Understanding Counter Attack?

Can somebody explain to me how checking the 'counter-attack' box works? Does it mean that your team will look to counter attack when possible instead of slowing the play down? Or does it mean that your team will adopt a classic 'counter attack' strategy whereby they actively look to attack on the break and let the opposition come on to them?

My understanding is that the counter-attack box means that you will look to hit the team on the break whenever the chance arises, regardless of your tactic. I keep counter-attack checked even when my basic tactic is attacking, because I have a lot of speed in my team and want to take advantage of it whenever I can.

The second option you describe -- the classic counter-attack strategy -- can be put in place by choosing "Counter" as your tactic (as opposed to Attack, Defend, Control, etc.)

counter attack tick box is for getting the ball forward quickly after the opp attack breaks down.

the counter setting is just a name. i dont think it specifically makes you counter.

From the horse's mouth as it where

originally posted by PaulC

http://community.sigames.com/showpost.php?p=2906696&postcount=315

A counter attack in FM is launched when a team gets the ball and there are less than X opposing players between the ball and their goal.

Ticking the counter attack box means that X is a higher value.

Once on counter attack, a team will play as if on highest mentality until the counter attack phase of play ends.

originally posted by PaulC

http://community.sigames.com/showpost.php?p=2907549&postcount=343

Having read Mitja's comments on counter attacking I have made a change going forward. Now, when a counter attack is instigated, the mentality will be considerd 20 and the forward runs setting moved up a notch ( if possible ) for each player during that attack.

You can most clearly see the effect if you happen to use a DMC with Runs From Deep = Rare. Probably noticeable with full backs too if they get triggered but tbh I don't know for certain since I've never looked at FBs with Rare and Counter Attack ticked.

Ah thats useful information.

I have to say the counter attack option seems a lot more potent in 10.3. My team has scored 3 stunning counter attack goals since the patch in around 10 games, with players picking the right pass instead of a poor one resulting in the counter attack breaking down, top stuff:thup: