TACTICAL THEOREMS AND FRAMEWORKS

Tactical Theorems and Frameworks (TT&F) originated from a series of tactical guides aimed at helping the virtual manager get the best out of the Football Manager tactical module. These became very popular on the FM forums and have now been transformed into the basis of the new FML tactics module. The aims of the new module are:

• To make it quicker to produce a coherent set of tactics.
• To make it easier to understand the way good tactics work.
• To allow users to make tactical decisions in a way more similar to that of real managers.

To turn more specifically to the basis of the new module, there are two key beliefs in TT&F, which are as follows:

TEAM COHESION

TT&F strongly emphasises a big picture view of tactics. In TT&F, all tactics should be created and considered with the team as a whole in mind. The settings applied to each tactic should be consistent and coherent, and players should perform in ways that suit not only their abilities but the demands of the formation and group of players within which they are playing.

Formations are seen as a basic framework - instead of assigning specific players a variety of unrelated tactical instructions, TT&F works from the point of view that a team plays as a unit, requiring certain elements to support each other based on their position on the pitch. The formation chosen provides the basic shape of the team, and the core function of the players within it. However, formations can be many things - set in stone, for players to abide completely to, or a loose structure within which the team fluidly operates. The extent to which either of these scenarios are the case are decided by your playing philosophy.

The approach of your team in itself is dictated by your match strategy, which can, loosely, vary from very attacking to not attacking at all. Whilst your formation focuses on the position and function of each player, and your philosophy the style with which your team tackles the affair, the match strategy is the real meat on the bones. 

FLEXIBILITY

A team may use a certain formation framework, but the way in which players operate within it should differ depending on the demands of each game. A 4-4-2 at home will vary heavily from a 4-4-2 away. In a home formation, the wingers may hug the touchline, support the attackers and be given a fair degree of creative freedom. In an away formation, they may be asked to tuck in, support the full backs, and be ready for quick breaks forward. Against a top side, teams may wish to sit back and defend; against worse teams, they will benefit from attacking and/or trying to take control of the game.

If you're in a game, are your team winning or losing? Tired or still full of life? Being outfought, or simply outplayed? No good side ever goes through many matches without some switches in tactical strategy. Playing the same tactic all game in the belief that because your players are superior and you will inevitably win will not bring you titles – all good managers make changes during matches, and so should you.  In-game decision-making is absolutely vital to TT&F tactical theory.

1.2 makes tactics easy for everyone. To learn more about how the changes work, read on.