PowerPlay περιοδικό

We are nearing the halfway point in the season and this means we are nearing playing teams for the second time where choices about style of play (counter-tactic) can become more complicated as what you used in the first game will be considered by the opposition when determining how they play the second game.

As explained in the guide (a must read) there are six styles of play to choose from with each style having an effective counter-style.  Additionally, (though debated by some people) the guide clearly states that a different style of play is suitable for different teams based on the composition of player attributes.

I have already noticed that my team plays slightly worse on one of the styles though as yet I don’t think its bad enough to warrant not using it if I know the other team will play the style it will counter.  However, as time rolls by and peoples builds for players begin to focus on a certain composition of attributes I believe this will come into play more and more.

As it does the question will become do you stick with the tactic that is best for your team or do you keep trying to match your tactic to counter the other team?

During season 1 I stuck with the same style (normal) for pretty much most games as I figured that normal was probably the best tactic for a team that hadn’t tried to specialise in one type of play.  Seemed to work very well, though looking back I think it had more to do with people not playing the correct counter-tactic most of the time.

During season 2 I knew I couldn’t continue sticking with the same tactic and started mixing and matching to suit who I was playing.  This lead to some good and some bad decisions but also increased the level of fun as I agonised over which style to play against the good teams only to change my mind at the last second and then find out I should have stuck with my original choice.

Now season 3 has rolled around and it seams a large amount of teams are changing styles of play constantly.  Is this sustainable?  Would it be better to try and specialise ones team to play one or two styles very well and then just use those?  I’m pretty sure a team who’s good at the defensive style won’t play an offensive style very well but people seem to use both without thinking about it.  On the other hand there would seem to be some tactics which could go together quite nicely.

Let us know your opinions on styles of play.  What have you found works best? Do you stick to one style of play or do you adjust it depending on who you are playing?  When choosing styles, do you just try and counter the other team or are you considering your own team’s strengths as well?