📏 OSM Line Tactics Guide: Forwards, Midfield and Defence
Updated: · Figures: the free Counter Engine's 54 public recommendations, computed when this page was built.
Line tactics tell each line of your team what to do. In all 54 free-engine recommendations the forwards attack only and the defence defends deep; the decision is the midfield: hold position in 17 and protect the defence in 37.
The three lines
- Forwards: how much your strikers help further back.
- Midfield: whether the midfield pushes on, holds its position or drops to protect the defence.
- Defence: how deep the back line stays.
How the engine decides it
The forward and defensive lines follow the players' profiles. The midfield instruction is the real choice: the engine picks the one that best covers the weakest side of your team, in attack or in defence. One option, supporting the forwards from midfield, was left out after measurements showed it hurt the defence without helping the attack.
Midfield instruction against each opponent formation
| Opponent | Hold position | Protect the defence |
|---|---|---|
| 4-3-3 A/B | 2 of 6 | 4 of 6 |
| 4-4-2 A/B | 3 of 6 | 3 of 6 |
| 4-2-3-1 | 2 of 6 | 4 of 6 |
| 4-5-1 | 0 of 6 | 6 of 6 |
| 5-2-3 A/B | 1 of 6 | 5 of 6 |
| 5-3-2 | 2 of 6 | 4 of 6 |
| 5-3-1-1 | 2 of 6 | 4 of 6 |
| 5-4-1 A/B | 1 of 6 | 5 of 6 |
| 6-3-1 A/B | 4 of 6 | 2 of 6 |
How it connects to the other settings
The offside trap is covered in the offside trap guide and marking in the marking guide.
Exact lines for your match
The Counter Engine gives the full line instructions with every counter tactic.
Frequently asked questions
- What midfield instruction should I use in OSM?
- Against most formations the free engine alternates between hold position (17 recommendations) and protect the defence (37), depending on venue and strength.
- Should my defence play deep?
- In the free engine's 54 recommendations the defence always defends deep, with the offside trap almost always off.