Video summary

PLAYER TRAITS IN FM24 EXPLAINED | FM24 COMPLETE GUIDE

Main summary

Key takeaways

Gaming

Storyline / Narrative

This video doesn’t follow a traditional storyline. It’s an instructional walkthrough for Football Manager 2024 (FM24) focused entirely on player traits—what they are, why they matter, and how to choose/train them to improve on-field behavior beyond role instructions.

Core Ideas: What Player Traits Do

  • Player traits are personality/behavior characteristics that strongly affect how players act in matches.
  • Traits can override tactical role/play instructions.
    • Example: even if a player is set as a winger, a trait like “cuts inside with ball” may still make him cut inside.
  • If a trait doesn’t fit your tactics, you can unlearn/remove it—shifting your training from “train” to “get rid of.”

Key Gameplay Impacts & “Match Engine” Highlights

  • Traits can change the same role into very different on-pitch behavior.
    • Example logic: two Advanced Forwards won’t play identically if their traits differ (e.g., offside behavior, receiving style, etc.).
  • Traits are emphasized as a way to gain the edge and create more consistent match patterns.
    • Examples mentioned include:
      • high-pressing aggression
      • quick switching of possession
      • different attacking tendencies

Training & Management Workflow (How Traits Are Applied)

Adding a Trait

  • Go to the Development tab and click “Discuss new trait” (small button).
  • Choose the trait and select a coach.
  • Coaches list specialties, such as:
    • defending / set pieces
    • mental defending/attacking
    • movement / passing / finishing (depending on the coach)

Coach Guidance vs. Manager Authority

  • The speaker suggests coaches are often best for training traits they specialize in.
  • However, you should still override them if you want the trait.

Removing Traits

  • Removal works similarly via coach discussions, with different wording.
  • UI expectation:
    • training indicators go green when training
    • they go red when trying to remove
  • Training reports may show whether the player is getting closer to removal/finishing the change.
    • If not progressing, consider removing it to avoid wasting development time.

When to Train Traits (Timing Advice)

  • Best times (speaker’s preference):
    • earlier in development so it doesn’t disrupt overall growth
    • or around/after the peak development age (example preference point: around 21)
  • For youth players: apply traits early so they match your first-team style when they arrive.

Goalkeeper Traits (Limited Set)

The video claims goalkeeper traits are very limited (only a few):

  • Passing
    • Helps with building counterattacks using long throws.
  • Finishing
    • Mentioned as linked to long-range free kicks.
  • Discipline
    • Cannot be coached as a new trait; it’s either naturally present or not.
    • May be inherited/mentor-able between goalkeepers.
  • Technique
    • Helps avoid using the weaker foot (for outfield build-up), reducing dangerous passing.

Decision-Making as the Central Theme

A major theme is that decision-making is central to FM success and real football. The discussed traits are tied back to decision-making as frequently as possible (framed as the foundation of effective play).

Player Examples Used to Demonstrate Traits

Jan Loca Diarra (backup left back)

  • Claimed to overperform attributes due to traits.
  • Highlighted traits/behavior:
    • runs with ball down the left
    • plays one-twos
    • gets into the OPP position area (productive positioning)
    • switches ball to wide areas (sometimes to the right if pressed)
    • beats opponents repeatedly (suggesting needs pace/dribbling)
  • Evidence cited:
    • consistent ratings and contributions across domestic cup/league matches
    • appearances off the bench

Enrio del prado (defender / inverted fullback example)

  • Presented as a tactical archetype:
    • strong defender mentality
    • covers inside when attacking
    • stays more conservative rather than overlapping

Recommended Trait “Themes” by Player/Position

Fullbacks / Wing-backs (Attacking Emphasis)

  • “Runs with ball down left/right” style traits are described as extremely overpowered for top teams.
  • If you want fullbacks to break low blocks:
    • prioritize traits enabling:
      • dribbling
      • getting behind
      • cutbacks/crosses
  • Contrast mentioned:
    • dribbling fullbacks vs. fullbacks who mostly don’t progress the ball

Defensive Play (Controlling Aggression)

Three defending traits are emphasized:

  • Throwing himself into tackles / diving into tackles
    • May lead to more fouls and potentially more cards, but not guaranteed to be “bad.”
    • Suggested for counterattacking systems where you want ball wins in the right zones.
    • Hidden factor: dirtiness affects how risky aggressive tackling becomes.
    • Also distinguishes:
      • aggression = willingness to commit
      • vs. dirtiness/cheekiness
  • Staying on his feet
    • Used when a player isn’t good enough defensively—safer positioning.
  • Marking opponents tightly
    • Recommended especially for fullbacks with physical/pacing ability to recover.

Center-backs and Build-up

  • Highly recommended trait: bringing the ball out of defense
    • Works well against low blocks
    • Draws midfield pressure onto the CB, potentially freeing midfielders
    • Improves value in buildup play

Midfield/DM/CM: Switching Play Quickly

  • Recommended: switch possession to the other side
    • Framed as very strong versus pressing teams
    • Examples used: Man City / PSG / Bayern
    • Creates quick exploitation of space and disrupts compressed pressing shapes

Wingers / Attacking Movement

The video lists multiple winger/attacking traits and how they change behavior:

  • Wingers can be trained to:
    • drive inside or operate into channels
    • get into opposition area
    • arrive late when possible
    • attempt first-time shots (for high decision-making/technique)
    • cut inside from either side
  • Position-based idea: different traits exist by position, and only certain traits “make sense” for certain roles.

Passing and Attacking Trait Recommendations (Examples Named)

Help Players Receive in Space / Avoid Over-Long Balls

  • Recommended: want the ball into his feet more often
    • Helps avoid excessive channel/long-ball play
    • Benefits players with good:
      • first touch
      • technique
      • agility
      • balance
    • Works well with deep line forwards and attacking link play

Counterball / Progression

  • Pairing idea:
    • combine ball into feet traits with:
      • tries killer balls (if available)
      • early crossing when opportunities appear

Finishing & Chance Creation Traits

  • Long-range free kicks
  • Long shots
    • Said to increase willingness to attempt long-range efforts
    • Can overperform even with modest long-shots attributes
  • Try to lob the goalkeeper (1v1 option)
    • Mentioned as going to the “side” for better angle in FM terms
  • Shot selection nuances:
    • Place shots
      • better for technical players with decision-making/technique
    • Shoot with power
      • useful if finishing isn’t great
      • if on target, may still beat the keeper
      • tradeoff: more power can reduce accuracy

“Fewer long shots” (Counter-trait Idea)

  • If a player is already good at long shots, you may want to force them to take them less often to avoid overreliance.

Defining “When NOT to Dismiss” a Trait

The speaker warns against judging traits purely by stereotypes. Example: “dives into tackles” doesn’t automatically mean “bad.”

  • Use hidden/secondary factors:
    • dirtiness
    • aggression These affect how dangerous a trait becomes.

How to Browse Traits in FM24 (Source Tool)

  • Use player search:
    • Edit search → General player trait
  • This shows the full list of traits and helps find players who already have them.
  • Some traits can’t be newly coached (example mentioned):
    • Argues with officials (and it may create discipline issues)

Gamers / Sources Mentioned at the End

No specific external gamers/streamers or credited sources were named in the subtitles. The only “names” referenced were:

  • Coaches used as example save UI names (e.g., Robinson, Morris)
  • Player/football references:
    • Kevin De Bruyne
    • Lionel Messi
    • Luka Modrić
    • Tony Kroos / Xabi? (subtitle unclear; “Tony Cruz” mentioned)
    • Historical examples like Iniesta/Xavi (subtitles suggest “shavey back” = Xavi)
  • Real football teams used as examples:
    • Man City, PSG, Bayern Munich

No other creators or channels were explicitly identified.

Original video