retired_hope

There are four different opposition instructions you can employ to counter the opposing team. Here is my take on how to use them effectively.

Tight Marking
Tight Marking instructs your players how tightly to mark this player.

Always
The time to use this is when the opposition player has very low 'Off the ball' attribute. This is because the player will be very easy to mark. Acceleration and pace must be considered, but if he doesn't have the imagination to move he will be an easy target.

Never
Conversely if the player has a very high off the ball attribute then you will not want your players to tightly mark this player as he will be able to get past, again especially if they have high acceleration. However 'Off the ball' is the key thing to look for.

Closing Down
Closing Down instructs your players how aggressively to close down the opposition player.

Always
The time to use this is when your opponent has a very low 'Composure' attribute. It is even more effective when combined with a low 'Decisions' attribute. This player will not be confident when in possession of the ball and will panic if they are closed down. Especially effective against teams that play a short passing game.

Never
If a player has a high 'flair' attribute he will be able to use his trickery to go past a tight marking opponent.

Tackling

Hard
Use this when you the opposition player has a low 'Bravery' attribute. You will be able to dominate this player and win more 50/50 balls. Be cautious of players with a high dribbling skills who will be able to draw a fouls or avoid the tackle altogether leaving the defender stranded.

Easy
Use this when the player is a good dribbler. Use this to reduce the changes of the player being able to draw fouls from your players. Especially important if they are set to run with the ball.

Show Onto Foot
Commonly misused on the opposition strikers. The thinking is that the player will be less likely to finish accurately on their weaker foot. However if a player has beaten your man, then it will not matter.

It is best to use this tactic when you are faced with a good dribbler either on the wing or up front. By showing the player onto there weaker foot will you will reduce the effectiveness of their dribbling. The more single footed a player is or if they have the 'Avoids Weaker Foot' preferred move the more effective this will be.

Why weaker foot isn't always the best option

If the player has the preferred moves 'Moves ball to left foot before dribble' or 'Moves ball to right foot before dribble' you may be giving them an advantage if this is their weaker foot. By showing them onto their right or left foot respectively you should achieve the effect you are looking for.

retired_jdh2191

Thanks! This is a very easy guide to understand how OI exactly works, you've made it alot easier for me.

retired_Myoplex

KUTGW! very well explained (i thought the same about the weaker foot thing ) this will help many :thup:

retired_jveklund

Good stuff. Some very useful things to consider here. :thup:

retired_ccase315

Not sure if I am right, I will never tight-mark someone who has great agility as they can shake their marker easily.

retired_Damonica

i suspect it's a combo of off-the-ball and agility. probably balance and pace are factors too. attributes have always been interrelated, they appear even more so in 2k7 as far as i can tell.

nonetheless i agree with Leroy in that if they are lousy off the ball they're sitting ducks.

PS: NICE WORK LEROY!

retired_hope

You are correct to about agiilty, however I would not be so worried about agility if the guy doesn't move.

zeusbheld is correct in what he says about the interrelation of attributes. I think SI have done a great job in FM2207 in that respect.

retired_hope

I think we may have to wait sometime before this version comes out

Oh and thanks for the compliments :thup:

retired_FaultyFate

I agree with Leroy in general. But you also have to check who will handle this instructions on your side. Imo it makes no sense to use tight marking if your defender has relatively low stats for marking, anticipation or positioning, since in this case you ask someone to do work he is not able to do. I would also be careful to use hard tackling on STs as it increases risk to give penalty away. Finally, I never ask for High Closing Down if I think it will apply to my DC - I do not want my DCs being oout of position ever.

retired_venomm

Very well explained, I wondered why my showing onto weaker foot thing wasn't always being as effective as I would like, I didn't even bother to look at the players preferred moves *sigh*. Something to add to this one though, naturally showing a 2 footed player onto his weaker foot isn't going to make too much difference - but this is pretty obvious anyway

Great post, many thanks.