--- title: "Guide: Tactics & Strategy" description: "Guide: Tactics & Strategy" url: https://support.goalunited.org/en/articles/172-guide-tactics-and-strategy collection: "Starter Guides" updated: 2026-11-11 language: en alternates: [fr, de, it, pl, es, tr] --- # Guide: Tactics & Strategy Guide: Tactics & Strategy Beyond placing players on the pitch, goalunited gives you several tactical tools to influence matches. Understanding each one and when to use it is what separates a good manager from a great one. ## **Choosing a Tactic** Tactics give sector-specific bonuses to some zones of the pitch while penalising others. They must be trained before they become reliable.

Training Level

Recommendation

Below 60%

Do not use → disadvantages outweigh benefits.

60–80%

Use cautiously in less important matches to continue training.

80%+

Viable. The advantages consistently outweigh the disadvantages.

100%

Fully trained → maximum benefit, minimum penalty.

> **Info:** In your first few weeks, leave tactics set to None. A neutral formation is better than an undertrained tactic that actively hurts you. To choose the right tactic, look at your opponent's last few matches: which sectors did they dominate? Which were weak? Then either exploit their weak areas or shore up the sectors they are strongest in. > **Info:** Use the Tactics Influence and Coach Influence visualisations on the formation page to preview how your tactic choice affects each sector before committing. ## **Marking** You must choose one marking style every match. Neither requires training, both are always available and carry no penalty:

Style

Effect

Man Marking

Strengthens your defensive sectors (1, 2, 3) by 7.5%. Best when you need to protect a lead or face a strong attack.

Zonal Marking

Strengthens your midfield sectors (4, 5, 6) by 5%. Best when you want to control possession.

## **Offside Trap** The offside trap tells your defenders to step up and catch opponents offside. A successful trap ends an attack instantly. A failed trap leaves a dangerous counter-attack opportunity. > **Warning:** Do not use the offside trap until it is trained to at least 80%. At low training levels, your defenders attempt it constantly but rarely succeed, creating dangerous chances for the opposition. Check your training level at Team → Training → Training Statistics. ## **The Personality Bonus** If your starting eleven contains 8 or more different personalities, every player in the lineup receives a 10% performance bonus. This is one of the most impactful and often overlooked optimisations. The personality count is shown in the formation builder's tactical guidance panel, in the middle above the pitch. Aim to hit 8 before saving. > **Warning:** If you make half-time substitutions, check the personality counter again afterwards. The 10% bonus only applies in the second half if you still have 8 different personalities on the pitch. ## **Analysing Your Opponent** Before every important match, visit your opponent's contact page. Key things to look for: - Their recent results and match reports — where did they win and lose sectors? - Their preferred tactic — do they always use the same one or switch? - Their strongest positions — where should you focus your own formation? - Their key players — any injured or suspended? > **Info:** The more matches you analyse, the faster you will build a feel for what formations and tactics work against specific styles of play. [Starter Guides](https://support.goalunited.org/collections/31)