Anchoring? Tight Marking? Revealing the Real Impact of All Seven Individual Instructions!
In the tactical depth of eFootball, "Individual Instructions" are the secret sauce that allows you to customize player behavior beyond their standard positions. A recent community poll on my page with my followers highlighted which instructions are most popular, but does popularity equal effectiveness?
This guide breaks down the 7 key individual instructions analyzed by Amadeusz, comparing their popularity among players with his personal recommendations.
The Overview: Popularity vs. Amadeusz’s Recommendation
Before diving in, here is the community votes versus Amadeusz’s expert take:
Most Popular: "Defensive" (Offensive Instruction) and "Counter Target" are fan favorites.
Amadeusz’s Top Picks: Surprisingly, "Tight Marking" and "Defensive" (Offensive Instruction) receive 5-star recommendations from Amadeusz, while the popular "Counter Target" only gets 2 stars from him.
1. Attacking (Offensive Instruction)
Popularity: ★★☆☆☆
Amadeusz’s Recommendation: ★★☆☆☆
What it does: Forces the designated player to make aggressive forward runs, ignoring their natural playstyle.
When to use it:
In formations with a single striker (e.g., 4-2-3-1), applying "Attack" to an attacking midfielder (AMF) or second striker (SS) can create overloads in the box. Useful for wingers who tend to drift inside — it keeps them wide and ready for crosses. Best used on Fullbacks (LB/RB) to create overlapping options. However, use it sparingly—if both fullbacks are "Offensive," you'll be extremely vulnerable to counter-attacks.
Limitations: Can leave gaps in midfield if applied to central players without adequate cover.
- Less effective in balanced or possession-based styles where structured buildup is preferred.
Gameplay Insight: In a 4-2-3-1 setup, giving the AMF (Griezmann) the "Attack" instruction causes him to push higher than his default position, creating a de facto two-striker system when combined with the CF. However, this leaves the DMF exposed if not paired with a disciplined partner.
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2. Deep Line (Defensive Instruction)
Popularity: ★★★☆☆
Amadeusz’s Recommendation: ★☆☆☆☆
What it does:
Forces non-defenders (typically midfielders or forwards) to retreat deeper during defensive transitions, effectively forming a temporary back line. The instructed player (usually a DMF) will drop back to sit between your Center Backs when the opponent has the ball.
When to use it:
This effectively creates a 5-man defensive line. It's great for parking the bus, but be careful—it can leave your midfield empty, allowing opponents to dominate possession in the center.
Why It’s Overrated:
- The game engine already pulls most outfield players back naturally during defense.
- Applying "Drop Back" to a CMF or AMF often results in them clogging space rather than providing meaningful coverage.
- Cannot be assigned to DF (defender) positions — redundant by design**.**
Exceptional Use Case:
In a 3-4-3 or 3-5-2, assigning "Deep Line" to one of the wing-backs can help form a flat back four during opposition attacks, especially against fast counter-teams.
Critical Flaw: As shown in gameplay, even with "Drop Back" active, players like Tchouaméni (CMF) still fail to track runners effectively unless manually controlled. The AI doesn’t always interpret “drop back” as “track your marker.”
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3. Anchoring
Popularity: ★★
Amadeusz's Recommendation: ★
What it does:
Restricts a player’s horizontal movement. Prevents a player from drifting laterally across the field during attack. Instead, they maintain their vertical lane — left-side players stay left, right-side players stay right, center players stay central.
Strategic Value:
- Prevents wingers from cutting inside unnecessarily, preserving width.
- Keeps strikers from dropping too deep or wandering wide, ensuring consistent target presence.
- Particularly useful for inverted wingers who you want to stay wide for crossing opportunities.
Misconception Clarified: Many players believe "Anchoring" locks a player to a specific spot. In reality, it only restricts lateral movement — vertical freedom remains intact. For example, a right winger with "Anchoring" will still make runs behind the defense but won’t cut inside to become a pseudo-CF.
Pro Tip: Combine "Anchoring" with a "Cross Specialist" or "Prolific Winger" for wingers who excel at delivering balls from wide areas. Avoid using it on creative playmakers who thrive on roaming
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4. Tight Marking (Defensive Instruction)
Popularity: ★
Amadeusz's Recommendation: ★★★★★
What it does: Forces a defender to stick closely to their assigned opponent, reducing passing lanes and limiting time on the ball. This is arguably the most underrated yet powerful defensive tool in the game.
Why It’s Undervalued:
Most players rely on auto-defending or manual pressing, neglecting proactive marking.
Requires understanding of opponent tendencies — best used against technical dribblers or playmakers.
Optimal Usage:
- Assign to fullbacks against tricky wingers (e.g., mark Mbappé with a pacey RB).
- Use on DMFs against opposing AMFs who operate between lines. Pair with "Aggressive Pressing" team style for maximum disruption.
Gameplay Demonstration: When Kimmich is set to "Tight Mark" Mbappé, he shadows him relentlessly, forcing turnovers and preventing clean receives. Without it, Mbappé finds pockets of space easily. Overusing it can pull your defenders out of position, creating lanes for other attackers to run into.
Advanced Tactic: Use "Tight Marking" on a slow CB against a quick SS — pair it with a sweeper keeper or offside trap to mitigate risk.
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5. Man Marking (Defensive Instruction)
Popularity: ★★
Amadeusz's Recommendation: ★★
What it does: Assigns a specific defender to follow a particular attacker wherever they go — similar to basketball-style defense. Unlike "Tight Marking," which focuses on proximity, "Man Marking" prioritizes tracking regardless of positioning.
Strengths:
Excellent against free-roaming attackers (e.g., false nines, shadow strikers).
Disrupts fluid attacking movements by removing key outlets.
Weaknesses:
Leaves other zones vulnerable if the marked player drags the defender out of position.
- Can be exploited via decoy runs or switches of play.
Best Practice:
Use sparingly — ideally on one high-threat player per match. Example: Assign a CMF to man-mark Bruno Fernandes or De Bruyne to neutralize their influence.
Caution: Never assign "Man Marking" to your last-line defenders unless absolutely necessary — it risks breaking your defensive shape.
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6. Defensive (Offensive Instruction)
Popularity: ★★★★★
Amadeusz's Recommendation: ★★★★★
What it does: Despite being labeled an "offensive" instruction, Defensive actually tells a player to hold their position during attacks — essentially acting as a pivot or anchor.
Why It’s So Popular:
- Creates stability in transition — prevents overcommitment during counters.
- Ideal for DMFs, CMFs, or even fullbacks who need to recycle possession safely.
- It ensures you always have a defensive triangle or square at the back, protecting you against the "long-ball" meta and fast counters.
Tactical Synergy:
- Pair with "Counter Target" on another player for devastating breakaway potential.
- Works beautifully in 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 setups where one midfielder stays back while others surge forward.
Real-World Analogy:
Think of Rodri or Casemiro — they rarely enter the final third but are critical for launching counters. Giving them "Defensive" mimics this behavior perfectly.
Gameplay Proof:
Saliba (CB) given "Defensive" holds his line during attacks, allowing fullbacks to bomb forward without fear of exposure. Similarly, Gündogan (CMF) with "Defensive" becomes a reliable outlet after winning the ball.
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7. Counter Target (Defensive Instruction)
Popularity: ★★★★
Amadeusz's Recommendation: ★★
What it does: Designates a player as the primary recipient of counterattacking passes. They’ll automatically sprint toward goal upon regaining possession.
Common Misuse:
- Often assigned to strikers who already have high speed — redundant.
- Wasted on players lacking finishing ability or composure under pressure.
Effective Applications:
- Best suited for physically strong and/or fast forwards who can outrun defenses (e.g., Haaland, Vinícius Jr.).
- Useful in low-block systems where you win the ball deep and launch immediate vertical passes
Hidden Drawback:
- The player ignores build-up play entirely — no linking, no holding up the ball.
- If isolated, they’re easy to defend against due to predictable movement.
Alternative Strategy: Instead of using "Counter Target," consider combining "Defensive" + "Long Ball Passing" on a midfielder to initiate counters more intelligently.
Expert Note: Setting a winger to "Counter Target" can work if they’re positioned wide and receive diagonal through-balls — think Salah or Leão making runs behind the defense.
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Bonus: Advanced Combinations & Meta Tactics
The “Stacked Finisher” Setup: Combine Anchoring + Counter Target on a lone striker. This ensures they stay central during buildup but explode forward on counters — perfect for teams playing direct football.
The “Midfield Shield”: Assign Defensive to your DMF and Tight Marking to your CMF. This creates a double-layered barrier that suffocates opponents’ creativity while maintaining structural integrity.
The “Wing Lockdown”: Use Man Marking on your LB/RB against elite wingers, supplemented by Tight Marking from adjacent CBs. Forces attackers into crowded channels and increases turnover rates.
The “False Fullback” Trick: Give your FB Defensive instruction and let them tuck near the midfield during possession. Mimics modern tactics seen in Guardiola’s City or Arteta’s Arsenal — adds numerical superiority in central areas.
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Final Thoughts: Balance Is Everything
While some instructions like Defensive and Tight Marking offer universal value, others require context-specific application. Don’t fall into the trap of copying meta builds blindly — adapt based on:
Your team’s strengths (pace? technique? physicality?)
Opponent’s weaknesses (slow CBs? narrow midfield?)
Match situation (leading? trailing? chasing a result?)
Remember: Individual instructions are tools, not magic bullets. Their power emerges when integrated thoughtfully within your broader tactical framework.
Recommended Starting Points for New Players
✅ Start With:
Defensive on DMF/CMF
Tight Marking on FB vs dangerous wingers
Anchoring on wingers to preserve width
❌ Avoid Initially:
- Deep Line on midfielders
- Counter Target on slow/poor finishers
- Man Marking without proper support
Conclusion
**Mastering individual instructions separates casual players from tacticians. Whether you’re locking down a superstar with 'Tight Marking', stabilizing your midfield with 'Defensive', or stretching defenses with 'Anchoring', these small tweaks can yield massive dividends.
As demonstrated throughout this guide, success isn’t about following trends — it’s about understanding *why* each instruction works and how to wield it strategically. Experiment, observe, refine — and soon, you’ll be dictating matches before kickoff even begins.
⚽ The pitch is yours — command it wisely.**
Source: https://b23.tv/RwTRY9j
