Long Ball Counter
A resilient, low-block counter-attacking style featuring a 25m defensive block, compact rest-defense, and long 50m clearances to physical Target Men and sprinting strikers.
“Possession without penetration is an illusion. Let them have 70% of the ball — we build a fortress outside our box and strike with lethal 50-yard clearances!”
Manual Tactical Instructions & Sliders (Long Ball Counter)
Original PES engine tactical sliders and preset toggles as analyzed in “The Truth About eFootball Playstyles”.
Tactical Slider Meters (1-10)
Preset Engine Configuration
Defensive Block Geometry
Tactical Performance Profile & Radar Metrics
6 Key AttributesPro Tactical Advice (Video Breakdown):
- • Do NOT press manually in the opponent half; let your 25m low block screen the penalty arc naturally.
- • Utilize a Target Man CF to chest down 50m clearances and lay off flick-ons to second-ball runners.
- • Anchor Man DMF and Defensive Full-backs ensure your backline never breaks rest-defense structure.
Common In-Game Mistakes to Avoid:
- • Dragging CBs out of position manually to tackle destroys LBC's main strength (compactness).
- • Failing to have fast runners around the Target Man leaves long clearances isolated.
Interactive Tactical Movement & Defensive Control Simulator
Visualize defensive line height, passing vectors, 3-phase off-ball movement, and Pressing vs. Match Up zones in real time.
Team collapses into a compact 25m low block; 4-man defense screens the 18-yard box.
Audited Defensive Controls: Pressing vs. Match Up
Only press inside the 18-yard box when opponent attempts a final shot or cutback.
Hold L2 Match Up continuously to block central through-balls, intercept passing lanes, and force opponent wide.
DO NOT press in the opponent half! Hold L2 Match Up with your DMF and CBs to maintain strict 25m block shape. Only lunge/press inside your own penalty arc.
Defensive Mechanics: Where to Press (X/R1) vs. Match Up (L2)
Audited distinction between official Konami engine mechanics, high-level community consensus, and exact controller inputs for Long Ball Counter.
25m Low Block Fortress & All-out Defence. Dense 4-man banks screen the penalty arc without leaving space behind.
DO NOT press in the opponent half! Hold L2 Match Up with your DMF and CBs to maintain strict 25m block shape. Only lunge/press inside your own penalty arc.
Match Up across midfield & defensive third (30-65m); Press ONLY inside own 18-yard penalty box (10-30m).
Tactical Principles & Managerial On-Pitch Execution
Step-by-step locker room briefing addressing the squad by phase, detailing exact positional instructions and recommended formations.
"Men, let them pass the ball side-to-side in front of us — possession in non-threatening areas does not win matches! We form an impenetrable 25m low block. Defensive Goalkeeper, stay anchored on your goal line. Defensive Full-backs, hold a strict 4-man line alongside our CBs. Clear every cross entering our 18-yard box!"
Defensive Goalkeeper stays on goal line. Defensive Full-backs and CBs form a compact 4-man wall inside the penalty arc.
Anchor Man and CMFs screen the central 18-yard arc, blocking passing channels into opposition playmakers.
"The second we block a shot or intercept a cross, I do not want short passes inside our box where turnovers cost goals! Build Up CBs and Anchor Man, launch a direct 50-meter lofted clearance straight to our Target Man before their full-backs can retreat!"
CBs and Anchor Man launch high 50m lofted clearances directly toward the opposition half.
Box-to-Box CMFs push up to the center circle to swarm second balls.
"Target Man, use your Physical Contact to outmuscle their center-back and chest down long clearances. Fox in the Box and Hole Player, sprint onto his header flick-ons and finish with first-time strikes inside their penalty area!"
Target Man contests aerial duels, flicking headers into open channels or holding up possession.
Fox in the Box and Hole Player sprint past the Target Man to finish loose balls inside the 18-yard box.
Tactical Matchup Analysis (Counters & Vulnerabilities)
Detailed breakdowns of which formations and team playstyles this tactic dominates versus where it struggles.
Do Better Against (Tactical Dominance)
Formations & Playstyles it hard-counters
The ultimate hard-counter to high-pressing systems, neutralizing through-balls with a 25m low block and launching 50m counter-attacks.
Direct hard counter to Quick Counter! LBC's 25m low block neutralizes Quick Counter's vertical sprinters, while 50m clearances exploit Quick Counter's 85m line.
Weak Against (Tactical Vulnerabilities)
Formations & Playstyles it struggles against
Vulnerable to wide touchline crossing overloads that bypass the central 25m penalty arc fortress.
Out Wide exploits LBC's central compactness by shifting play laterally and pouring high-volume pinpoint crosses into the box for Target Men.
Positional Blueprint Matrix
Stays anchored on the goal line to maximize reflex shot-stopping.
Dominates physical box duels and heads away incoming crosses.
Maintains a strict 4-man rest-defense line, prioritizing 1v1 ground tackles.
Screens the central 18-yard arc, blocking long shots and ground passes.
Contests central second-ball battles and initiates long clearance passes.
Pounces on Target Man flick-ons to surge past opposition defenders.
Holds up 50m clearances under pressure and lays off flick-ons.
Recommended Compatible Formations
See Also & Related Tactics
4-4-2
Timeless traditional shape with twin banks of four and dual strikers.
5-3-2 Wing-Back Low Block
Impenetrable defensive fortress with 3 center-backs and 2 wing-backs.
4-3-1-2 Narrow Diamond
Dense central diamond power shape suffocating opposition central build-up.
Target Man
A physically dominant focal point striker who uses strength to hold up long passes, win aerial duels, and lay off passes to runners.
Fox in the Box
A pure box finisher who holds position inside the 18-yard area, converting crosses and rebound opportunities rather than creating outside.
Hole Player
An aggressive midfielder who times late penetrative runs into the box to finish chances created by the forward line.
Anchor Man
A disciplined defensive midfielder who stays home in front of the back four, shielding central channels and refusing to advance.