FIFA 17 has only been out a short while, and already we are seeing patterns of play emerge in online play, as well as what it takes to conquer the CPU in career mode. We can't stress the difference FIFA 17 Custom Tactics make to your game, as if you've ever felt your players were sluggish and second to everything, you may have been using a team with default tactics that don't suit you.
Sensible passing and ball retention are crucial this year, as are pressuring the opposition and cutting off passing lanes when you don't have the ball, so why not apply the necessary tweaks to ensure your players do this from the start?
By applying FIFA 17 Custom Tactics from the Team Management screen, you can tailor the spacing and pace of your side to suit your style. We are recommending these tactics, as designed by top ranked player HekTic_JukeZ, for specific reasons listed below, but don't be afraid to try out other options if it's not working for you.
We want to play a quick, direct passing game, and we want to win the ball back high up the pitch, it's a damn fun way to play FIFA and especially if you are playing local multiplayer against a mate who isn't a regular player, you'll look unstoppable.
FIFA 17 Custom Tactics:
Build Up Play:
Speed:
This dictates the pace with which your players get forward. 70 is fast, but not too fast. Any higher and you risk burning out and leaving yourself open to the counter. 70 is ideal.
Passing:
The passing tactic determins the length at which passing options make themselves available. Around 30 sees your players coming towards the ball carrier, and 70ish sees them move for it. 50 is a nice blend of both, and works best for this playstyle.
Positioning:
Organised is key when linking passes so that you know where your players are going to be. Free Form would result in strikers drifting wide and full backs roaming, not good for the high line we will use.
Chance Creation:
Passing:
Passing in the Chance Creation section determines how your players look to receive a pass. Low stats here is for longer passing, whereas high stats are best for pinging it about. Again, 70 is ideal.
Shooting:
There is a strange bug in FIFA this year where the Shooting and Crossing tactics are switched, that means to dictate how much your strikers look for crosses from wide players, you need to change the shooting tactic. We are suggesting 20 to focus on passing and runs in behind.
Crossing:
We want to have our players look to get a shot off as often as possible, but this tactic is ultimately pointless, so 60 is risk free.
Positioning:
Free Form should only be used with good teams, that have full backs who are capable of joining the attack, such as Real Madrid with Marcelo, or Bayern Munich with David Alaba, because you'll find that players swap positions and worry less about getting back in position. Not a great idea with lower rated players, but ultimately results in faster play.
Defence:
Pressure:
Pressure in this instance relates to how high up the pitch your backline will pressure the opponent. 30 would see your back four on the edge of your own box, but we want to dominate our opponent, so 60 is up closer to the half-way line. Any higher is a bit mental.
Aggression:
The tactic that determines how your players hunt the ball, a balanced 50 works well with the high line so as not to leave holes in behind. You'll still be able to pressure high and cut passing lanes.
Team Width:
We are going for the narrower option to ensure constant options to pass to. We reccommend playing with a narrow formation such as the 4-1-2-1-2 (2), or the 4-3-3 (4) which we will cover in more detail soon.
Defender Line:
Cover is essential to have the AI automatically make players fill in the gaps when someone goes roaming. This is essential if you are going to play Free Form positioning, otherwise they'll just wander off and leave a gap.
[Tactic via HekTic_JukeZ, check him out on Twitter and Twitch.]
