FM26: Team and Player Instructions
Instructions are how you tell your players what to do — here's what each one means and when to use it.
Team instructions define how your whole side plays. Player instructions fine-tune how individuals behave within that system. The skill is using them together, and using as few as possible.
The three categories
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| In possession | Shorter passing, higher tempo, work ball into box, play out of defence |
| In transition | Counter-press, counter-attack, distribute to full-backs, regroup |
| Out of possession | Higher defensive line, press more often, prevent short goalkeeper distribution |
Key team instructions explained
| Instruction | What it does | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Shorter passing | Players pass short and safe | Possession football, technical squads |
| More direct passing | Players look forward earlier and longer | Counter-attacking, or with a target man |
| Higher tempo | The ball moves quicker | To overwhelm a disorganised opponent |
| Lower tempo | The ball moves slower and more deliberately | To control a game or protect a lead |
| Work ball into box | Fewer long shots, more patient build-up | When you have creators and no long-range threat |
| Counter-press | Press immediately after losing possession | High-intensity systems with the fitness for it |
| Counter-attack | Attack quickly after winning the ball | When you have pace ahead of the ball |
| Higher defensive line | Defenders push up to compress the pitch | With a sweeper-keeper and quick centre-backs |
| Lower defensive line | Defenders sit deeper | Against pace, or to protect a lead |
Player instructions
Player instructions are specific to each role and position, and they exist to adjust what a role already does — not to rebuild it.
- Take more risks — the player attempts more ambitious passes
- Shoot more often — useful for a genuine long-range threat, damaging for anyone else
- Cross more often — for a wide player with a target to aim at
- Hold position — stops a midfielder drifting out of the shape
- Get further forward — pushes a midfielder into the box late
Instructions that contradict each other
Most broken tactics are broken because two instructions are pulling in opposite directions.
| Combination | Why it fails |
|---|---|
| Shorter passing + higher tempo + direct | Asks players to be patient and rushed at once; turnovers rise |
| Counter-attack + work ball into box | One says break at speed, the other says wait for support |
| High line + drop deeper on the same side | Splits the defensive line and opens the space between it |
| Everyone told to get forward | Nobody is left to cover the counter |
How to use instructions effectively
- Start simple — pick a mentality and a shape, and add instructions only where the default is wrong
- Change one thing at a time — otherwise you cannot tell what worked
- Match instructions to players — telling a poor crosser to cross more does not improve the crosses
- Be consistent — instructions should reinforce each other, not fight
Common questions
What is the difference between team and player instructions in FM?
Team instructions set how the whole side plays. Player instructions adjust one individual within that system, and only in ways their role does not already cover.
How many team instructions should you use?
As few as possible. Each one narrows what players will do; a well-chosen mentality and set of roles already covers most of what people add manually.
What does "work ball into box" do?
It discourages long shots and asks the team to build patiently until a higher-quality chance appears. It helps sides with creators and hurts sides with a genuine long-range threat.
What is the difference between counter-press and counter-attack?
Counter-press is what you do without the ball, immediately after losing it. Counter-attack is what you do with it, immediately after winning it back.
Why did my tactic get worse after adding instructions?
Usually because two of them contradict each other — asking for patient short passing and a high tempo at the same time, for example. Remove them all and re-add one at a time.
Try it yourself
Gaffa is a free browser football manager — pick a club, set your tactics and play a full season. No download, no account, nothing to install.
FM26 best tactics → · FM26 player roles → · What is a high press? →