Okupa

We all now what counter attack means. But I´m not quite sure what effect has in FM. What is exactly the effect of ticking the counter attack box? Does it increase the tempo? Does it reduces the closing down by a fixed amount? Does it sit you defense deeper? Does it make a bit everything mentioned above?

I noticed too by reading the scout reports that almost everyteam thet play "defensive and often try to draw the oposition before trying to launch the counterattack" also plays "possession football".

Well, I would appreciate your thoughts.

kolobok

IMO, this has to do with how a team starts building attacks.
When counter box ticked, players will seek for an opportunity to launch a quick attack. If a player with ball (def or DM) sees such an opportunity, he will try to use it, otherwise he will wait for AI to come at him or pass ball short. Depending on mentality (Risk-Reward setting) and other settings, a player will try to start counter attack more often (higher mentality, quick tempo) or stay with the ball waiting. All this applies mainly to the early stage of attack - once ball is near opposition area there is no big difference how team plays with or without counter box.

Without counter-attack box ticked, a team moves ball forward more gradually (depends on other settings, of course). Usually you see less fast breaks as well as less dayling on ball by defs.

IMO, one of the reasons why in-game tip says "...counter-attack should be quick and direct" is because quick tempo implies that players should move ball fast, which reduces time a player keeps ball. Direct passing is not so necessary in this case, IMO, as quick attack can be launched after series of short passes if AI actually comes after ball. Basically, to start quick attack you may not need lots of passing at all - drop the ball to pacey winger who is asked run with ball often - you get counter attack.

Nick_10

Counter attack must be used only for the right team that has the players to perform. I am using man utd and this is really good. i just started 2 days ago and my friendlies are amazing with the 1st game at 4-0, 2nd at 5-0, 3rd at 5-0, 4th at 13-0, and last at 8-0. i also trashed chelsea 4-1 by counter attacking. To perfect the counter attack, i put closing down to often(midway from normal to the end). Mentallity and defense line to normal. short passing and quick tempo. Importantly, my CB and CM has forward runs rarely, run with ball normal and passing mixed. Flanks and strikers run with ball often. This are the important characteristics of a counter attack side. The success of the scoring also comes with good players like ronaldo wherby the flanks and strikers must have pace and dribbling. My 1st goal against chelsea is from ronaldo and a counter attack. Chelsea had a freekick which was caught by van der sar. He quickly throws the ball to ronaldo from my own half and he dribbles all the way taking past cole, essien and terry and even creating an angle for himself by sidestepping cech to slot the ball in. Thats why it is also important to have players with pace and skill.