Tactics
Here you have to set your default tactics, so these will be used for every match. If you go to the Matches page, you can create tactics for each match separately too.
You have the possibility to switch between a basic tactics page and an advanced tactics page. You can change the default behaviour in the Preferences page.
1. Bench
Every team should select 5 to 12 players to start on the bench. You can play with 5 players but it is not recommended, as injuries, fatigue or foul trouble may happen - if you have less than 5 players on the court, your team will forfeit. If a player gets injured or fouls out, the first player on the bench, playing the same position as the player involved, will take his place. Note that although you have selected a player as a guard or forward or center, you can play him on any other position in the line-up.
2. Individual tactics
After selecting the bench, you should go on with the individual tactics part. Here you have to select all the players: playing position, type of play, defensive style, offensive style, offensive focus. (N.B. Available on advanced tactics page only).
- Playing Position (Inside/outside): Inside/outside position dictates where that player prefers to shoot. Selecting inside will make that player shoot more 2-pointers and selecting outside more 3-pointers. Selecting inside doesn't mean that player will not shoot 3-pointers; it's just that he will have a tendency to shoot more 2-pointers. The opposite goes for 3-pointers.
- Type of Play (Passer/shooter): Type of play means how that player will perform when having the ball. Selecting shoot most a player will tend to shoot every time he has the chance while with pass most he will attempt to find open teammates (even if he is open himself sometimes). Selecting shoot more doesn't mean that the player will shoot every time he has the ball, and selecting pass more doesn't mean that the player will only pass, he will have a slightly bigger chance to perform that action. The normal setting will try to keep the player decisions balanced.
- Defensive style: You can choose between aggressive, normal, soft. When playing aggressive on the defensive end, your player will be play better defence, but he will make more fouls and will also have a bigger chance to get injured. Playing soft will make that player be more relaxed on defence, resulting in fewer fouls and less chance for an injury. Normal means a balanced attitude on defence.
- Attacking style: You can choose between conservative, aggressive and normal. Choosing a conservative style will make your player be more cautious when attacking, making fewer mistakes, and safer passes. On the other hand, choosing an aggressive style will make that player act more explosive on the offence, doing highlight moves, but creating more turnovers. He will also have a bigger chance to get injured. For the normal style the player will act in a balanced way.
- Offensive focus: Offensive focus determines how often your player handles the ball in the offense.
3. Line-up
If you selected individual tactics for every player you can go on to the line-up. Here you have to select 5 players for each quarter.
NOTE: A player that stays in field all 4 quarters will receive a 20% penalty for the 4th quarter.
4. Defensive focus
Defensive focus determines how much effort will be given to covering a particular player. The defensive player guarding a player that is covered less than 100% will help out on the other offensive players. This page is available only in match-specific tactics, as it is intented to be used with a specific opponent team. (N.B. Available on advanced tactics page only).
5. Saving
After you have successfully completed your tactic, you have the possibility to save it in two different slots (five for supporters) giving it a name and choosing if it will become the default tactic for your matches. The default tactic is used every time you do not set a specific tactic for a match.
Remember to always wait for the confirmation message when saving a tactic.
New users
New users automatically have a default lineup set up. This lineup is not an ideal lineup, but allows new users to see how the game works. It is suggested that new users use this default lineup until they are comfortable with the game.
Bot teams
Ownerless teams will use a tactic updated weekly until their lineup is reset. Such a reset is made twice each season: Before the first match of the season and after the 15th round. When the reset is made, all ownerless teams will receive new starting players that will play in all future matches, until the team is assigned to a human player.
