Attack Strategy

[Zealous Dissent]

As I have said in my other posts, I am new to the sport, and I had some attack strategy questions. First - in Futbol, how do you attack? Specifically, what are the strategies that teams employ?

In hockey - for example - you can crash the net, play some dump & chase, you can run the overload, and play a shooting umbrella, and numerous other things. In soccer, I am aware of "the cross", and basically trying to attack the front of the net, clearly these are layman descriptions, and maybe someone can point me in a direction to learn this stuff? I am having trouble scoring, and it's most likely because I just try to plod forward and pass a lot, and then shoot. SO.. anyone out there want to help me out? I played 7 game online yesterday, and lost all of them. My goal differential was like 11-12 to like 4-5. Every game that I played was with equal star ratings, so my guess is the teams were even.

I used: Bayern, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Americo, Sporting, and a few others...

[c0ldlimit]

Re: Attack Strategy

I'll put myself in the category of novice but I'll start the discussion:

I don't play online, but I know certain unrealistic set ups seem to work online. For instance I've seen formations like 4-0-6 that take advantage of the generous fatigue allowance. This allows the opponent to dominate in the attacking third. So my discussion is mainly around how I try to enjoy the beautiful game. All of my thoughts can be implemented by adjusting the formation of your team and the custom tactics. I will also add it’s important to know your players and their abilities….take advantage of their strengths.

Disclaimer: These names aren’t something you’ll find in the Encyclopedia of Soccer…they are made up by me.

Counter attack: Germany executed this perfectly in this World Cup. Look to use the lob through pass to hit your strikers bombing forward. You’ll want strikers that can push defenders off the ball and have good acceleration.

Use the wings: If you have fast wing players with decent skill move capabilities, try zipping down the flanks and cutting in or crossing. Usually you’ll have 1 on 1 opportunities where a step over to exit move can shimmy you past the defender. If you have a tall player with great heading accuracy, you can create a deadly scoring combination with a high crossing rated player.

Short pass attack: South American teams are more known for this kind of play. They are proficient at triangle passing and one-twos. Often this is useful when facing a high pressure opponent. Making sure you always have someone to pass to can open up their defence.

Short pass but slow build up: Spain is awesome at this. Basically keep possession of the ball because without the ball, the other team can’t score. They will often pass the ball back into their own third and restart their attack. With enough skilled passing they find enough opportunities to slip a through ball to David Villa at the top of the box.

Long ball: The US national team seemed to resort to this strategy at some points in the tournament albeit unsuccessfully. If the other team plays a very compact formation you can use that to your advantage and play wider in the attack. This gives your players more space to receive long passes and their defenders will have to play catch up or at least they may be 1 on 1 opportunities.

Don’t be afraid to change your strategy in game using the tactics selector.

[rckabillyRaider]

Re: Attack Strategy

I would start playing vs the CPU first, but then again I hate online. Too much cheesing and not enough sim players online.

[Zealous Dissent]

Re: Attack Strategy

Thanks for the tips fellas - I watched a ton of World Cup soccer, and loved the German counter-attack, it was impressive to watch. I think I really need to do what you said, and learn the strengths of my forwards, to know how to set up my attack. I take for granted stuff like that when I play Maddnen. If I am the Vikings, for example, I know to pound the rock. In soccer, I am not enlightened enough to know how to employ different strategies with the different teams I use. I basically employ the same strategies with every team I use.. I will start by looking closely at the rosters. Thanks again.

[Zealous Dissent]

Re: Attack Strategy

I would start playing vs the CPU first, but then again I hate online. Too much cheesing and not enough sim players online.

The funny thing is that I don't even know when someone is being a cheeseball. LOL! I mean - I see people hit these floaters from the top of the box, and if it happens more than once, I am like - "that's F'n dumb".. hahaha.

[c0ldlimit]

Re: Attack Strategy

Ultimately you're both the coach and the individual player. So as coach you need to come up with a strategy that is best suited for your team. I recommend playing higher star CPU teams to test out your strategies because good passing and aggressiveness will beat lower star teams. If your midfield players are weak then consider a 4-2-3-1 or 4-2-2-2 formation. Basically devise the best plan around the players you have. Finally knowing which strikers have a good long shot is good information. If somehow that striker ends up with an open 25-30m shot, I instinctively know to let it rip. These are my favorite goals. If you ever want to play some time....look me up.

[simgamer0005]

Re: Attack Strategy

I usually play either a 4-4-1-1 formation or a formation called the hawk, which is basically the equivalent of a 5-2-1-1-1. I play a zonal marking system usually with side overload. I play FIFA 10 on PC. I have an issue with stamina though. I'd like to figure out a way to make it so my players don't run as much so they have more energy late in the match.

I try to prevent goals as my first priority, so I rely heavily at times on the counter attack. I also do lots of short passing in my own half and clearances from time to time.

[Zealous Dissent]

Re: Attack Strategy

Those deep shots are my favorite as well! I love practically tearing the net on a nice rip. HA! As for the formations. I have been researching online what they mean, beyond what they apparently are. What I mean is this.. I understand that the numbers relate to the amount of people in that portion of the field. I am just not sure which formation best suits my talent. Is it a simply an "ecomnomy of force", meaning- do I just base my formation on my depth of talent at that position on the pitch?

As for someone's idea of using higher rated teams against lower to start - I think I am going to do that.. part of the reason I am not scoring goals online, is because I am not use to scoring goals at all. If I can play a weaker team, to just learn the mechanics of scoring, maybe I can start to employ that offline. I feel like I practice a lot, but I don't actually practice scoring a lot, because I don't find I get many chances. I am not looking for 4 goals a game, but I would love to just get a couple a game. I would be okay with winning 2-1 or 2 nil. But losing 3-nil time and again is challenging.

You guys have given me a lot to look into, and I can't wait to get home to play!

[Lecrae]

Re: Attack Strategy

Formation is best determined by where your strong at and where you have the depth to sub guys in during a season. Most will either have more defenders, more midfielders, or an even number of the two and anywhere from 1-3 forwards. Also if you use crosses alot you should use a formation with wingers either in midfield or on defense.

[jb1]

Re: Attack Strategy

I don't know how familiar you are with the sport and it's systems, tactics, players etc so hopefully I won't come over as patronising here, I'll just try and help you out.

Warning: Long post ahead!

I've been playing FIFA WC2010 and I'll give an example of how I play with England using the same system they used during their first two WC games that will hopefully help you out.

England during the WC were set up to play a basic 4-4-2 formation (an "old school" formation that is seemingly becoming outdated at the highest level). This is basically a neutral system where you look to both defend and attack equally. Playing this 4-4-2 I have two forwards, Rooney (quick, fairly strong, very skilful, great finisher) and Heskey (very strong, tall, good in the air, poor passer, poor finisher). I have two wide players, one winger in Lennon (extremely quick, decent crosser) and another in Gerrard (average speed, great passer, great finisher, long shot expert, great tackler) and two central midfielders, Lampard (great passer, great finisher, long shot expert) and Barry (great passer, decent tackler).

When setting your formation, always go on the strengths and weaknesses of your squad, For me England's biggest problem at this WC was not doing that. The 4-4-2 doesn't suit England as much as say a 4-4-1-1 or 4-2-3-1. For example England never got the best out of Gerrard as he was played wide left in a 4-4-2 whereas he could operate just in behind Rooney in a 4-4-1-1 or a 4-2-3-1 and be more involved in England attacks.

A lot also depends on your opponents, some teams love to match their opponents formation if they feel they are the weaker team but will stick with what is best for them if they feel they are the stronger team.

I.e. If I was in charge of a weak team playing Spain I would look to play 5 men in midfield to try and stifle their passing.

In saying all that I wanted to try and see whether I could win with England on FIFA WC2010 with the 4-4-2 so I will explain the attacking strategies I used based off that. Formations help a teams attacking strategy but ultimately the players are the ones who are responsible for its success or failure.

You said it yourself in an earlier post, knowing your players is key to getting the team set up to attack, I know using this 4-4-2 with the players I have that I need to concentrate on getting the ball to Rooney every chance I get as he is my most skilful player and most likely goalscorer and assist maker. I will also score goals by using Heskey's height and strength, Lennon's pace down the wings and both Gerrard and Lampard's long shot ability.

Scoring and creating goals with Rooney: He is great with the ball at his feet but not so much with the ball in the air (though he is still decent with his head) so I always look to pass to his feet. He has pace so I always look first to try and get him in behind a defence, Gerrard and Lampard are great at playing the through balls so I always use these two players when looking to attack through Rooney. Rooney is such a skilful player that another option is passing directly to his feet and letting him try and beat a defender or create a goal for others with his passing, getting Lampard or Gerrard to pass to Rooney and move in front of him is a great way to score also as Rooney can set these players up either for long or mid range shots.

Using Heskey's physical game: Heskey is seen by many as a poor player for England but he can help the team in numerous ways. He can score from good crosses using his height and strength and also use that same height and strength to hold the ball up and bring others into play. At times when you are being pressured by the other teams and can't pass through them you can play a long ball to Heskey who can either head the ball on for Rooney to chase, head to Gerrard or Lampard (or the closest player) or if no options are available he can just hold the ball until he can find a pass and England can then begin their attack from there.

Using the Wings with Lennon: This is seen by many as the most exciting play in football, getting the ball to a quick and skillful winger who can beat his man and either cross the ball or take a shot himself (think Ronaldo). England can do this using Lennon's pace, using other players they can pass the ball behind a full back and let Lennon use his pace to get in. He can also use his pace to beat his defender and either cross high for Heskey or drill the cross lower for Rooney or get to the by-line and pull the ball back for an incoming Gerrard or Lampard to drill home from the edge of the box. It should also be said that Rooney is decent in the air so a high cross to Rooney can bring a goal aswell.

Another way of using the wings is setting up your full backs to overlap the wingers to either create more space for the winger or let the winger pass to the full back to deliver the cross.

Long Shots with Gerrard and Lampard: Both these players have great long shot ability and as such if I can't find a way to get Rooney in on goal I can look to Lampard and Gerrard. By either using short passes through midfield for them both to run onto or getting the ball upto Heskey and Rooney for them to lay it off in that 20-35 yard area where they can unleash their great long shots.

For me the beauty of football is that there is no one way to attack, teams can attack in many different ways depending on the quality of the players they have and although those listed above are the best ways I feel for my England side to score using the 4-4-2 formation you can score goals from lots of different ways other than what I have described.

Anyway, I hope this helps you out, I didn't bore you too easily and didn't feel too patronising.

[teambayern]

Re: Attack Strategy

great post

[Zealous Dissent]

Re: Attack Strategy

Not patronizing at all - great post - great information, thanks a bunch!