Team Instructions: Defensive Shape (FM24 Tactics)

[@donotevenbegintocare]

Oh thank goodness, finally a content creator that doesn't tell us "a low block is totally doable in FM" while showing us a high pressing high defensive line. This man actually shows us what he preaches!

[@VurtAddicted]

You are so right, but you need to watch the game full time to really tinker it, and most content creators just don't. Having a team of physical monsters and play gegenpress is so much easier

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

thanks! plus, it's a lot of fun to see the defensive shape play out during a match!

[@davidgosden5443]

Great video, very clearly explained and really shows the differences well. If I may make a suggestion for a future video, it would be to show in what match situations you might want to alter defensive line/line of engagement. For example, I really struggle with identifying what to do when the AI starts being more attacking. Keep up the excellent work!

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

that's a really helpful suggestion, thank you for the idea :)

[@aaronedwards4953]

"Like herding cats"... 😂 Seems very appropriate. Love the visual aids on this one, really juxtaposing the difference.

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

yea that high press is something else when you watch them chase the ball around haha

[@futboolon]

I love your videos so much man - Your concise communication without filler is such a relief from others who fill time for the sake of it. Your videos make me want to play football manager and I enjoy it so much more because of them too. Ive started watching full matches and man is it so much more interesting seeing every little tactical decision and what it leads to.

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

thank you my friend for the comment :) I loooove watching the entire match for that exact reason you say. It's so fun and almost theraputic to see your tactical changes play out during a match.

[@shadowwalker8793]

Great structure, a great way of presentation, perfectly understandable for a non-native speaker like me, convincing breakdown of the presented topic, all of that without any waste of time or oh-so-"funny" memes or audio files in between - or in short: just another great lesson for people who don't just want to win but want to understand and learn. Seriously: your videos are an absolute gift and whoever wants to learn more about the FM should watch them, regardless of the actual tactic they want to play. Keep it up, please! :) EDIT: also, I love the little jokes you often hide in your heading lines of the chapters ("like herding cats", heh)

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

thanks :) and in earlier videos I used to take the chapter titles more seriously haha, but now I like to have a little fun with them

[@RK-gh5mv]

The amount of pressing should depend on the opponent's style of play. When playing against a team that bases its game on the counter-attack, a low block should be used to give them the ball back and give them a problem with positional play. High press is better when the opponent can play with the ball. The defensive line depends on the opponent's striker. We play deeper when the striker bases his qualities on speed and higher when he bases his qualities on creativity and playing in the air. Great channel!

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

lots of really really good info, thanks for the contribution!!!

[@piersonjamesa]

I really love this version of explaining the specific parts of the game rather than people just simming a tactic with different instructions and pronouncing a best version. I wish i had a good video on scientific theory and experiment design to send to alot of creators because it seems like many are using correlation not causation and pronouncing it as fact, i.e. much of the history of weather/economic forecasting. Whereas just showing simple examples like this, even if the players dont have super high familiarity with the specific instruction and arent executing at the max level, shows how you can make adjustments in match. I think this is going to change up how i consider my midblock systems defensive line and maybe dropping the line deeper if flick on and wing play is getting my defenders turned so quickly. Also how i think about building a tactical framework with options that can dominate the domestic competition in a non top 4 league, vs how to effectively set up in the champions league.

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

thanks for the written response :) there are so many variables in FM that I don't like saying "hey this is the best, do this more". Especially since it's so team and opponent dependent. It was really fascinating to watch the defensive shape change during the game as I switched things around. Even just doing research for this video, there's so many applications to this on how you can adjust during a match. I'd love to explore further for another video

[@anders4442]

Bottom line is, if you're not managing some monster club, you often come into a club with some clear limitations and (for me) 60% of fun is finding a formation that works. Sometimes you have decent defense and lacking midfield, so you use libero. In my current ŁKS save (with FM scout base for 24/25, since I'll be skipping FM 25) I would really like to use more narrow system, but I have solid/promising wingers and it makes no sense to make a change. But I keep my eye out for a promising AMs to gradually widen my options.

[@piersonjamesa]

@@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker i think that video would be very helpful to talk through both countering your oppositions strengths, as well as taking advantage of a weakness.

[@VurtAddicted]

Fantastic video, Teacher! Now you have to send it to Amorin because apparently he completely forgot these concepts as soon as he left Lisbon 😂😂😂

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

before the Newcastle game, I should've done a video on the "Stop Crosses" instruction lol

[@VurtAddicted]

@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker in the first half, Isaak has a chance starting a counter from his own half because Man Utd was holding the defensive line in the opposition half. They forgot the rules.

[@VurtAddicted]

@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker I will drop you another idea for future videos: tactic intensity. I am experimenting with different uses of tactical intensity: I can start with low intensity and push after 20 minutes or so, or viceversa. It seems to be working well; I just had the best season start ever. It is also extremely realistic. Give it a try. In my understanding, it also changes the fatigue and injury risk a lot. ​

[@nickspeed6012]

Recently discovered your channel and im in love. Doesn't just help me play, but i feel i understand football more when i watch matches. Thanks a lot

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

this really means a lot, thank you for taking the time to comment :) Also, love the E46 M3 in your profile picture!

[@nickspeed6012]

@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker Thanks! It's an all time favorite of mine

[@danichfuer29]

That’s super interesting and well explained, thank you! What I struggle with is to decide when to choose which instructions/ defensive shape combination regarding the opponent and my strengths and weaknesses. Hope for more videos about match preparation, this is still awesome stuff!

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

thanks for the comment :) I love the idea of looking at what the weaknesses are in other formations; maybe I can do something like that in the future :)

[@markwandera4445]

Thank you very much on covering this. I requested iin one of your previous videos and you delivered. You are a life saver.

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

no problem :) hope you liked it!

[@FMlestri]

Very Woy Woy Hodgson vibes there with the strong defensive structure! As a Palace fan it's always fun to see a creator use the team!

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

for what it's worth, my favorite games to watch (in real life but on tv lol) are at Selhurt Park.. love the fans and the energy

[@FMlestri]

@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker much fun. If you ever make it to the UK, reach out and see if we can get you a ticket to a game there!

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

@@FMlestri I'll 100% keep that in mind... it's on my bucket list haha

[@utdway1878]

Brilliant again. The little nuggets of information and examples make it so easy to understand. 👍

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

thanks :) always try to toss in that useful info!

[@DomenicoRositani]

You're the best!

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

thank you :)

[@alif205]

Thank for explaining this! 🎉

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

no problem, glad it helped :)

[@McYavelli]

Very useful! I would love a video on how to close a game down. It seems that every time I try to go defensive the match turns against my guys. I like attacking football as much as the next guy, but I would love to also have some defensive tricks up my sleeve.

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

yea that's a good video topic I'd say. In the meantime, a good tip is to switch to a defensive variation of your formation. Ex: if you like to use a 433, you can easily switch to a 4411 without upsetting your tactic

[@lilljons]

Mind partially blown... 🤯

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

I'll take partially!

[@pauloolivieri83]

nailed it. again.

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

thanks :D

[@hungotuan4431]

We should have a vid on Trap Outside/Trap Inside too

[@piersonjamesa]

I have been looking on youtube and most creators takeaway was you really need to build your team structure around either one, like counterpressing, its not really a flick on or off button. I would love to hear DLP's thoughts after he does some investigating. I also think like many things, its effect on the game in the match engine vs in the simulated games is going to be different.

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

hope to get a video on this one soon :)

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

@@piersonjamesa I'll probably touch on that exact thing in a video but yea the traps are super opponent dependent because it changes your team's shape. Telling your team to force your opponent out wide when they like to use Wing Play would be a disaster, for example

[@vittorio5008]

Love your vids! I’d like to ask you a video about how would you use a sweeper keeper on attack duty.

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

thanks :) If you check out my Sweeper Keeper player role video, I've got some more info on the attack duty :D

[@yasserebal9720]

Lekker video. Happy New Year.

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

thank you :) and same to you my friend!

[@coneeect]

Would love to actually see how you play. Like an uncut lets play / stream. How you choose your starting lineup, how you rotate (performance or best players)? How you look for suited transfers for your tactic. How you cope unhappy players because they dont play?

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

thanks for the comment and idea :) I've thought about how to start doing some streams; it'd never be a daily thing because of my schedule, but I think it'd be fun to do some one-off matches on occasion

[@coneeect]

@@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker Yeah just watching you playing and eplainin in depth why you do stuff how you do seems interesting. I for example wouldnt watch the stream live, but few days after like a "video"

[@Bobdylan73410]

Lets go mate! Need this for my Southampton save as I need to score my goals but still be defensive against these powerhouses

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

good luck!! at least you've got that youth academy going for you

[@stephenjackson4359]

another 10/10

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

thanks!

[@alexandreluiz281]

Your videos are awesome and your have a narrator's voice. Please choose Atlético Mineiro, my team, on your next samples.

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

thank you :) and thanks for the team suggestion! I have been curious, how do you say "Mineiro"? I would say it phonetically like "Min-Yarrow" but I don't know if that would be correct 😂

[@footballmanager_arab]

❤❤❤ very good

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

thanks :)

[@hungotuan4431]

Manipulating defensive shapes, my favorite part of playing FM :)))

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

it's fun to watch them move around and adjust to your instructions... almost theraputic haha

[@necessaryevil943]

Hey DLP, will we ever look at corners and set pieces? Attacking and defending them

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

hey there! I've done some early work on set pieces actually. It won't be in the super immediate future or anything but it is on the docket!

[@johnhoney657]

Would have been nice to see a high press, deep defensive line to see whether you can use that to have lots of space in midfield.

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

thanks for the suggestion/feedback :)

[@originalTeakill]

As always brilliant work. Personally I'd be interested in pre match preparations / opposing player instructions one if you accept suggestions, anyway always a pleasure.

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

thanks and thanks for the suggestion :) it probably won't be right here in the immediate future, but hope to do something on opposition instructions

[@L.4utumn]

I always imagine/hope they let us edit the formation for in transition or defense

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

that'd be a lot of fun for FM25, I do wonder if they'll do something like that!

[@Promapper2012]

Really good video. But could you make a video about how to beat better teams.

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

thanks and thanks for the suggestion :) that'd be a really good video!!

[@Promapper2012]

@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker No problem. Have a good day.👍

[@brycedunn2946]

May I ask, does a High Pressing game have to have a high line? Would a Standard Defensive Line and a Low Block Line of Engagement work? Surely the attackers would come forward to Press and not stay in a low block or am I wrong in saying that? Any who, another top drawer video. Thanks!

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

you can mix and match these all you want! Sometimes a high press can be effecitve if your opponent is passing it around the back; the standard defensive line gives you a little more safety in the midfield if you don't want to go full press. And a low block, standard defensive line is one of my favorite combos to use :) I find it particulary effective in something like a 442 where I want my team to stay compact

[@Lauchinativ]

Could you do a video on defensive team instructions in general?

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

thank you for the suggestion :) hope to make my way around the different instructions as we continue

[@mateuszdylda6840]

In terms of RPM in the 4-2-3-1 DM formation, should the second pivot be more defensive and responsible for security or more offensive like Segundo Volante?

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

I like to use a defensive minded role with a more free/attacking role in those two defensive midfield slots. So if I was using an RPM or a SV, I'd use either a DM, an Anchor, possibly a BWM(D) as the pair. A DLP(D) could work as well

[@jonpaul3868]

Next: Transition game, please!

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

hope to make my way around the different team instructions! 🙂

[@westay4924]

I just focus on attacking structure and forget about defensive structure 💀

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

a fine plan too haha... a lot of times I do the same; just leave the team in a mid block and standard defensive line and focus on the attack.

[@Promapper2012]

Hey DLP, i am thinking about making a football manager KZbin channel do you have any tips?

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

I say go for it!! The big tip is just to get started; the first few videos will probably be a little akward as you find your footing. As you keep doing them, you'll find out what works for you and what doesn't. If you check out some of my first videos, you'll see they're a lot different compared to my format now. For topics, what kind of FM stuff interests you? I was always fascinated with player roles and more simple approaches to tactics, so that's what I went with :)

[@Promapper2012]

@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker Thanks and I think I will make like video about tips or tactics Also in channel description it will say Inspired by Deep Lying Playmaker❤️

[@drcsharp]

We should have a vid on Trap Outside/Trap Inside too

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

Should hope to have that one out soon-ish :)