions is this: I've had a few games where I've fallen behind, and I sub out a central defender, and replace him with a forward. So then I've got three defenders -- one DC, on DR, and one DL. But the DR and DL didn't seem to be doing anything..they just kept moving backward, letting the forward progress with the ball up the middle, so I felt like they weren't getting in his way, but instead they were just keeping him onside.

I still feel like my Rushden team seemed offsides on a lot of the goals we scored. But on the other hand, we got called offsides pretty often, too.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I guess the reason for my questions is this: I've had a few games where I've fallen behind, and I sub out a central defender, and replace him with a forward. So then I've got three defenders -- one DC, on DR, and one DL. But the DR and DL didn't seem to be doing anything..they just kept moving backward, letting the forward progress with the ball up the middle, so I felt like they weren't getting in his way, but instead they were just keeping him onside.
If the forward has the ball, he's onside no matter what. If he doesn't have the ball, your defenders are going to stay between him and the goal unless you have them do the "offside trap" (not recommended unless you have players with good anticipation -- does it help if the defenders have all played together for a while too?). It would probably be a bad idea for the DR and/or the DL to close in on a forward in the middle of the pitch anyway. After all, isn't he the DC's responsibility? Your other defenders are just covering their own areas, which I'm sure is best for a lower-league team. It doesn't sound like your players are doing anything wrong. They're just following tactics.

As for your forwards being offside, well, that's an entirely different problem. :)

[Passacaglia]

Well, I tried the 0-5-5 with Chelsea. Our first game was a 2-1 loss to Wigan, then our next was a 3-0 loss to Anderlecht (both friendlies). Both teams were called offsides a grand total of once each. Both teams had several runs at our goalie. Anderlecht had a couple runs where the commentary said the flag was down, so I think they're hinting that he was close to offsides. It still seems like they were offsides several times. Having five forwards really didn't seem to help the offense any. It did look pretty normal most of the time, but several times, all they had to do was kick it deep and let their forward get it.

[Marc Vaughan]

Well, I tried the 0-5-5 with Chelsea. Our first game was a 2-1 loss to Wigan, then our next was a 3-0 loss to Anderlecht (both friendlies). Both teams were called offsides a grand total of once each. Both teams had several runs at our goalie. Anderlecht had a couple runs where the commentary said the flag was down, so I think they're hinting that he was close to offsides. It still seems like they were offsides several times. Having five forwards really didn't seem to help the offense any. It did look pretty normal most of the time, but several times, all they had to do was kick it deep and let their forward get it.
Trouble with five forwards is simply that there's only so much space and well positioned defenders (ie. pretty much any bog-standard formation) can police the vital areas pretty effectively, plus if you've NO defenders yourself then the opposition can easily drop their midfield and attack back to help pick up players if required ...

If you're interested there are some very good books on how soccer has evolved over the years, in case you weren't aware the 'off-side' rule didn't exist for many years and at that time such formations as 2-3-5 and such like were very common ...

(yeah I know I'm a soccer geek but I love that sort of stuff :D)

[Anthony]

i wish you could download this game, i'd get it right now. as it stands i gotta wait till saturday to make it down to this one game store that allows trade in of PC games.

[Passacaglia]

Okay, I'm trying to run the game in windowed mode. My resolution was 1024x768, and I moved it up one. It now runs in windowed mode, but the scren is so big that I have to move the mouse to the sides to extend the screen. It's kind of weird. Any idea why this is happening?

[Passacaglia]

The game runs in 1024x768 - so if you want to use windowed mode your desk-top needs to be in a resolution above this.

If you're desperate to run windowed mode for some reason and want to leave your desktop in 1024x768 then launching the game with the -small_screen option will run it in 800x600 resolution, but imho its a bit cramped and naff (which is why its a 'hidden option' rather than in the GUI).

Never mind -- this worked for me. It may be cramped, and I don't know what naff is, but this is exactly what I was hoping for! Thanks for the 'hidden option' Marc!

[finkenst]

Hmmmmm quick random guess - the game uses 1024x768, in windowed mode the window actually takes up a little more than that because of the extra pixels in the title bar and footer surrounding the window.

You're running in a 'wide screen' style resolution and I'm guessing that the 800 pixel depth of it isn't enough to fix in the screen height with the title bar and footer on the window, hence windows is failing to allow the game to switch to a window.

To check if this is the case can you try moving to a standard high res setting (say 1600x1200 - thats what I'm using at the mo) and seeing if you can change into windowed mode ok.

Hope this helps,

Marc
i wish i had seen this earlier... http://dynamic.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/mad.gif

i have exactly this problem also...

however, i cannot kick my computer to anything higher than 1280x800...

I'd like to play fm2kX in windowed mode, but i live with it...

what if I move my tool/taskbar to the right? I think i'll try that.