Which formation and tactics are you using?

[Alfie]

Want to know which formations and tactics are working best for you folks. I'm still trying to come to grips with the game but so far I'm leaning towards the following three formations...

1. 4-3-2-1
2. 4-3-3 (2; Holding)
3. 4-3-3 (4; Attacking)

I tried the 4-2-3-1 (both the wide and narrow formations) but didn't quite like it that much. I prefer quick counter-attacking formations which are a variant of 4-3-3 (4-3-2-1 essentially falls in the same category and is a narrow version of 4-3-3).

As for the tactics, I'm using the following :-

Buildup
Speed: 65
Passing: 50
Positioning: Organized

Chance Creation
Passing: 65
Crossing: 45
Shooting: 70
Positioning: Free Form

Defence
Pressure: 55
Aggression: 65
Team Width: 51
Defender Line: Cover

Would love to hear what works for you guys.

Edit: Now I am favoring 4-4-1-1 (Attacking) with LM & RM roles changed to LW & RW. And my backup formation is 4-3-3 (4; Attacking). Have also updated the tactics above.

[snyder5man]

Re: Which formation and tactics are you using?

I use 4/2/3/1.
I have a speedy ST and a target ST. When the speedy ST is in, I have my left footed wing on the right side and right footed wing on the left. I have both on "cut inside" on chance creation, with the ST on " get behind."
I do the complete opposite with the target ST. I keep the wings wide and cross balls into the box.
I manually move my FBs to wingbacks. They are always on " overlap." I usually have one of my holding mids set on "stay back." Although I don't think that function works.


My custom tactics are: 65/75/organized --- 70/70/80/organized --- 67/48/46/cover.


If i'm chasing a game, I may switch to 4/4/1/1 (target ST up front and speedy ST behind). If still needed a goal the last 10 minutes, I go with 3/5/2 and switch custom tactics to high pressure.


If I have the lead late in the game, I will switch to 5/2/1/2 or 5/4/1. I won't change tactics, but will "park the bus" with the d-pad.

[Alfie]

Re: Which formation and tactics are you using?

I use 4/2/3/1.
I have a speedy ST and a target ST. When the speedy ST is in, I have my left footed wing on the right side and right footed wing on the left. I have both on "cut inside" on chance creation, with the ST on " get behind."
I do the complete opposite with the target ST. I keep the wings wide and cross balls into the box.
I manually move my FBs to wingbacks. They are always on " overlap." I usually have one of my holding mids set on "stay back." Although I don't think that function works.


My custom tactics are: 65/75/organized --- 70/70/80/organized --- 67/48/46/cover.


If i'm chasing a game, I may switch to 4/4/1/1 (target ST up front and speedy ST behind). If still needed a goal the last 10 minutes, I go with 3/5/2 and switch custom tactics to high pressure.


If I have the lead late in the game, I will switch to 5/2/1/2 or 5/4/1. I won't change tactics, but will "park the bus" with the d-pad.

Have you tried the "Always Overlap" instruction for LB & RB? I was thinking of experimenting with it as for the time being I have them set to "Stay back while attacking".

Also, which quick tactic do you use for parking the bus using d-pad?

[Und Lahm]

Re: Which formation and tactics are you using?

The always overlap for the FBs works okay.

But you need to run a pretty narrow formation in order for it to be effective, because when your wingers play wide, the FBs don't have any space.

I have crossing at 60, because it is much more effective this year than in FIFA 17, and I use my overlapping FBs to hammer them in.

[snyder5man]

Re: Which formation and tactics are you using?

Have you tried the "Always Overlap" instruction for LB & RB? I was thinking of experimenting with it as for the time being I have them set to "Stay back while attacking".

Also, which quick tactic do you use for parking the bus using d-pad?

When the ball is in play, press left on the d-pad 4 times.
I should also add, I normally stay in attacking (press right 2 times).

[EWRMETS]

Re: Which formation and tactics are you using?

Curious how instructions play with the quick tactics. If I am park the bus but have overlap instructions, do those overlap instructions get overridden?

[Alfie]

Re: Which formation and tactics are you using?

Curious how instructions play with the quick tactics. If I am park the bus but have overlap instructions, do those overlap instructions get overridden?

I was thinking the exact same thing! Which one takes priority?

Another one I had was say I lose possession I change the tactics to defensive or 'Park the Bus' and if I get possession back I change the tactic to "Attacking", would this approach work?

[snyder5man]

Re: Which formation and tactics are you using?

I was thinking the exact same thing! Which one takes priority?

Another one I had was say I lose possession I change the tactics to defensive or 'Park the Bus' and if I get possession back I change the tactic to "Attacking", would this approach work?

The d-pad instructions basically drops your formation depth on the field.
Park the bus- everyone behind midfield.
The more right clicks, the further forward your formation starts. If you are ahead late in the game and you have a goal kick, you will notice that your opponent STs will be even or in front of your CBs. Thus Ultra Attack is engaged by the CPU.
There is one deviation that I have noticed. Ultra attacking, one of your CBs will move very high up the field (if you have 4 in your backline). This will give you an extra attacker, but leave you with only 3 defenders.


If you are in "park the bus," your FBs will make over lapping runs. BUT from a much deeper position, so much less effective. Over lapping runs is considered "chance creating" not field positioning. If you want to drop everyone back and just boom balls down the field, you will need to:
Park the bus with the d-pad and go into custom tactics and click on long ball tactic.

[Alfie]

Re: Which formation and tactics are you using?

The d-pad instructions basically drops your formation depth on the field.
Park the bus- everyone behind midfield.
The more right clicks, the further forward your formation starts. If you are ahead late in the game and you have a goal kick, you will notice that your opponent STs will be even or in front of your CBs. Thus Ultra Attack is engaged by the CPU.
There is one deviation that I have noticed. Ultra attacking, one of your CBs will move very high up the field (if you have 4 in your backline). This will give you an extra attacker, but leave you with only 3 defenders.


If you are in "park the bus," your FBs will make over lapping runs. BUT from a much deeper position, so much less effective.

Thanks for the explanation and this helps a lot.

[snyder5man]

Re: Which formation and tactics are you using?

Thanks for the explanation and this helps a lot.

Not a problem. I went back and added a little more to my post.
To answer your other question (about park the bus on defense and attacking with the ball): You can do this, but i'm not super quick to change (as I have to let go of the left stick while I use the d-pad). Also, once you win the ball back (and currently in "park the bus") your whole team will be dropped very deep. Meaning your team will be compacted. That is a very bad thing in football/soccer. It gives defenders the ability to cover multiple lanes and/or men. This game really rewards through passes and fast breaks. Dropping everyone back will hurt your quick attacking ability and drop your team energy (because the longer runs forward and back).
Just my opinion.

[roll2tide]

Re: Which formation and tactics are you using?

I mostly play Online Seasons but I love the 4-5-1.

Team pressing
Counter Attack
Quick tactic: Attacking

I set all 4 backs to stay back while attacking.

Center mid is balanced.

RM/LM set to get in behind, edge of box

LW/RW set to stay forward, get into the box

ST is set to press back line, target man

I don't give up breakaways and my counter attacks can be lightning fast at times.

I use Belgium and Shaktar Donesk mostly, but it works great with any team that has 2 speedy outside mids and a big, strong ST.

Be Good Or Be Gone
Sent from Galaxy S8+
GT roll2tide
Let's play Madden or Fifa!

[Alfie]

Re: Which formation and tactics are you using?

Ok folks I experimented with 4-4-1-1 (Attack) formation over the last couple of days and it was a revelation. The tweak I made was that I changed the RM & LM roles to RW & LW, and so far I'm loving it. The formation allows me to attack as much as 4-3-3 (Attack) formation and creates nearly as many chances (maybe slightly less) but it seems defensively much stronger. Somehow I'm able to defend a lot better and seem to have lot more bodies behind the ball when I lose possession compared to 4-3-3 and a couple of times I was even able to keep a clean sheet!

[snyder5man]

Re: Which formation and tactics are you using?

Ok folks I experimented with 4-4-1-1 (Attack) formation over the last couple of days and it was a revelation. The tweak I made was that I changed the RM & LM roles to RW & LW, and so far I'm loving it. The formation allows me to attack as much as 4-3-3 (Attack) formation and creates nearly as many chances (maybe slightly less) but it seems defensively much stronger. Somehow I'm able to defend a lot better and seem to have lot more bodies behind the ball when I lose possession compared to 4-3-3 and a couple of times I was even able to keep a clean sheet!

Nice! Did you have your wingers "drop back on defense" or just left it at balanced?

[Alfie]

Re: Which formation and tactics are you using?

Nice! Did you have your wingers "drop back on defense" or just left it at balanced?

I think I had them as balanced. I was playing around with tactics and instructions so much I don't remember the exact instructions for every player. But I had the Striker and Centre Forward (the two guys up front in 4-4-1-1) set to "Stay Forward" and had the LWB & RWB set to "Always Overlap". I think I left the wingers on "Balanced" with "Cut inside" instructions.

[mrtv4]

Re: Which formation and tactics are you using?

What would be the best settings to get a high possesion game and playing ALA pep's teams particularly with City. I have never messed with tactics to much playing fifa. when it comes to that I play FM more but i want to be immersed more with fifa