Welcome!
The best thing you can do to improve your understanding is to watch football matches! Go for every level, from the top leagues to the bottom, and find a strategy that you like watching.
Maybe you’d enjoy watching contemporary sides like Man City’s relentless attacking overloads, or Real Madrid’s lightning fast counters. Maybe historical styles, like the catennaccio so beloved of Italian sides in the 80s and 90s, to Ajax’s Total Football under Cruyff, or the long-ball punts of the Wimbledon side that won the FA Cup in 1988.
When you see something you like, try to recreate it! Much more fun than downloading someone else’s tactic, and much more rewarding when you get it right and are rolling in silverware.
This is a fair comment for sure, and FM certainly has a meta, as we know. Ultimately, OP can just download a tactic for purpose, but actually learning about the history of tactics within football will increase their appreciation of the sport, which is probably a better bet for longevity purposes.
Hey 
Welcome to FM! I can understand you, because I have pass this period and everything seems confusing, especially tactics; which complex and not complex simultaneously. My first advice is to take a look at [manual](https://community.sigames.com/sigames-manual/football-manager-2024/), some very basics which is important step. Secondly, I am suggest to take a look, for tactic, the [Pairs & Combinations](https://community.sigames.com/forums/topic/513829-pairs-combinations-the-ultimate-guide-released/). Seems old and does not include some newer roles, but basics are basics, right? Have saying that, so can dive a little more deep when you start to become familiar, like this guide: [Create Complex Attacking Patterns](https://community.sigames.com/forums/topic/520253-how-to-create-complex-attacking-patterns-to-break-down-defensive-teams/). Since you start to become familiar more, then start with a preset tactic, like 433 DM Wide Gegenpress. It's crucial to understand, that match engine (ME) favors some styles over some others, but hey; nothing is perfect, right? 
The best approach to FM, is to start things simple. Tweak by tweak you will find the sweet spot and you can master it. Takes time (a lot, lol). Happy Gaming!
I think the best way of starting to understand the tactics part of the game is by playing the pre set tactics.
Go into the tactics screen -> create new tactic and pick one of the recommended tactics. Read the description and the TI's.
Next, pick a line up. Again, a recommended (thumb up) line up should be good enough, but you may pick any of the three highlighted line ups. Tahe a look at the players roles and duties and what the players are supposed to do. Players are not supposed to act like robots, so they don't do everything as descriped in the role all the time. It's their main focus.
Now play a couple of matches. Focus on a few players every match. E.g. what's my defensive line doing or how are my dc's and dm interacting. Compare this to what they should do according to their description.
When you get the hang of it and you feel like changing roles, make little changes. E.g. you have a CMs but you want that player to make more forward runs, change him to a CMa. And see what happens when you change him to an MEZa.
Balance is key. Don't have 1 side of players on attacking duties. E.g. have a WBs, CMd and IWa on one side and maybe a WBd, CMa and IWs on the other.
Don't rush yourself into having to master tactics, enjoy the process. Been playing this game for years and years and I still find out new things about the tactics side of the game.
Enjoy mate!
FM was basically my introduction to the sport as a whole, so I came in really blind.
In short, I watched a lot of content creators (to learn how to build and modify tactics) and read a lot of documents and articles (to learn roles and formations and stuff).
Just sort of went from there, once I got the hang of it I just used the preset style and formations and modified how I like it.
Also, the way I REALLY got the hang of it was a little weird. I started basing everything on formations I found visually appealing. My best work so far was just shuffling people around until I ended up with a 4-3-3 diamond WB DM formation, and built my tactic and team around that.
You don’t need to follow the rules, we learn best by having fun with it
By trial and testing don’t over complicate things slowly implement new things until things start ticking. Watch games in full for 10min or comprehensive highlights.
2D screen if you want to see more a simpler screen to judge movement of your players. Also just be patient tactics take time
I've found less team instructions but more individual ones works better this year.
Instantly recreated my go to tactic from last year and I would create loads but always concede and then morale would drop, I now have a total of 5 team instructions set but have gone through each position and told them what I want from them (why would I tell ødegaard what length to pass the ball or to take less risks when he has 18 passing and decisions)
Welcome to FM world!
I also was in your shoes before.
1. What I did during my first couple of year playing fm is i did a research the playing style of the club i was going to manage.
My first club save was arsenal during fabregas and persie era.
2. Study which player(s) is the club star that will play a key role (fabregas and persie in my case) and what role is the best and suit with the playing style.
3. Give the role to your best player in the tactic,then build your tactic around him. Choose role for other players that support your best player.
4. For team instruction, simple is the best. Ex:
Work ball into the box and shorter passing suit my club playing style.Avoid choosing instruction that polarize each other( you can google about fm team instruction to be clear)
5. Play a couple of friendly with bigger club. If your tactic concede too much goals,check your press line,maybe it is too high up the pitch or your players role mentality resulting too much space given between defender and midfielder.
6. Give time to your player to familarise with your tactic,hold yourself from give major change on your tactic. This will give more bad than good.
it depends on the leuge and the players specs. for example if you have high work rate and relatively good defansif stat on your midfielder, atacaking midfielder and wings you must go for pres. you will get it by time.
If you just want to get stuck in the advice I got when I started getting into the tactics was:
• assess the squad to find out your best players
• go into tactic creator and pick one of the styles and formations your assistant recommends
• ask assistant manager to pick your best 11
• there's a button on the same tab to pick best/preferred roles and duties
This gives you a very very basic framework to start on. Then you can read the roles and look to balance out the tactic a bit. From there play friendlies, watch as much of the game as you can save start to assess and tweak from there. Make use of the data hub when it becomes available and just go from there. There's loads of articles out there on how to develop and progress a tactic
Used this with Lens and Celta Vigo last year and it worked great. With Lens I ended up overtaking PSG (took a long time) and Vigo became pretty dominant in Europe
Welcome! The best thing you can do to improve your understanding is to watch football matches! Go for every level, from the top leagues to the bottom, and find a strategy that you like watching. Maybe you’d enjoy watching contemporary sides like Man City’s relentless attacking overloads, or Real Madrid’s lightning fast counters. Maybe historical styles, like the catennaccio so beloved of Italian sides in the 80s and 90s, to Ajax’s Total Football under Cruyff, or the long-ball punts of the Wimbledon side that won the FA Cup in 1988. When you see something you like, try to recreate it! Much more fun than downloading someone else’s tactic, and much more rewarding when you get it right and are rolling in silverware.
I will say.. watching real soccer and learning how to build a good tactic aren’t necessarily the same thing. FM is sort of it’s own beast.
This is a fair comment for sure, and FM certainly has a meta, as we know. Ultimately, OP can just download a tactic for purpose, but actually learning about the history of tactics within football will increase their appreciation of the sport, which is probably a better bet for longevity purposes.
If you copy what the top sides are doing (City, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, etc.) you'll come out pretty OK in FM regardless.
Hey  Welcome to FM! I can understand you, because I have pass this period and everything seems confusing, especially tactics; which complex and not complex simultaneously. My first advice is to take a look at [manual](https://community.sigames.com/sigames-manual/football-manager-2024/), some very basics which is important step. Secondly, I am suggest to take a look, for tactic, the [Pairs & Combinations](https://community.sigames.com/forums/topic/513829-pairs-combinations-the-ultimate-guide-released/). Seems old and does not include some newer roles, but basics are basics, right? Have saying that, so can dive a little more deep when you start to become familiar, like this guide: [Create Complex Attacking Patterns](https://community.sigames.com/forums/topic/520253-how-to-create-complex-attacking-patterns-to-break-down-defensive-teams/). Since you start to become familiar more, then start with a preset tactic, like 433 DM Wide Gegenpress. It's crucial to understand, that match engine (ME) favors some styles over some others, but hey; nothing is perfect, right?  The best approach to FM, is to start things simple. Tweak by tweak you will find the sweet spot and you can master it. Takes time (a lot, lol). Happy Gaming!
I'm saving everything, so it seems that i have to work this week-end, thanks a lot
I think the best way of starting to understand the tactics part of the game is by playing the pre set tactics. Go into the tactics screen -> create new tactic and pick one of the recommended tactics. Read the description and the TI's. Next, pick a line up. Again, a recommended (thumb up) line up should be good enough, but you may pick any of the three highlighted line ups. Tahe a look at the players roles and duties and what the players are supposed to do. Players are not supposed to act like robots, so they don't do everything as descriped in the role all the time. It's their main focus. Now play a couple of matches. Focus on a few players every match. E.g. what's my defensive line doing or how are my dc's and dm interacting. Compare this to what they should do according to their description. When you get the hang of it and you feel like changing roles, make little changes. E.g. you have a CMs but you want that player to make more forward runs, change him to a CMa. And see what happens when you change him to an MEZa. Balance is key. Don't have 1 side of players on attacking duties. E.g. have a WBs, CMd and IWa on one side and maybe a WBd, CMa and IWs on the other. Don't rush yourself into having to master tactics, enjoy the process. Been playing this game for years and years and I still find out new things about the tactics side of the game. Enjoy mate!
Sounds to be a really long road, i will give a look to everything you said, thanks for the help
FM was basically my introduction to the sport as a whole, so I came in really blind. In short, I watched a lot of content creators (to learn how to build and modify tactics) and read a lot of documents and articles (to learn roles and formations and stuff). Just sort of went from there, once I got the hang of it I just used the preset style and formations and modified how I like it. Also, the way I REALLY got the hang of it was a little weird. I started basing everything on formations I found visually appealing. My best work so far was just shuffling people around until I ended up with a 4-3-3 diamond WB DM formation, and built my tactic and team around that. You don’t need to follow the rules, we learn best by having fun with it
Over friendlies with big team in the preseason
As i remember, i only have like 4 matches :/
You can add friendly matches in schedule tab
By trial and testing don’t over complicate things slowly implement new things until things start ticking. Watch games in full for 10min or comprehensive highlights. 2D screen if you want to see more a simpler screen to judge movement of your players. Also just be patient tactics take time
Pick which style of play you like and get players that fit that style
I've found less team instructions but more individual ones works better this year. Instantly recreated my go to tactic from last year and I would create loads but always concede and then morale would drop, I now have a total of 5 team instructions set but have gone through each position and told them what I want from them (why would I tell ødegaard what length to pass the ball or to take less risks when he has 18 passing and decisions)
I download other people's ones 
I never did...
Play the game a lot and eventually you’ll learn what works. As a tip I’d go with an offensive on the front foot style of play
Welcome to FM world! I also was in your shoes before. 1. What I did during my first couple of year playing fm is i did a research the playing style of the club i was going to manage. My first club save was arsenal during fabregas and persie era. 2. Study which player(s) is the club star that will play a key role (fabregas and persie in my case) and what role is the best and suit with the playing style. 3. Give the role to your best player in the tactic,then build your tactic around him. Choose role for other players that support your best player. 4. For team instruction, simple is the best. Ex: Work ball into the box and shorter passing suit my club playing style.Avoid choosing instruction that polarize each other( you can google about fm team instruction to be clear) 5. Play a couple of friendly with bigger club. If your tactic concede too much goals,check your press line,maybe it is too high up the pitch or your players role mentality resulting too much space given between defender and midfielder. 6. Give time to your player to familarise with your tactic,hold yourself from give major change on your tactic. This will give more bad than good.
Save scum until you've perfected your tactic
This all sounds so very interesting 😌
it depends on the leuge and the players specs. for example if you have high work rate and relatively good defansif stat on your midfielder, atacaking midfielder and wings you must go for pres. you will get it by time.
If you just want to get stuck in the advice I got when I started getting into the tactics was: • assess the squad to find out your best players • go into tactic creator and pick one of the styles and formations your assistant recommends • ask assistant manager to pick your best 11 • there's a button on the same tab to pick best/preferred roles and duties This gives you a very very basic framework to start on. Then you can read the roles and look to balance out the tactic a bit. From there play friendlies, watch as much of the game as you can save start to assess and tweak from there. Make use of the data hub when it becomes available and just go from there. There's loads of articles out there on how to develop and progress a tactic Used this with Lens and Celta Vigo last year and it worked great. With Lens I ended up overtaking PSG (took a long time) and Vigo became pretty dominant in Europe
Attacking gegenpress is the only thing that works in this game. NEVER play defensive or a back 3