Utilizing Player Attributes on Football Manager

As defined in the FMScout guide: FM – Player Attributes, we now know exactly what each attribute represents. So, as a manager you may wonder what exactly needs to be done in order to make the player perform to a high level. For example, how do you know a player will be intelligent in their play off the ball? Do you realize as the manager that in order to be a dominant presence in the area you need more than just Jumping Reach? What is the use if you can jump high if you can’t read the play or have the strength to compete with defenders?

It is important to understand that attributes work together to perform player actions. Think about it logically, a player can have the ability to play a long pass but not the ability to utilize it affectively in play as they are not able to read the pitch well enough. So, several attributes when combined can affect a player’s ability.

This guide will take you through the abilities of players and help you see what combinations of attributes (including hidden attributes) will lead to those abilities.

Mental Abilities

Intelligence
Definition: How well a player can choose an action to perform.
Mental Attributes: Anticipation, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork, Vision.

Creativity
Definition: A player’s intelligence when he/she is on the ball.
Mental Attributes: Anticipation, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork, Vision.

Movement
Definition: A player’s intelligence when he/she is off the ball.
Mental Attributes: Anticipation, Decisions, Teamwork.
Main Attributes: Off the Ball, Positioning.

Awareness
Definition: How well a player can understand a situation both on and off the ball.
Mental Attributes: Anticipation, Teamwork, Vision.

Decision Making
Definition: How well a player can choose an action based on his/her understanding on and off the ball.
Mental Attributes: Decisions, Flair, Teamwork.

Focus
Definition: How consistently a player can use his/her intelligence well.
Mental Attributes: Composure, Concentration.

Endeavour
Definition: How likely a player is to perform an action that requires particular effort or to put effort into an action.
Mental Attributes: Aggression, Bravery, Determination, Work Rate.

Physical Abilities

Physical Presence
Definition: How well a player can compete in a physical encounter with an opposition player.
Mental Attributes: Aggression, Bravery, Determination, Work Rate.
Main Attributes: Balance, Strength.
Other Attributes/Qualities: Weight, Anticipation

Aerial Presence
Definition: How well a player can reach an aerial ball coming towards him/her.
Mental Attributes: Determination, Work Rate.
Main Attributes: Jumping Reach.
Other Attributes/Qualities: Height, Balance, Strength, Anticipation.

Mobility
Definition: How quickly and nimbly a player can move.
Mental Attributes: Determination, Work Rate.
Main Attributes: Acceleration, Agility, Pace.
Other Attributes/Qualities: Balance, Strength, Decisions.

Attacking Abilities

Off the Ball Movement
Definition: How well a player can move into useful positions off the ball to either receive a pass or create space for teammates to exploit.
Mental Attributes: Anticipation, Decisions + Teamwork, Composure + Concentration, Determination.
Main Attributes: Off the Ball, Composure.
Other Attributes/Qualities: Vision, Team Work, Work Rate.

Control
Definition: How well a player can receive the ball and set it up for his/her next action.
Mental Attributes: Anticipation, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork + Vision, Composure + Concentration, Determination.
Main Attributes: First Touch, Technique, Composure.
Other Attributes/Qualities: Strength, Jumping Reach, Dribbling.

Passing Ability
Definition: How well a player can pass the ball to a teammate.
Mental Attributes: Anticipation, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork + Vision, Composure + Concentration, Determination.
Main Attributes: Passing, Technique, Composure.
Other Attributes/Qualities: Work Rate.

Crossing Ability
Definition: How well a player can cross the ball from wide into the opposition penalty area.
Mental Attributes: Anticipation, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork + Vision, Composure + Concentration, Determination.
Main Attributes: Crossing, Passing, Technique, Composure.
Other Attributes/Qualities: N/A

Dribbling Ability
Definition: How well a player can run with the ball.
Mental Attributes: Anticipation + Vision, Decisions + Flair, Concentration + Composure, Determination.
Main Attributes: Dribbling, Technique, Composure.
Other Attributes/Qualities: Strength, Balance, First Touch.

Shooting Ability
Definition: How well a player can shoot at the opposition goal.
Mental Attributes: Anticipation + Vision, Decisions + Flair, Composure + Concentration, Determination.
Main Attributes: Finishing, Long Shots, Technique, Composure.
Other Attributes/Qualities: Strength, First Touch.

Heading Ability
Definition: How well a player can make a headed pass or shot.
Mental Attributes: Anticipation, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork + Vision, Composure + Concentration, Determination.
Main Attributes: Heading, Technique, Composure.
Other Attributes/Qualities: Jumping Reach, Height, Agility, Balance.

Hold-Up Play
Definition: How well a player can hold up the ball by keeping it stationery or moving it slowly to allow teammates to move into better positions.
Mental Attributes: Anticipation + Teamwork, Decisions, Composure + Concentration, Determination.
Main Attributes: Composure.
Other Attributes/Qualities: Strength, Height, Weight, Balance, Agility, Technique.

Defensive Abilities

Marking Ability
Definition: How well a player can retain a position close to an opposition player that makes him a less viable passing option.
Mental Attributes: Anticipation, Decisions + Teamwork, Composure + Concentration, Determination.
Main Attributes: Marking, Composure, Positioning.
Other Attributes/Qualities: Agility, Acceleration, Strength, Jumping Reach.

Defensive Positioning
Definition: How well a player can retain a protective position that blocks a route to goal.
Mental Attributes: Anticipation, Decisions + Teamwork, Composure + Concentration, Determination.
Main Attributes: Composure, Positioning.
Other Attributes/Qualities: Agility, Acceleration, Strength, Jumping Reach, Vision.

Closing Down Ability
Definition: How well a player can move towards the opposition player on the ball in order to restrict his/her options and put him/her under pressure.
Mental Attributes: Anticipation, Decisions + Teamwork, Composure + Concentration, Aggression, Bravery + Determination.
Main Attributes: Composure, Positioning.
Other Attributes/Qualities: Agility, Acceleration, Pace, Stamina.

Tackling Ability
Definition: How well a player can take the ball from an opposition player.
Mental Attributes: Anticipation, Decisions, Composure + Concentration, Determination.
Main Attributes: Tackling, Composure.
Other Attributes/Qualities: Strength, Vision, Bravery, Acceleration.

Intercepting Ability
Definition: How well a player can move to intercept a pass made by the opposition.
Mental Attributes: Anticipation, Decisions + Teamwork, Composure + Concentration, Determination.
Main Attributes: Composure.
Other Attributes/Qualities: Vision, Agility, Balance, Strength, Jumping Reach, Work Rate, Positioning, Marking, Technique, First Touch.

Tracking Back Ability
Definition: How well a player can run back from an advanced position to take up a defensive position.
Mental Attributes: Anticipation, Decisions + Teamwork, Composure + Concentration, Determination.
Main Attributes: Composure.
Other Attributes/Qualities: Agility, Acceleration, Pace, Balance, Vision, Off the Ball, Work Rate, Strength.

Clearing Ability
Definition: How well a player can kick or head the ball away from danger.
Mental Attributes: Anticipation + Teamwork, Decisions, Composure + Concentration, Determination.
Main Attributes: Heading, Technique, Composure.
Other Attributes/Qualities: Strength, Weight, Agility, Decisions.