Football Manager 2021 – Player Traits Guide

by Falagar / Game Guides, General Guides / 17 Nov 2020

Every attribute plays a part in whether or not a Player Trait can be learned and, if learned, whether it is successfully used. The full list of traits and a very brief explanation of what they do are below:

Player Traits

Runs With Ball Down Left

Increases the frequency with which a player decides to run with the ball down the left.

Runs With Ball Down Right

Increases the frequency with which a player decides to run with the ball down the right.

Runs With Ball Through Centre

Increases the frequency with which a player decides to run with the ball in central areas.

Gets Into Opposition Area

Mostly governs how often a player makes forward runs but can be overridden by Player Instructions.

Moves Into Channels

Increases the frequency with which central players move into the space between their position and a wide attacking position; also allows wide players in certain roles to move inside into that space.

Gets Forward Whenever Possible

Increases the frequency with which a player makes forward runs, adjusting for team mentality.

Plays Short Simple Passes

Reduces the directness of a player’s passing.

Tries Killer Balls Often

Increases the frequency with which a player attempts through balls.

Shoots From Distance

Increases the likelihood of a player attempting long-range shots, particularly where his Flair attribute is greater than his Decisions attribute.

Shoots With Power

Increases the chances of a player opting to shoot with power over placement.

Places Shots

Increases the chances of a player opting to place his shots with accuracy rather than power them.

Curls Ball

Improves the player’s ability to curl the ball above and beyond his ability as already determined by his attributes.

Likes To Round Keeper

Increases the likelihood of a player looking to go around the goalkeeper in one-on-one situations.

Makes Runs In Behind

Increases the frequency with which a player looks to make runs in behind. The success is determined by his overall attribute profile.

Marks Opponent Tightly

Ensures that a player is set to tight marking by AI teams; improves the chances of him being successful at it if set in any team, but the overall success is still controlled by his attributes.

Argues With Officials

Increases the chances of a player showing dissent to match officials.

Plays With Back To Goal

The player looks to hold up the ball in attacking areas.

Comes Deep To Get Ball

Increases the frequency of a forward player dropping into midfield to get possession against a team playing with a deep defensive line.

Plays One-Twos

Increases the frequency with which a player makes a pass and immediately wants to receive the ball again, having moved into an advantageous position.

Likes To Lob Keeper

Increases the likelihood of a player looking to loft the ball over the goalkeeper when presented with a chance at goal.

Dictates Tempo

Increases the chances of the player taking charge of midfield situations and using their attributes to influence the team’s performance.

Attempts Overhead Kicks

Increases the chances of a player attempting a spectacular overhead kick rather than a header at goal or a pass to a teammate when in an attacking situation.

Looks For Pass Rather Than Attempting To Score

Increases the chances of a player opting to give a scoring chance to a team-mate rather than take it on himself. The success of the decision is based on the player’s attributes.

Plays No Through Balls

Decreases the frequency of a player looking to play through balls, adjusted for team mentality.

Stops Play

Increases the chances of a player simply coming to a stop in possession, primarily to assess his options.

Knocks Ball Past Opponent

Increases the chances of a player looking to beat his immediate opponent for sheer pace and athleticism and get into a more advantageous position.

Dwells On Ball

The player takes longer to make a decision when in possession.

Arrives Late In Opponents’ Area

Increases the frequency with which a player makes forward runs, adjusting for team mentality.

Tries To Play Way Out Of Trouble

Increases the chances of a player looking to pass or dribble when under pressure in a defensive position, rather than opting for the safety-first approach of clearing the ball.

Stays Back At All Times

The player does not make forward runs, adjusted for team mentality.

Avoids Using Weaker Foot

The player always looks to use their preferred foot where possible, even if the situation would benefit from them using their weaker foot.

Tries Long Range Free Kicks

Increases the chances of a player taking a direct shot from a free-kick 35 meters or more from goal.

Dives Into Tackles

Increases the frequency with which a player engages in a tackle. It does not simply mean the player ‘goes to the ground’ when challenging for the ball.

Does Not Dive Into Tackles

Decreases the frequency with which a player engages in a tackle. It does not simply mean the player stays on his feet when challenging for the ball.

Cuts Inside From Both Wings

Increases the frequency with which a player looks to attack central areas from a nominal wider starting position.

Hugs Line

Ensures the player remains in wide areas of the pitch whenever possible.

Hits Free Kicks With Power

Increases the chances of a free-kick being struck with a lower, harder trajectory.

Likes To Switch Ball To Other Flank

Increases the frequency of a player looking to move the ball from one half of the pitch to the other.

Possesses Long Flat Throw

Allows the player to deliver a long throw with a low and flat trajectory, akin to a cross, in attacking areas only.

Runs With Ball Often

Increases the chances of a player choosing to run with the ball rather than pass it.

Runs With Ball Rarely

Decreases the chances of a player choosing to run with the ball, instead of looking to make a pass at every turn.

Uses Long Throw To Start Counter Attacks

Goalkeepers only; increase the chances of them looking to make a quick throw to launch a counter attack.

Refrains From Taking Long Shots

The player does not attempt shots at goal from outside the penalty area.

Does not Move Into Channels

The player does not move from central areas into space between them and the wide positions; wide players similarly do not look to come inside to operate in that same space.

Cuts Inside From Left Wing

Increases the chances of a player looking to move inside from the left-wing and attack in central areas.

Cuts Inside From Right Wing

Increases the chances of a player looking to move inside from the right-wing and attack in central areas.

Crosses Early

Increases the chances of a player crossing from a deeper position rather than seeking to find a better opportunity higher up the pitch.

Brings Ball Out of Defence

Increases the likelihood of a defender running with the ball into midfield positions.

Moves Ball To Right Foot Before Dribble Attempt

This increases the likelihood of a player adjusting his body shape to play on his right foot when looking to dribble.

Moves Ball To Left Foot Before Dribble Attempt

This increases the likelihood of a player adjusting his body shape to play on his left foot when looking to dribble.

Likes Ball Played Into Feet

This increases the likelihood of a player showing and asking for passes to his feet rather than into space or a different part of the body.

Tries Tricks

This increases the chances of a player displaying more flair during matches and can result in a greater array of skills being used.

Winds Up Opponents

This increases the likelihood of a player trying to improve the morale of his team by attempting to impair that of his opponent in attempting to distract them from giving full focus.

Likes To Beat Man Repeatedly

This increases the likelihood of a player opting to dribble with the ball regardless of how many opponents are trying to dispossess him.

Develops Weaker Foot

This indicates the player is attempting to improve the quality of his weaker foot.

Gets Crowd Going

This increases the likelihood of a player seeking a positive reaction from the crowd at inappropriate moments when the ball is not in play. If successful, the team’s morale is improved slightly and they may display more positive body language.

Tries First Time Shots

This increases the likelihood of a player taking a shot before considering a touch to settle himself unless he’s one on one, at which point he takes the best course of action for that situation.

Tries Long Range Passes

This increases the chances of a player attempting to pass the ball over longer distances.

Plays Ball With Feet

This is goalkeeper-specific and increases the chances of a goalkeeper playing an active part in the build-up phase in possession.

Falagar

He is the founder and editor of Magic Game World. He loved gaming from the moment he got a PlayStation 1 with Gran Turismo on his 7th birthday.
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