Overloading
Overloading, Chase and Desperation formations

The overloading approach can be applied to break down the nasty 3-3-2-1-1 formations, 10 men opponents, ‘normal’ ultra-defensive formations of hopelessly inferior teams as well as a ‘desperation formation’ if in urgent need of one or two goals late in the game.

To create an overloading formation, you will either need a large number of attacking players at the expense of defensive stability or a very massive concentration of attacking players.

If applied in a ‘normal’ situation, the overloading approach might still work fine with your usual passing/tempo system as with counter attack since the large number of attacking players will give your players enough passing options when exploiting a quick counter. Playing on the counter in such a setup works much better if you are using quick target men, if you intend to use strong target men, a higher tempo without using counter attack is recommended

However, if you are far into the game and desperately need a goal (either to come from one or two behind or to break down a nasty team who parked their bus in front of the goal), you will need to abandon counter attack and most likely switch to a quick style with direct or even long balls, increased tempo and width.

The difference between overloading and chase/desperation formations

An overloading formation can work for large parts of the game if you are trying to break down an ultra defensive opposition as a more attacking option compared to a ‘Control’ version (see tactic building approaches), or if in urgent need of a goal, while the chase/desperation formations should be restricted to the closing stages of a game (as equivalent to the ’shut up shop’ versions), which means they never should use counter attack, even less time wasting and a more direct, quick passing up to ultra long and quick.

Some examples

As you can see, this ‘Brasilio’ formation does not work by increasing the number of attacking players, but concentrating them on the pitch. This can lead to a devastating ‘magic quartet’ up front. On the other hand, there are always enough players to drift out wide, so there is a lot of pressure on the wings (FB, AMC plus quick striker). In most cases this is enough to break down the defence. Since this setup uses a quick target man, it does work on the counter in most situations.

Screenshot from TND’s TTF ‘Brasilio’ tactic

However, this is can be transformed into a pure desperation/chase formation if in need for a goal during last minutes of the game if combined with long balls, quick tempo, high width, no target man and no counter attack.

Screenshot

This is an example of an overloading formation using a strong semi-target man, no counter attack, direct, quick wide play on the wings. In this case, the wingers and fast striker are using free roles.

Screenshot from TND’s TTF ‘Arsenic’ tweak

The according chase/desperation formation would be the classic 4-2-4 with higher tempo and passing:

Screenshot

Formations

There will be a large number of possible formations and many players may be tempted to take out defenders, but having two fullbacks with forward runs often can be very useful. They will have a lot of space at the end of the game and be able to create a lot of pressure on the wings as well as bombing the crowded penalty area with dangerous crosses. Additionally they will give the team an increased width for the build up play and hence make your attack more versatile and less predictable. So giving up the midfield and increasing the number of forwards should be the choice.

Player instructions

Fullbacks: FWR often, CB often, RWB often or mixed (depending on your preferred style and players)
Midfield: keep the balance between MC/a and MC/d since you need one player holding there
Wingers: FWR often, CB depending on your players and preference
Forwards: restrict FWR to mixed since you may see too many offsides

Try through balls: FBs, MC/a, Wingers and at least one striker often for Overload. All players for Chase/Desperation.
Long shots: use them sparingly since they may happen too often combined with low time wasting.
Creative freedom: medium to high on all forwards
Free roles: can be assigned to 3-4 forwards (sometimes it is better not to assign a free role to the strong striker).

Team instructions

Mentality: For overloading, stay away from extremes. in RoO a set from 9-15 seems to work very fine, global equivalent would be 13-14. RoT and split: no changes.
The desperation/chase may work with an ‘all-out-attack’ team setting overriding the individual instructions. However, it needs some monitoring and may be countered easily since everyone is pushing forward. In this case, use the standard attacking RoO 14-20 or global 17-19.

D-line: since everyone is pushing forward and you gave up much security in midfield, extreme settings are not recommended. Stick to a medium setting for the d-line from 10-12, giving your team more space for spreading out the play as well. If playing against 10 men, you can increase by 1-2 notches.

Tempo, passing, width: slow, short, normal if playing on the counter with a quick target man. Quick, direct wide if not using counter and a strong target man. Maximum length, with and tempo for chase/desperation.

Opposition instruction: closing down, tight marking, hard tackling on all forwards. Closing down on all defenders and keeper.

Time wasting: low (5-7) for overload, very low for chase (1-4).

Offside trap: only if you are having top-notch defenders.

Tactical Bible Credits
Millie, wwfan, The next Diaby. Proof-reading: crazy gra

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About the Author // Matt vom Brocke

Matt’s contribution to FM-B as a whole and the tactical area in particular cannot be over-estimated and the respect he is given by fellow staff members reflects this. The writer of the very well-recieved Communication and Psychological Warfare and Creativo set of tactics, Matt is a key member of the Tactical Think Tank and part of SI’s beta testing Dream Team.