Balanced Mentality Structure: Assymetric Shapes – Part 4

Football Manager Mentality Ladder about the Balanced Mentality Structure

Following the structure of the Football Manager Mentality Ladder, here is part 4 about the balanced mentality structure. Here ‘The Hand of God’ analysis the balanced mentality, a setting or structure which can often be entitled as asymmetric shapes when creating a Football Manager tactics.

This part will provide you an in-depth look on the different player roles and positions rung of task and tactical priority in the balanced mentality.

By reading ‘The Hand of Gods’ 8-step guide on mentality ladder for Football Manager 2014 you will be able to enhance your understanding on how a Football Manager tactic will be organized under different fluidity / mentality combinations and further improve your tactics by focusing on the impact the different mentality structures and player duties has on the play – in the different match situations and on players mentality level through the 4 phases of play.

About the Balanced Mentality

The Balanced mentality structures divide the team into three units based on the duties assigned to individual players. As with fluid structures, a more cautious defensive unit provides a stable, structural core that frees a more adventurous attacking unit to get forward aggressively, though this is further balanced by a “supporting” unit that serves to provide a more consistent link between the two.

However, since a player’s respective unit is defined by his duty rather than position, this gives the manager greater flexibility in refining his defensive and attacking shape to fit the personnel at his disposal. Consequently, Balanced mentality structures can accommodate a high degree of either duty-based specialization or general versatility.

The Controller Effect in Balanced Mentality

Certain balanced mentality structures are subject to the Controller Effect. Essentially, under a more defensive team mentality, using certain roles with a lower tactical priority than other roles in the same position will cause others on the team to become slightly more aggressive.
In practical terms, this represents a player who stays deeper than other players in his position to focus on controlling the flow and tempo of the match. His non-controller teammates, accordingly, become slightly more aggressive to compensate for the controller-playmaker’s more cautious orientation.

The Controller Effect applies to balanced contain, defensive and counter mentality structures that use a Deep-Lying Playmaker at CM or a Sweeper (that is, the role, not the position). In the following outlines, you should move each outfield player (with the exception of sweepers, DLPs at MC, APs at AMLRC and trequartistas at ST) up one position on the mentality ladder for Defensive mentalities and up two positions for Contain if the mentality structure is subject to the Controller Effect. Keep in mind, the Controller Effect does not affect other sweepers or CM-DLPs, and the alterations imposed by the Controller Effect are the same regardless of how many controller-playmakers are used.

-GK: Shield Goal
-Sweeper Keeper (Attack): Limit Pressure
-Sweeper Keeper (Support): Limit Pressure

-SW: Obstruct Shots
-Libero (Attack): Restrict Space Aggressively
-Libero (Support): Divert Attacking Movement

-DC: Obstruct Shots
-Stopper Duty (All Roles): Divert Attacking Movement

-DL/R: Disrupt Attacks Judiciously
-Defend Duty (All Roles): Slow Attacking Movement
-Support Duty (All Roles): Restrict Space Cautiously

-DMC: Contain Attacking Movement
-Support Duty (All Roles): Restrict Space

-WBL/R: Disrupt Attacks Quickly
-Wingback (Defend): Divert Attacking Movement
-Wingback (Support): Restrict Space Aggressively

-MC: Recover Possession After Defensive Transition
-Deep Lying Playmaker (Support): Restrict Space
-Defend Duty (All Roles): Restrict Space Cautiously
-Support Duty (All Other Roles): Disrupt Attacks Judiciously

-ML/R: Recover Possession
-Defend Duty (All Roles): Restrict Space
-Support Duty (All Roles): Disrupt Attacks

-AMC: Recover Possession Immediately
-Advanced Playmaker (Attack): Recover Possession After Defensive Transition
-Advanced Playmaker (Support): Disrupt Attacks Judiciously
-Shadow Striker: Keep Possession
-Support Duty (All Other Roles): Disrupt Attacks Quickly

-AML/R: Keep Possession Away From Pressure
-Advanced Playmaker (Attack): Recover Possession
-Advanced Playmaker (Support): Disrupt Attacks
-Defensive Winger (Defend): Disrupt Attacks Judiciously
-Support Duty (All Other Roles): Recover Possession After Defensive Transition

-ST (Lone Striker): Keep Possession
-Attack Duty (Multiple Strikers): Shuttle Ball
-Defensive Forward (Defend): Disrupt Attacks
-False Nine (Lone Striker): Recover Possession After Defensive Transition
-Support Duty (Lone Striker): Recover Possession
-Support Duty (Multiple Strikers): Recover Possession After Defensive Transition
-Trequartista (Lone Striker): Recover Possession Immediately
-Trequartista (Multiple Strikers): Keep Possession Under Pressure

-GK: Limit Pressure
-Sweeper Keeper (Attack): Distribute Safely
-Sweeper Keeper (Support): Limit Pressure

-SW: Contain Attacking Movement
-Libero (Attack): Disrupt Attacks Quickly
-Libero (Support): Restrict Space Aggressively

-DC: Divert Attacking Movement
-Cover Duty (All Roles): Contain Attacking Movement
-Stopper Duty (All Roles): Restrict Space Aggressively

-DL/R: Recover Possession After Defensive Transition
-Defend Duty (All Roles): Restrict Space Cautiously
-Support Duty (All Roles): Disrupt Attacks Judiciously

-DMC: Restrict Space
-Halfback: Restrict Space Cautiously
-Support Duty (All Roles): Disrupt Attacks

-WBL/R: Recover Possession Immediately
-Wingback (Defend): Restrict Space Aggressively
-Wingback (Support): Disrupt Attacks Quickly

-MC: Keep Possession Away From Pressure
-Deep Lying Playmaker (Defend): Restrict Space Aggressively
-Deep Lying Playmaker (Support): Disrupt Attacks
-Defend Duty (All Other Roles): Disrupt Attacks Judiciously
-Support Duty (All Other Roles): Recover Possession After Defensive Transition

-ML/R: Keep Possession
-Defend Duty (All Roles): Disrupt Attacks
-Support Duty (All Roles): Recover Possession

-AMC: Keep Possession Under Pressure
-Advanced Playmaker (Attack): Keep Possession Away From Pressure
-Advanced Playmaker (Support): Recover Possession After Defensive Transition
-Shadow Striker: Shuttle Ball
-Support Duty (All Other Roles): Recover Possession Immediately

-AML/R: Shuttle Ball Into Space
-Advanced Playmaker (Attack): Keep Possession
-Advanced Playmaker (Support): Recover Possession
-Defensive Winger (Defend): Recover Possession After Defensive Transition
-Support Duty (All Other Roles): Keep Possession Away From Pressure

-ST (Lone Striker): Shuttle Ball
-Attack Duty (Multiple Strikers): Spearhead Attacking Moves
-Defensive Forward (Defend): Recover Possession
-False Nine (Lone Striker): Recover Possession Immediately
-Support Duty (Lone Striker): Keep Possession
-Support Duty (Multiple Strikers): Keep Possession Away From Pressure
-Trequartista (Lone Striker): Keep Possession Under Pressure
-Trequartista (Multiple Strikers): Shuttle Ball Through Defence

-GK: Limit Pressure
-Sweeper Keeper (Attack): Cycle Possession
-Sweeper Keeper (Support): Distribute Safely

-SW: Restrict Space Cautiously
-Libero (Attack): Recover Possession
-Libero (Support): Disrupt Attacks

-DC: Restrict Space
-Cover Duty (All Roles): Divert Attacking Movement
-Stopper Duty (All Roles): Disrupt Attacks Judiciously

-DL/R: Recover Possession Immediately
-Defend Duty (All Roles): Restrict Space Aggressively
-Support Duty (All Roles): Disrupt Attacks Quickly

-DMC: Disrupt Attacks Judiciously
-Halfback: Restrict Space
-Support Duty (All Roles): Recover Possession After Defensive Transition

-WBL/R: Keep Possession
-Wingback (Defend): Disrupt Attacks
-Wingback (Support): Recover Possession

-MC: Keep Possession Under Pressure
-Deep Lying Playmaker (Defend): Disrupt Attacks
-Deep Lying Playmaker (Support): Recover Possession After Defensive Transition
-Defend Duty (All Other Roles): Disrupt Attacks Quickly
-Support Duty (All Other Roles): Recover Possession Immediately

-ML/R: Shuttle Ball Into Space
-Defend Duty (All Roles): Recover Possession After Defensive Transition
-Support Duty (All Roles): Keep Possession Away From Pressure

-AMC: Shuttle
-Advanced Playmaker (Attack): Keep Possession Under Pressure
-Advanced Playmaker (Support): Recover Possession Immediately
-Shadow Striker: Spearhead Attacking Moves from the Hole
-Support Duty (All Other Roles): Keep Possession

-AML/R: Shuttle Ball Through Defence
-Advanced Playmaker (Attack): Shuttle Ball Into Space
-Advanced Playmaker (Support): Keep Possession Away From Pressure
-Defensive Winger (Defend): Recover Possession Immediately
-Support Duty (All Other Roles): Keep Possession Under Pressure

-ST (Lone Striker): Spearhead Attacking Moves from the Hole
-Attack Duty (Multiple Strikers): Spearhead Attacking Moves Closer to Defence
-Defensive Forward (Defend): Keep Possession Away From Pressure
-False Nine (Lone Striker): Keep Possession
-Support Duty (Lone Striker): Shuttle Ball Into Space
-Support Duty (Multiple Strikers): Keep Possession
-Trequartista (Lone Striker): Shuttle Ball
-Trequartista (Multiple Strikers): Create Chances Patiently

-GK: Distribute Safely
-Sweeper Keeper (Attack): Cycle Possession
-Sweeper Keeper (Support): Cycle Possession

-SW: Restrict Space
-Libero (Attack): Keep Possession Away From Pressure
-Libero (Support): Recover Possession After Defensive Transition

-DC: Disrupt Attacks Judiciously
-Cover Duty (All Roles): Restrict Space
-Stopper Duty (All Roles): Disrupt Attacks Quickly

-DL/R: Keep Possession
-Defend Duty (All Roles): Disrupt Attacks
-Support Duty (All Roles): Recover Possession

-DMC: Disrupt Attacks Quickly
-Halfback: Disrupt Attacks Judiciously
-Support Duty (All Roles): Recover Possession Immediately

-WBL/R: Shuttle Ball Into Space
-Wingback (Defend): Recover Possession After Defensive Transition
-Wingback (Support): Keep Possession Away From Pressure

-MC: Shuttle Ball
-Deep Lying Playmaker (Defend): Disrupt Attacks Quickly
-Deep Lying Playmaker (Support): Recover Possession Immediately
-Defend Duty (All Other Roles): Recover Possession
-Support Duty (All Other Roles): Keep Possession

-ML/R: Shuttle Ball Through Defence
-Defend Duty (All Roles): Recover Possession Immediately
-Support Duty (All Roles): Keep Possession Under Pressure

-AMC: Spearhead Attacking Moves from the Holes
-Advanced Playmaker (Attack): Shuttle Ball
-Advanced Playmaker (Support): Keep Possession
-Shadow Striker: Spearhead Attacking Moves Closer to Defence
-Support Duty (All Other Roles): Shuttle Ball Into Space

-AML/R: Spearhead Attacking Moves
-Advanced Playmaker (Attack): Shuttle Ball Through Defence
-Advanced Playmaker (Support): Keep Possession Under Pressure
-Defensive Winger (Defend): Keep Possession
-Support Duty (All Other Roles): Shuttle Ball

-ST (Lone Striker): Spearhead Attacking Moves Closer to Defence
-Attack Duty (Multiple Strikers): Penetrate Gaps
-Defensive Forward (Defend): Keep Possession Under Pressure
-False Nine (Lone Striker): Shuttle Ball Into Space
-Support Duty (Lone Striker): Shuttle Ball Through Defence
-Support Duty (Multiple Strikers): Shuttle Ball Into Space
-Trequartista (Lone Striker): Create Chances Patiently
-Trequartista (Multiple Strikers): Create Chances Urgently

-GK: Distribute Safely
-Sweeper Keeper (Attack): Initiate Attacks
-Sweeper Keeper (Support): Cycle Possession

-SW: Disrupt Attacks Judiciously
-Libero (Attack): Keep Possession Under Pressure
-Libero (Support): Recover Possession Immediately

-DC: Disrupt Attacks Quickly
-Cover Duty (All Roles): Disrupt Attacks Judiciously
-Stopper Duty (All Roles): Recover Possession

-DL/R: Shuttle Ball Into Space
-Defend Duty (All Roles): Recover Possession After Defensive Transition
-Support Duty (All Roles): Keep Possession Away From Pressure

-DMC: Recover Possession
-Halfback: Disrupt Attacks Quickly
-Support Duty (All Roles): Keep Possession

-WBL/R: Shuttle Ball Through Defence
-Wingback (Defend): Recover Possession Immediately
-Wingback (Support): Keep Possession Under Pressure

-MC: Spearhead Attacks from the Hole
-Deep Lying Playmaker (Defend): Recover Possession
-Deep Lying Playmaker (Support): Keep Possession
-Defend Duty (All Other Roles): Keep Possession Away From Pressure
-Support Duty (All Other Roles): Shuttle Ball Into Space

-ML/R: Spearhead Attacks
-Defend Duty (All Roles): Keep Possession
-Support Duty (All Roles): Shuttle Ball

-AMC: Spearhead Attacks Closer to Defence
-Advanced Playmaker (Attack): Create Chances Patiently
-Advanced Playmaker (Support): Shuttle Ball Into Space
-Shadow Striker: Penetrate Gaps
-Support Duty (All Other Roles): Shuttle Ball Through Defence

-AML/R: Penetrate Gaps Intermittently
-Advanced Playmaker (Attack): Create Chances
-Advanced Playmaker (Support): Shuttle Ball
-Defensive Winger (Defend): Shuttle Ball Into Space
-Support Duty (All Other Roles): Create Chances Patiently

-ST (Lone Striker): Penetrate Gaps
-Attack Duty (Multiple Strikers): Draw Off Defenders
-Defensive Forward (Defend): Shuttle Ball
-False Nine (Lone Striker): Shuttle Ball Through Defence
-Support Duty (Lone Striker): Create Chances
-Support Duty (Multiple Strikers): Shuttle Bal Aggressively
-Trequartista (Lone Striker): Create Chances Urgently
-Trequartista (Multiple Strikers): Force Half Chances

-GK: Cycle Possession
-Sweeper Keeper (Attack): Initiate Attacks
-Sweeper Keeper (Support): Initiate Attacks

-SW: Disrupt Attacks Quickly
-Libero (Attack): Shuttle Ball
-Libero (Support): Keep Possession

-DC: Recover Possession
-Cover Duty (All Roles): Disrupt Attacks
-Stopper Duty (All Roles): Recover Possession Immediately

-DL/R: Shuttle Ball Through Defence
-Defend Duty (All Roles): Recover Possession Immediately
-Support Duty (All Roles): Keep Possession Under Pressure

-DMC: Keep Possession Away From Pressure
-Halfback: Recover Possession
-Support Duty (All Roles): Shuttle Ball Into Space

-WBL/R: Spearhead Attacks
-Wingback (Defend): Keep Possession
-Wingback (Support): Shuttle Ball

-MC: Spearhead Attacks Closer to Defence
-Deep Lying Playmaker (Defend): Keep Possession Away From Pressure
-Deep Lying Playmaker (Support): Shuttle Ball Into Space
-Defend Duty (All Other Roles): Keep Possession Under Pressure
-Support Duty (All Other Roles): Shuttle Ball Through Defence

-ML/R: Penetrate Gaps Intermittently
-Defend Duty (All Roles): Shuttle Ball Into Space
-Support Duty (All Roles): Create Chances Patiently

-AMC: Penetrate Gaps
-Advanced Playmaker (Attack): Create Chances Urgently
-Advanced Playmaker (Support): Shuttle Ball Through Defence
-Enganche: Force Half Chances
-Shadow Striker: Penetrate Gaps Persistently
-Support Duty (All Other Roles): Create Chances
-Trequartista: Force Half Chances

-AML/R: Penetrate Gaps Persistently
-Advanced Playmaker (Attack): Force Half Chances When Necessary
-Advanced Playmaker (Support): Shuttle Ball Into Space
-Defensive Winger (Defend): Shuttle Ball Through Defence
-Support Duty (All Other Roles): Create Chances Urgently

-ST (Lone Striker): Draw Off Defenders
-Attack Duty (Multiple Strikers): Overload Defenders
-Defensive Forward (Defend): Suppress Counterattacking Options
-False Nine (Lone Striker): Create Chances
-Support Duty (Lone Striker): Force Half Chances When Necessary
-Support Duty (Multiple Strikers): Create Chances Patiently
-Trequartista (Lone Striker): Force Half Chances
-Trequartista (Multiple Strikers): Force Half Chances Without Hesitation

-GK: Initiate Attacks
-Sweeper Keeper (Attack): Support Attacks
-Sweeper Keeper (Support): Initiate Attacks

-SW: Recover Possession Immediately
-Libero (Attack): Spearhead Attacks
-Libero (Support): Shuttle Ball

-DC: Keep Possession
-Cover Duty (All Roles): Recover Possession
-Stopper Duty (All Roles): Keep Possession Under Pressure

-DL/R: Spearhead Attacks Closer to Defence
-Defend Duty (All Roles): Keep Possession Under Pressure
-Support Duty (All Roles): Shuttle Ball Through Defence

-DMC: Shuttle Ball Into Space
-Halfback: Keep Possession
-Support Duty (All Roles): Create Chances Patiently

-WBL/R: Penetrate Gaps
-Wingback (Defend): Shuttle Ball
-Wingback (Support): Create Chances

-MC: Penetrate Gaps Persistently
-Advanced Playmaker (Attack): Force Half Chances Without Hesitation
-Deep Lying Playmaker (Defend): Shuttle Ball Into Space
-Deep Lying Playmaker (Support): Create Chances Patiently
-Defend Duty (All Other Roles): Shuttle Ball Through Defence
-Support Duty (All Other Roles): Create Chances Urgently

-ML/R: Draw Off Defenders
-Defend Duty (All Roles): Suppress Counterattacking Options
-Support Duty (All Roles): Create Chances Urgently

-AMC: Overload Defenders
-Advanced Playmaker (Attack): Force Half Chances Without Hesitation
-Advanced Playmaker (Support): Create Chances Urgently
-Enganche: Test Defence
-Support Duty (All Other Roles): Force Half Chances
-Trequartista: Test Defence

-AML/R: Challenge Defenders
-Advanced Playmaker (Attack): Test Defence With Precision
-Advanced Playmaker (Support): Force Half Chances When Necessary
-Defensive Winger (Defend): Suppress Counterattacking Outlets
-Support Duty (All Other Roles): Force Half Chances Without Hesitation

-ST (Lone Striker): Bypass Last Defender
-Attack Duty (Multiple Strikers): Bypass Last Defender
-Defensive Forward (Defend): Isolate Advancing Midfielders
-False Nine (Lone Striker): Force Half Chances
-Support Duty (Lone Striker): Test Defence With Precision
-Support Duty (Multiple Strikers): Force Half Chances When Necessary
-Trequartista (Lone Striker): Test Defence
-Trequartista (Multiple Strikers): Test Defence With Power

Credit

This article was written by the SI moderator and tactics guru The Hand of God. Passion4FM would like to thank him for writing this excellent Football Manager guide on mentality structures, fluidity and player duties and for letting us re-distribute it on our website to our audience.

The original version of this FM14 guide can be found on Sports Interactive Community forum – Sigames.com

Passion4FM encourage you to use the comment field on the original thread if you got any questions to the author.