This is possession tactic settings:
And this is counter tactics settings:
Possession:
To retain possession, it is important to stretch the pitch. That way you create space, and also allow your players to exploit more space. If you have a flat formation, I would suggest fluid philosophy, and if you have a balanced formation like 451, I would suggest balanced philosophy. The trick is in creating angles for passess. Possession is best played by regaining possession quickly, so I use more agressive defending. Offside trap is optional, mainly if you want to use attack strategy. It is important to set a non countering strategy, and play with low tempo, a sensible, slow attack buildup game. To regain possession and not lose it, more discipline is required.
Counter:
It is not needed to keep possession here. Actually, you may even want to forfeit it to invite opposition onto you, to generate even more counter attacks. You want to play compact, to keep your defence tight, and if you are playing compact, it is difficult to find space so no short passing for you. You need to look for open spaces to pass the ball, so pass into space. High tempo is needed and exploiting every opportunity quickly, so shoot on sight instead of work ball into box. It is importatnt to keep team shape here, so more rigid philosophy is required.
For both styles:
It is important to understand your defense line. This is a setting that determines what your defensive line does when YOU HAVE possession, not when you don't. When you don't, your strategy will determine your players positioning. Also, you need to set your player roles and duties according to each style. If playing compact, you will have space on flanks, so exploit the flank(s) you have attacking players on. If playing things wide, it is important to use the middle and have many quality players in the middle. If exploiting middle, your wide players should be on support, and if exploiting just one flank, the other flank should be on support. Make sure you have an attack duty where you exploit.
And this is counter tactics settings:
Possession:
To retain possession, it is important to stretch the pitch. That way you create space, and also allow your players to exploit more space. If you have a flat formation, I would suggest fluid philosophy, and if you have a balanced formation like 451, I would suggest balanced philosophy. The trick is in creating angles for passess. Possession is best played by regaining possession quickly, so I use more agressive defending. Offside trap is optional, mainly if you want to use attack strategy. It is important to set a non countering strategy, and play with low tempo, a sensible, slow attack buildup game. To regain possession and not lose it, more discipline is required.
Counter:
It is not needed to keep possession here. Actually, you may even want to forfeit it to invite opposition onto you, to generate even more counter attacks. You want to play compact, to keep your defence tight, and if you are playing compact, it is difficult to find space so no short passing for you. You need to look for open spaces to pass the ball, so pass into space. High tempo is needed and exploiting every opportunity quickly, so shoot on sight instead of work ball into box. It is importatnt to keep team shape here, so more rigid philosophy is required.
For both styles:
It is important to understand your defense line. This is a setting that determines what your defensive line does when YOU HAVE possession, not when you don't. When you don't, your strategy will determine your players positioning. Also, you need to set your player roles and duties according to each style. If playing compact, you will have space on flanks, so exploit the flank(s) you have attacking players on. If playing things wide, it is important to use the middle and have many quality players in the middle. If exploiting middle, your wide players should be on support, and if exploiting just one flank, the other flank should be on support. Make sure you have an attack duty where you exploit.
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