Instructions in FIFA 17: Everything listens to your command

A coach's job doesn't end with picking a good formation and adapting it to the team's strengths and weaknesses. Every single player should be given instructions so that they don't play the way they want on the pitch. In FIFA 17 there are a lot of options for this.

Midfield

In the 4-3-3 you change the midfield depending on how you want to play: it can be offensive, defensive or wide. That's why we start with these players. You can find the instructions in the team overview above as a separate tab.

The instructions have their own tab in the team management.

Now you just have to click on a player, navigate through the different categories with the left stick and set the instructions with the right stick. Pressing the pass key to confirm is only necessary at the very end, so you don't have to keep confirming the changes you've made. Each position on the field receives different instructions and just as many options. A central defender doesn't need instructions on how to run over the opponent's defense, so this is missing.

Your central midfielders are the control center of the formation, they should help out both in front and behind. Accordingly, you can change the settings. If you play with a ZOM, your formation is more offensively oriented. In this case, it can be worthwhile to give the player the instruction that he should also help out defensively: In a 4-3-3 there are already three players in attack, if a fourth player stays there, the defense might have problems. If you play a fast build-up game, the ZOM is quickly in front again anyway.

There are different settings for the ZOM, he should hold the position and sprint into the penalty area for crosses.

For crosses from the outside, the player is allowed to sprint into the penalty area. If you play crosses, you need as many options as possible in the 16. If a player has a strong shot, such as Julian Draxler, he can wait at the edge of the penalty area and not run in. If you know that your player is lurking there, a sharp pass is enough and the midfielder can pull the trigger on goal.

It is up to you to decide whether a player should hold his position or be free to decide where he stands. If you want to carry out the tactics you have thought out beforehand, the player should hold his position. If you want to combine more variably on the field, give the players all the freedom. It is important to coordinate this setting with the general tactics instruction: There is no point in granting all freedoms there and setting the players to "hold position" here. A free choice also becomes problematic when you are rehearsing moves.

The individual instructions should coincide with the tactics template.

By the way, a ZDM should never play man-to-man defense. He then simply runs after the striker and spaces are freed up again. If you play the 4-3-3 with two 6s, send them forward. They should support the offense, otherwise you will be outnumbered. In general, you should always consider your style of play, for example, if you send the fullbacks forward, the 6s have to stay back. Four players should always be at the back, otherwise your formation in FIFA 17 is too vulnerable to counterattacks.

Storm

In 4-3-3 you play with two wings and a central striker. He also stays in the middle, unless you change his position. If he moves to the outside, he supports the outer strikers, which isquite smart in FIFA 17, because a lot happens on the wings . If you rely on crosses, he should stay in the middle.

The point "Run over defense" is critical for all strikers: This instruction regulates where the attacker directs his gaze. If he overruns, he looks in the direction of the opponent's goal and anticipates the long, steep pass. In doing so, he draws defenders towards him. This instruction is good for counter-attacking play or high passing risk. If, on the other hand, he is the playmaker, he looks towards his own half and supports the build-up.

With the striker, you have to decide whether he should play as a playmaker or a streaker.

The AI in FIFA 17 is generally quite smart and can deal well with runaway strikers. That's why "Wrong 9" or "Playing station" is the better instruction. When pressing, you should rather not set "Put defense under pressure". The strikers will then run after the opponents, although they usually have a lot of space to push the ball around in their own half. Instead, it makes more sense to block the passing lanes, then the ball comes forward with difficulty.

The wingers, on the other hand, can gladly reinforce their own defense. They are of no use up front if you are on the defensive. Worse still, you could be outnumbered. In a 4-3-3, they should also be on the outside, because that's what you play this formation for. If you want them on the inside, switch to a 4-3-2-1, for example, and they will already be on the inside. You can find more information about formations in this beginner's article.

The wingers should also strengthen the defense. They can also run over in the attack.

Unlike the center forward, the wingers are also allowed to break away from the defenders, i.e. "overrun the defense". The opposing wing defenders like to move out and are not set on "staying behind" with everyone. If the winger overruns, you will have a lot of space very quickly. The last instruction is to support crosses. Make sure you set it to "support in the penalty area". This is because the cross usually comes from the other winger. Outside the man is of no use to you, inside he can head or shoot.

Defense

The most important thing in defense is to stay behind . In FIFA 17 it is easy to counterattack; if there are only two men behind, it could be problematic. If you even send the central defenders forward, the goal against is almost certain.

Very important: defenders should always stay behind.

This is also where the point of energetic interception becomes important: Once this is set, the player tries to interrupt opposing passes with acrobatic contortions and a lot of running. This is immensely hard on the physical condition. The advantage for defenders is that they don't usually have to run as much and can keep up this instruction throughout the game. The setting is also good on the 6s, but then they have to be replaced around the 65th minute. In addition, the corresponding players should have a good value in "interception", otherwise they run a lot, but do not interrupt anything.

Interception costs energy. So pay attention to when you set it.

In the end, it is important to adjust the instruction to your style of play and the corresponding lineup. In any case, it's helpful to know exactly how your players will behave. If a suitable player is waiting in the penalty area, you can surprise the opponent with a strong shot.

by Holm Kräusche