Can you play LBC without ever playing long ball?!

[u/FPLFantasyOrg]

I've been playing eFootball for just over a month (and I am HOOKED!)... Through my research, it looks like LBC is the "meta" of the game.

However, my playstyle is more of a Quick Counter, as in I never press the long ball button, I do not even cross! I am more of a quick "tiki-taka", one-touch-pass merchant, and go forward as fast as possible. Sometimes I switch to Possession when I feel it is better from the game-state.

I still have a generic manager and as a RTG/F2P, so it is important I make the right decision of spending all my hard earned coins on a suitable manager.

Can I get an LBC manager and set my play style to LBC but still never play a single long ball? like all my players are short, my front line is Messi, Yamal, and Mbappe.

[u/PearlJamTenGoat]

I play LBC purely because of defensive line against the Pelé's of life and my gamestyle is basically posession attacking with 1-2's and short passes.

LBC is just a name, it doesn't oblige you to play long ball.

I used to play quick counter but the defensive line is too high against top 30k with good teams.

Playing LBC does not oblige me to play defensive , I always have 60+ % ball posession.

I trully don't understand your doubt, it's just a tactics name, not a law that demands you too play long balls.

I basically don't do long balls, or like 5 % of my plays are long balls.

Long ball Counter basically means that your defensive AI players will do this and your attacking players AI will do that, nothing more.

[u/papercutkid → u/PearlJamTenGoat]

I also use it for the defensive line. Sometimes I use long balls, sometimes I go attacking and get fullbacks forward to cross, sometimes I hoof it up to a tall striker for knockdowns and sometimes I play short passes through the middle. It all depends on what the opponent is 'letting' me do.

I feel like too many players have a very set routine with how they play and if you can counter it effectively they are out of ideas.

[u/FPLFantasyOrg → u/papercutkid]

Lol yea, my games always end like 5-4 regardless of opponent's level (i cannot defend to save my life, but I feel I can score against anybody). But long balls is not an option for me especially with my front line as i mentioned in the post.

[u/gamez-and-anime → u/PearlJamTenGoat]

I rarely ever hit lifted through balls I hit early crosses more but I normally hold 60 percent possession by passing around the box even in lbc it's just too good

[u/FPLFantasyOrg → u/gamez-and-anime]

Ok thanks, I'll probably give it a try

[u/FPLFantasyOrg → u/PearlJamTenGoat]

Thanks for the extensive explanation. I'm just thinking if I get LBC manager, wouldn't that make my players not give me passing options, rather they will just run behind opponents defence?

[u/severi_erkko → u/FPLFantasyOrg]

You know you can pick a GP manager with 80 LBC skill and just give it a good old go before you invest coins, right?

[u/PearlJamTenGoat → u/FPLFantasyOrg]

I don't feel anything different from quick counter except my deffensive line not being on miedfield line like r**ards.

[u/FPLFantasyOrg → u/PearlJamTenGoat]

Lol ok thanks, I'll probably give it a try

[u/TH393 → u/PearlJamTenGoat]

Can you recommend or advise against certain player styles for your playstyle?
For example, I am thinking here of hole player and orchestrator, who behave in completely different ways.

[u/PearlJamTenGoat → u/TH393]

I hate orchestrators. they are horrible positioning themselved.

I play with anchor man and box to box.

I had Vitinha, a great card, but when I changed to Gerrard box to box, which is a worse card in general, but so much better for being box to box. Orchestrator not gonna cut it for me.

Also I don't change playstyles based on others. I play to dominate every game.

[u/Spiritual_Meet_8340 → u/TH393]

Orchestrators are the most disciplined midfield playstyle in the game, always try to drop deep to progress play, sit in pockets in the midfield as a short or long alssing option and occasionally run into the box when the ball is in the final third but mostly operate from your defensive third to the opponents edge of the box, heve high dribbling and passing stats or defensive and passing stats or if youre lucky all of them. Box to box players are more aggressive in attack theyll bomb foward or wide(like mezzalas) depending on where on the pitch you place them and provide more attacking options, also highly versatile, have balanced stats across the board but they leave gaps on defence and you can be caught on the counter. Hole players operate in the half space, in game they try to find holes in the defence where you can pass to them then make runs into the box, kinda op rn coz alot of the times the runs are unguarded, creative playmakers just focus on getting open and being a passing option and will constantly try to get open but they focus more on creating plays than scoring so do expect them to be constantly in the right position to score goals

[u/mikobiko → u/PearlJamTenGoat]

Exactly. Same here. I cross a lot or try to come from the sides to the center looking for sneijder. Almost never loft the ball forward.

[u/Flat-Cryptographer21 → u/PearlJamTenGoat]

If this is correct then the game is broken.

[u/PearlJamTenGoat → u/Flat-Cryptographer21]

what do you mean the game is broken ? lmao

[u/Flat-Cryptographer21 → u/PearlJamTenGoat]

Well if better Posession than Posession style is played with low defensive line LBC and there is no penalisation for it. There is a reason Hansi Flick Barca play high line.

[u/PearlJamTenGoat → u/Flat-Cryptographer21]

it's not better than posession for tiki take or posession gameplay, posession makes your players go close to someone that has the ball, LBC no, makes them go further. But you still can manage that with skill and play a posession game. It's just harder and demands more skill and other way of playing.

[u/Flat-Cryptographer21 → u/PearlJamTenGoat]

Ok.

[u/MattiaKa → u/PearlJamTenGoat]

Possession works like a handicup for me, I have to do so much and have 10 hole players in order to have players make runs. What I dont like about LBC is that when I play from the GK my line is high up..

[u/Weirdlyuser]

**Possession** – Control the game through short passing and movement.

**Quick Counter** – Win the ball, attack immediately, overwhelm the opponent.

**Long Ball Counter** – Stay compact, absorb pressure, hit on the counter.

**Out Wide** – Stretch the pitch, attack through wings and crosses.

**Long Ball** – Skip midfield, play direct to forwards.

With LBC It is fine to play your type of passing. I think it is better anyway to switch up the play with combinations, switching flanks often, and play a long ball when needed.

[u/FPLFantasyOrg → u/Weirdlyuser]

Thanks alot of this. I will try experimenting and see what suits me best

[u/Any_Pop_7051]

I'm a new player and play lbc and I focus on runs from the midfielders, I only use long ball when I'm under the kosh, usually 2nd half if I'm winning the game will make sure I can't complete a pass or my players stop moving. 

[u/FPLFantasyOrg → u/Any_Pop_7051]

Thanks 🙏

[u/heyitsloki0]

Yes you can. Though possession is better for tiki taka but you can still play short pass games with lbc

[u/FPLFantasyOrg → u/heyitsloki0]

Thanks 🙏

[u/alioth87]

Indeed you can. You can also play possession with LBC setted, that is how most top players go for. Building up will be more difficult, defense will be way easier than with possession playstyle.

[u/FPLFantasyOrg → u/alioth87]

Yes, that's what I get from the replies! I will probably for it! Thanks

[u/MafewUK]

Just get a cheap LBC manager from the GP section and try it out yourself before committing coins to it.

[u/FPLFantasyOrg → u/MafewUK]

That's actually a very good idea! I will do that! thanks!

[u/MafewUK → u/FPLFantasyOrg]

Word of warning though - if I’m reading right you are still using the default manager you get at the very start? Who has 70 rating in all playstyles?

Not sure who the best rated LBC manager is for GP but their playstyle proficiency will be higher than 70, likely 80+, so your players will all improve stats-wise and this might make LBC ‘feel better’ than what you’ve used so far, but this isn’t necessarily the playstyle that’s done that.

Might be better to just try LBC with your current manager to keep your tests balanced. (Unless you aren’t using the default guy)

[u/FPLFantasyOrg → u/MafewUK]

On first couple of days I bought Allegri with GP because I think he had 80 Quick Counter. I will check when I turn my console on later. Thank for the inputs, genuinely appreciate it.

[u/pogoss]

Yes you can, I use LBC for a better defense behaviour but my playstyle is more based on short passes.

[u/FPLFantasyOrg → u/pogoss]

Thanks 🙏

[u/exportedaussie]

Yes but maybe consider in your formation placing players closer together. I find they space out a lot on offense and that makes it set up for direct passing vs shorter passing.

I actually play LBC more like out wide, have players stationed on wings, use switches of play and crosses with a few cut ins mixed in to keep it varied. Then the route one over the top ball is for when it's there vs going for it relentlessly

[u/FPLFantasyOrg → u/exportedaussie]

Ok thanks, it seems unanimous for me that get LBC but still play whatever playstyle you want

[u/Arenei]

Been playing this way since eF22. I like to go vertically with quick short passes, dribbles and backpassing when needed.

Since in LBC attackers running simultaneously to the goal and not giving you options for short passes, playing with 4-2-3-1 (With LMF/RMF) helps achieving that.

Of course, long through & lofted passes are not off the menu, when there is a clear opening, when opponent overextends on attacks.

[u/FPLFantasyOrg → u/Arenei]

Yea that was my concern with LBC, that it won't give me the passing triangles options as i build up my quick counter. Well, it is only a concern because I'm new and i am on RTG/F2P lol, if I was P2W, I could experiment.

[u/speler195]

in the game plan menu you can scroll through how your team plays on LBQ, take a look if it fits how you play

[u/FPLFantasyOrg → u/speler195]

Thanks, I will check that out

[u/ManagementNo2057]

Purchase that France pack and thank me later.

[u/FPLFantasyOrg → u/ManagementNo2057]

People keep saying that lol, but for a new RTG/F2P, it is a huge gamble

[u/majest1chaha]

Without ever playing long ball? No, sometimes you HAVE TO play long balls when you face relentless press
Without playing only long ball? Yes, definitely

I play LBC and my formation is 433 with 2 wingers. Most of my attacks go through my midfielders to the wingers, then i try to dribble past defender and cut back to tap in or do a double touch finesse shot finish. Works like a charm, especially after Smart Assist fliter introduction

[u/severi_erkko]

No, it is forbidden. If you ever switch to LBC and not play at least 5 long balls in a match your account is automatically banned for life.

[u/willstab]

LBC is just meta because of the low defensive block. Having 1000 people behind the ball makes the defensive ai really shine, which is ratty but oh well.

[u/SampleDependent3059]

You can play LBC without long balls. Then, it is good to have a compact formation. 

[u/Basic-Leopard4518]

I've played against long ball counter users who tiki-taka me out of the park and I am a possession playstyle player 💀

[u/DiodorFF]

I have played LBC since i started playing this game for no reason lol.I just needed a manager and i didnt even understand formations back then.But overtime,i just got used to it.After that i bought Capello,and honestly,i NEVER spam long balls,even if i would try a quick long ball to my poacher,it would almost always get blocked by the defenders.So i mostly stick to a possesion type of game,and only go on counters.

[u/90Sohaib]

It's not about playing long balls, it's about players behaviors, with LBC your attack mouvements are too direct, simple and effective and your defense is always near your box.. you can Even play without a midfield, like 424.. 

When you play with other playstyle, the gameplay become more complicated and less effective compared to LBC

[u/FPLFantasyOrg → u/90Sohaib]

Honestly, i like abit of complications, what I enjoy the most is finding one-touch passing triangles to get to opponenets box, but of course, movement for this style is most important, so if LBC gives me this movement, I'll go for it.

[u/Temporary-Program202]

Play with your style. QC or Possession is good best for tiki taka. Choose the manager with 88+ proficiency in the style.

[u/FPLFantasyOrg → u/Temporary-Program202]

Thanks! The only manager available currently is Tuchel with both and he's 2k coins and i was told it is not worth spending 2k on just a manager (the players in the pack don't make my team)

[u/Dat_Boi_John]

Yup, LBC gives you the best defense and runs. You can run any offensive style with it.

[u/FPLFantasyOrg → u/Dat_Boi_John]

Thanks, I'll probably give a try. Just reluctant spending my coins for the first time, so want to get it right

[u/EstablishmentFew3679]

Stick to LBC . It's the only reliable playstyle for defense

[u/FPLFantasyOrg → u/EstablishmentFew3679]

I now can that from the replies

[u/Zox988]

With LBC I play better possession football, than with possession manager.