FM26 Team Instructions: Complete Deep Dive Guide

Team instructions are the foundation of your tactical approach. Understanding each one is crucial for success.

Team Instructions Overview

FM26 organizes instructions into logical sections:

• Overview: General approach
• Build-Up: Starting attacks from deep
• Progression: Moving through midfield
• Final Third: Creating chances
• Transition: Counter-attacks and pressing
• Defensive Shape: Out of possession positioning

Build-Up Phase Instructions

Play Out of Defense

What it does: Defenders pass to feet instead of clearing long
When to use:

• Possession-based tactics
• Technically gifted defenders
• Good passing goalkeeper
  Avoid if: Poor technical defenders, high press opponents

Shorter Passing

What it does: Players look for short passes over long balls
Effect: More possession, slower build-up, lower risk
Combine with: Play out of defense, patient approach
**Counter: Direct play from opponents

Higher Tempo

What it does: Quicker passing, faster transitions
Effect: More direct, riskier, tires players faster
When to use: Counter-attacks, exploiting slow opponents
Risk: More mistakes, higher stamina drain

Lower Tempo

What it does: Slower, more deliberate passing
Effect: Retain possession, tire opponents, control match
When to use: Protecting lead, dominating weaker opponents
Combine with: Shorter passing, work ball into box

Progression Instructions

Pass Into Space

What it does: Players pass into open areas for runs
Best for: Fast attackers, direct play
Avoid if: Slow forwards, tight marking

Work Ball Into Box

What it does: No long shots, only shoot from inside box
Effect: Higher quality chances, more possession
When to use: Good finishers, poor shooters
Risk: Struggle to break down packed defenses

Final Third Instructions

Overlap Left/Right

What it does: Full-backs/wing-backs overlap wingers
Creates: 2v1 situations wide, crossing opportunities
Requires: High stamina full-backs, wingers cutting inside
Formation: Works best with inside forwards

Underlap Left/Right

What it does: Full-backs run inside instead of outside
Creates: Central overloads, shooting opportunities
Works with: Wingers staying wide, inverted wing-backs

Focus Play Through Middle/Wings

Effect: Concentrate attacks centrally or wide
Middle: Requires creative central players
Wings: Needs fast wingers, good crossers

Width Instructions

Play Wider

Effect: Players spread out more
Creates: Space centrally, crossing opportunities
Requires: Pacey wingers, good crossers
Weakness: Vulnerable to counters through middle

Play Narrower

Effect: Players compress centrally
Creates: Overloads in middle, tiki-taka style
Requires: Technical players, good close control
Weakness: Lack of width, predictable

Defensive Instructions

Higher Defensive Line

Effect: Push defense up pitch
Creates: Compress space, win ball higher
Requires: Fast defenders, good offside trap
Risk: Vulnerable to through balls, pace

Lower Defensive Line

Effect: Drop defense deep
Creates: Solid defensive block, hard to break down
Use for: Counter-attacks, protecting lead
Risk: Surrender territory, pressure on defense

Offside Trap

Effect: Defenders push up to catch attackers offside
Works with: Higher line, fast defenders
Risk: Timing errors, smart attackers

Counter-Press

Effect: Immediate pressure after losing ball
Requires: High stamina, work rate, team-wide commitment
Reward: Win ball back quickly, catch opponents disorganized
Risk: Leaves gaps if unsuccessful

Counter

Effect: Quick transitions when winning ball
Direct: Forward passes, pace essential
Works with: Lower line, fast attackers
Best for: Underdogs, exploiting space

Instruction Combinations That Work

Possession Tiki-Taka

• Shorter Passing
• Play Out of Defense
• Work Ball Into Box
• Lower Tempo
• Play Narrower
• Higher Line

Result: Patient possession, technical football

High Press Gegenpress

• Higher Tempo
• Higher Line
• Counter-Press
• More Urgent Pressing
• Play Wider
• Pass Into Space

Result: Aggressive pressing, quick transitions

Counter-Attack

• Lower Line
• Counter
• Play Wider
• Pass Into Space
• Direct Passing
• Hit Early Crosses

Result: Defensive solidity, explosive counters

Balanced 4-2-3-1

• Standard Tempo
• Mixed Passing
• Standard Width
• Standard Line
• Work Ball Into Box

Result: Adaptable, balanced approach

Advanced Tips

Reading the Match

If struggling to score:

• Increase tempo
• Play wider
• More direct passing
• Remove "work ball into box"

If conceding too many:

• Lower line
• Drop tempo
• Narrower shape
• More defensive roles

If dominating but not scoring:

• Keep current approach
• Patience
• Maybe slightly higher tempo

Opposition-Specific Adjustments

Against Park-the-Bus:

• Play wider
• Overlap instructions
• Hit early crosses
• Remove work ball into box (allows long shots)

Against High Press:

• More direct passing
• Play out wide to escape press
• Counter instruction
• Patient approach

Against Counter-Attacking Teams:

• Lower line (prevent through balls)
• Retain possession (don't give ball away)
• Patient buildup

Common Mistakes

❌ Too many instructions: Contradictory, confusing
✅ 3-5 key instructions: Clear, focused

❌ Same instructions all season: Opponents adapt
✅ Adjust based on opponent: Tactical flexibility

❌ Overcomplicating: 10+ instructions
✅ Simplicity: Core 3-4 instructions

Testing Instructions

Experimentation Process:

1. Add one instruction at a time
2. Test over 3-5 matches
3. Observe impact (possession, shots, goals)
4. Keep if improving, remove if not
5. Never add multiple simultaneously

Remember: Instructions work together. One change affects everything!