Utilizing Player Attributes - FM 2022 Guide

- UPDATED FOR FM22 -
- PART 3 OF THE PLAYER GUIDE SERIES -

As defined in the FMScout guide: "Understanding 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 realise 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 utilise it effectively in play as they are not able to read the pitch well enough or be quick enough to execute the pass.

So, several attributes when combined can affect a player’s ability to perform specific actions.

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

How well a player can choose an action to perform.

Mental Attributes: Anticipation, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork, Vision.

Creativity

A player’s intelligence when he/she is on the ball.

Mental Attributes: Anticipation, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork, Vision.

Movement

A player’s intelligence when he/she is off the ball.

Mental Attributes: Anticipation, Decisions, Teamwork.

Main Attributes: Off the Ball, Positioning.

Awareness

How well a player can understand a situation both on and off the ball.

Mental Attributes: Anticipation, Teamwork, Vision.

Decision Making

How well a player can choose an action based on his/her understanding on and off the ball.

Mental Attributes: Decisions, Flair, Teamwork.

Focus

How consistently a player can use his/her intelligence well.

Mental Attributes: Composure, Concentration.

Endeavour

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

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

How well a player can reach an aerial ball coming towards him/her.

Mental Attributes: Determination, Work Rate. Main Attributes: Jumping Reach.

Other Attributes: Height, Balance, Strength, Anticipation.

Mobility

How quickly and nimbly a player can move.

Mental Attributes: Determination, Work Rate. Main Attributes: Acceleration, Agility, Pace.

Other Attributes: Balance, Strength, Decisions.

Attacking Abilities

Off the Ball Movement

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: Vision, Team Work, Work Rate.

Control

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: Strength, Jumping Reach, Dribbling.

Passing Ability

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: Work Rate.

Crossing Ability

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.

Dribbling Ability

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: Strength, Balance, First Touch.

Shooting Ability

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: Strength, First Touch.

Heading Ability

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: Jumping Reach, Height, Agility, Balance.

Hold-Up Play

How well a player can hold up the ball by keeping it stationary 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: Strength, Height, Weight, Balance, Agility, Technique.

Defensive Abilities

Marking Ability

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: Agility, Acceleration, Strength, Jumping Reach.

Defensive Positioning

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: Agility, Acceleration, Strength, Jumping Reach, Vision.

Closing Down Ability

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: Agility, Acceleration, Pace, Stamina.

Tackling Ability

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: Strength, Vision, Bravery, Acceleration.

Intercepting Ability

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: Vision, Agility, Balance, Strength, Jumping Reach, Work Rate, Positioning, Marking, Technique, First Touch.

Tracking Back Ability

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: Agility, Acceleration, Pace, Balance, Vision, Off the Ball, Work Rate, Strength.

Clearing Ability

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: Strength, Weight, Agility, Decisions.

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Where to go From Here?

We are now able to see the best abilities of your player and determine how effective they can be on the pitch. But this does not end your understanding of your players, nor does this mean they will become superstars. Player traits, rolls, tactics, styles of play and many other factors can improve your understanding of your players and getting the best out of them.

So now that you have an understanding of abilities, it is now time to start working on your tactic. In order to do that you need to understand what exactly roles are and understand the function of each position - after all there is a difference between an Advanced Forward and Target Man, and the Wing-Back is miles apart from a Full-Back. Your next stop is to head over to the Understanding Player Roles Guide here on FMScout and start to look at the Tactical Development Workshop in the meantime along with other tactical guides that are here.