Playing Tips

The extensive real-time management options available in ARC can be used to play any number of tactics and strategies. To be a successful coach you must chose a strategy that suits the skills of your team. You must also adapt your tactics during a match to counter your opponents, protect a lead or recover from a losing position.

If your match tactics are going to work you must select the right team to implement them. For example, if you want your Half Forward Line players to shoot from range you must make sure they have the kicking abilities to do so.

To help you get started, or if you are not familiar with Australian Rules Football, read the following hints on how to play the various field positions. These are only basic strategies (not all the command sliders are discussed) and you should adapt them to find your own style of play to suit both you and your players.


Full Back Line

Back Pockets (L&R), Full Back.
As the last line of defence it is the job of the three backs to frustrate the efforts of the opposition forwards. They must win possession of the ball and clear it out of the danger zone, quickly and safely.

Use the Pass command sliders to direct their passes away from the area immediately in front of goal.

It is generally a good idea to set the Offense command slider towards Pass The Ball to make sure the players do not take risks running with the ball near their own goal.

In the Follow coach command category, the Stay In Position / Follow Match-Up slider can be set towards the right to force these players to mark their men.

It is worth noting that the Full Back is the player who takes free kicks from behinds, so make sure he has the ability to kick the ball clear from in front of his own goal.


Half Back Line

Half Back Flank (L&R), Centre Half Back
These three players are your first line of defence, with similar defensive duties to the Full Back Line but also with an important role in starting attacks.

The basic tactical principles for these players are similar to the Full Backs, so the Pass, Offense and Follow coach command categories should be set in a similar way.

The Half Back players will be receiving a lot of passes from the Full Back Line. Make sure they are helping the Full Backs clear the danger zone by directing their Lead command sliders accordingly.


Centre Line

Wing (L&R), Centre.
The Centre Line players are the team's link between the defence and the forward players. Their main task is to receive the ball from the backs and relay it to the forwards. At the same time they must contest for possession and can be used to fortify your defence.

To get the best out of these players make sure their passing skills match the pass distance control, set with the Short/Long slider in the Pass coach command category. A player set to make short passes will handball more often than a player set to make long passes, who will make more footpasses.

The Centre Line players will be receiving a lot of passes from the back lines so use their Lead command sliders to match the passing of the backs.

Use the Tackle, Follow and Position coach command categories to move these players between defensive, attacking and neutral roles.

Half Forward Line

Half Forward Flank (L&R), Centre Half Forward,
The Half Forwards are the focal point of attacks as the ball is moved out of the middle of the field. They patrol a well defended area and need to be able to mark under pressure, then capitalise on an attack with good shooting, running on goal or close distribution to the Full
Forward Line.

Use the Shoot command sliders to control these player's shots. If they don't have good kicking skills you don't want them wasting an attack with missed attempts on goal.

Use the Offense command slider to control how much each half forward will attempt to run the ball to goal. Again, it is important that the players' skills are suited to the level of running you set.

Use the Follow and Position coach command categories to try and find space for these players and make them better targets.


Full Forward Line

Forward Pocket (L&R), Full Forward.
These players will be scoring the majority of your goals and behinds. The main objective of your team should be to kick the ball to the Full Forward Line so they can mark in front of goal. This should usually result in a goal, kicked from the free kick. At the same time a good Full Forward will contest strongly for the ball on the ground when the marks don't quite come off.

Use the Follow and Position coach command categories to try and find space for these players and make them better targets.

The Full Forward Line will be closely matched up so try using players with good pace and set them to lead large distances using the Lead command sliders.

Followers

Rover, Ruck Rover, Follower.
These players are perhaps the most important players in your team, requiring good all round skills. Traditionally their task is to roam the pitch, contesting bounce ups and throw-ins, battling for possession and setting up attacks. Each of the Followers may be given a specific task, strengthening certain areas of play.

To make sure these players roam the pitch, set the Follow command sliders towards Follow Play and Follow Match-up.

N.B. Take time in selecting your followers and use all the command sliders available to tailor each of them to play important roles in your team.