How to create tactical templates?

Hy

I'd like to have my own individual instructions set as templates. I'm not very good at programing and I'm not sure if this could harm my game. I need help from people who have experience with this.

Thank you

C:\Program Files\Sports Interactive\Football Manager 2009\data\tactics

There is an xml file called tactical_templates.xml

Right click it and go Open with > Notepad

You'll see (The red section explains the variables, not in red in actual xml):-

[b][i][color=red]<![/color][color=red]-- If any values are set to 0, or not declared they will set to the team default, or false  -->[/color][/i][/b]
[b][i][color=red]<!-- name = this is the name which will be displayed for the tactic template.       -->[/color][/i][/b]
[b][i][color=red]<!-- ment = Mentatlity type. 1-20                 -->[/color][/i][/b]
[b][i][color=red]<!-- crea = Creative Freedom type. 1 to 20                -->[/color][/i][/b]
[b][i][color=red]<!-- pass = passing style 1-20                  -->[/color][/i][/b]
[b][i][color=red]<!-- clos = Closing Down 1-20                  -->[/color][/i][/b]
[b][i][color=red]<!-- tack = Tackling Easy Easy = 1, Normal = 2, Hard = 3           -->[/color][/i][/b]
[b][i][color=red]<!-- forw = Forward Runs? Rarely = 1 Mixed = 2 Often = 3           -->[/color][/i][/b]
[b][i][color=red]<!-- ruwb = Run With Ball? Rarely = 1 Mixed = 2 Often = 3           -->[/color][/i][/b]
[b][i][color=red]<!-- long = Long Shots? Rarely = 1 Mixed = 2 Often = 3            -->[/color][/i][/b]
[b][i][color=red]<!-- trtb = Try Through Balls? Rarely = 1 Mixed = 2 Often = 3          -->[/color][/i][/b]
[b][i][color=red]<!-- cros = Cross Ball? 1= Rarely, 2 = Mixed, 3= Often            -->[/color][/i][/b]
[b][i][color=red]<!-- mark = Marking type. Zonal = 1, Man Marking = 2.            -->[/color][/i][/b]
[b][i][color=red]<!-- dist = Distribution type. (GK's only) Long Kick = 1, Ask defenders to come collect = 2 quick throw = 3 -->[/color][/i][/b]
[b][i][color=red]<!-- crof = Cross From: 1 = mixed, 2 = Deep, 3 = Touchline/Byline            -->[/color][/i][/b]
[b][i][color=red]<!-- croa = Cross Aim: 1 = Mixed, 2 = Centre, 3= Far Post, 4 = Man, 5 = Near Post     -->[/color][/i][/b]
[b][i][color=red]<!-- tmar = Tight Marking? team = 1, no = 2, yes = 3            -->[/color][/i][/b]
[b][i][color=red]<!-- free = Free Role? true/false                 -->[/color][/i][/b]
[b][i][color=red]<!-- houb = Hold Up Ball? true/false                -->[/color][/i][/b]

<properties>
<list id="lrls">
 <record>
   <string id="name" value="Goalkeeper[COMMENT: tactical_templates; Position]"/>
   <integer id="ment" value = "1"/>
   <integer id="crea" value = "1"/>    
   <integer id="pass" value = "10"/>
   <integer id="clos" value = "1"/>
   <integer id="tack" value = "1"/>    
   <integer id="forw" value = "1"/>
   <integer id="ruwb" value = "1"/>
   <integer id="long" value = "1"/>       
   <integer id="trtb" value = "1"/>    
   <integer id="cros" value = "1"/>        
   <integer id="mark" value = "1"/>        
   <integer id="dist" value = "3"/>    
   <integer id="crof" value = "1"/>
   <integer id="croa" value = "1"/>
   <integer id="tmar" value = "1"/>

   <boolean id="free" value="false"/>
   <boolean id="houb" value="false"/>
 </record>

        <record>
   <string id="name" value="Sweeper"/>
   <integer id="ment" value = "1"/>
   <integer id="crea" value = "3"/>    
   <integer id="pass" value = "10"/>
   <integer id="clos" value = "8"/>
   <integer id="tack" value = "2"/>    
   <integer id="forw" value = "1"/>
   <integer id="ruwb" value = "2"/>
   <integer id="long" value = "1"/>       
   <integer id="trtb" value = "1"/>    
   <integer id="cros" value = "1"/>        
   <integer id="mark" value = "1"/>            
   <integer id="crof" value = "2"/>
   <integer id="croa" value = "1"/>
   <integer id="tmar" value = "1"/>

   <boolean id="free" value="false"/>
   <boolean id="houb" value="false"/>
 </record>


 <record>
   <string id="name" value="Centre Back[COMMENT: tactical_templates; Position]"/>
   <integer id="ment" value = "3"/>
   <integer id="crea" value = "1"/>    
   <integer id="pass" value = "15"/>
   <integer id="clos" value = "5"/>
   <integer id="tack" value = "2"/>    
   <integer id="forw" value = "1"/>
   <integer id="ruwb" value = "1"/>
   <integer id="long" value = "1"/>       
   <integer id="trtb" value = "1"/>    
   <integer id="cros" value = "1"/>        
   <integer id="mark" value = "2"/>            
   <integer id="crof" value = "2"/>
   <integer id="croa" value = "1"/>
   <integer id="tmar" value = "1"/>

   <boolean id="free" value="false"/>
   <boolean id="houb" value="false"/>
 </record>

        <record>
   <string id="name" value="Full Back[COMMENT: tactical_templates; Position]"/>
   <integer id="ment" value = "10"/>
   <integer id="crea" value = "10"/>    
   <integer id="pass" value = "5"/>
   <integer id="clos" value = "13"/>
   <integer id="tack" value = "2"/>    
   <integer id="forw" value = "3"/>
   <integer id="ruwb" value = "2"/>
   <integer id="long" value = "1"/>       
   <integer id="trtb" value = "1"/>    
   <integer id="cros" value = "3"/>        
   <integer id="mark" value = "1"/>            
   <integer id="crof" value = "2"/>
   <integer id="croa" value = "1"/>
   <integer id="tmar" value = "1"/>

   <boolean id="free" value="false"/>
   <boolean id="houb" value="false"/>
 </record>

        <record>
   <string id="name" value="Wing Back"/>
   <integer id="ment" value = "12"/>
   <integer id="crea" value = "11"/>    
   <integer id="pass" value = "7"/>
   <integer id="clos" value = "11"/>
   <integer id="tack" value = "2"/>    
   <integer id="forw" value = "3"/>
   <integer id="ruwb" value = "3"/>
   <integer id="long" value = "1"/>       
   <integer id="trtb" value = "1"/>    
   <integer id="cros" value = "3"/>        
   <integer id="mark" value = "1"/>            
   <integer id="crof" value = "1"/>
   <integer id="croa" value = "1"/>
   <integer id="tmar" value = "1"/>

   <boolean id="free" value="false"/>
   <boolean id="houb" value="false"/>
 </record>

 <record>
   <string id="name" value="Defensive Midfielder[COMMENT: tactical_templates; Position]"/>
   <integer id="ment" value = "5"/>
   <integer id="crea" value = "8"/>    
   <integer id="pass" value = "10"/>
   <integer id="clos" value = "15"/>
   <integer id="tack" value = "2"/>    
   <integer id="forw" value = "2"/>
   <integer id="ruwb" value = "2"/>
   <integer id="long" value = "2"/>       
   <integer id="trtb" value = "2"/>    
   <integer id="cros" value = "1"/>        
   <integer id="mark" value = "1"/>            
   <integer id="crof" value = "2"/>
   <integer id="croa" value = "1"/>
   <integer id="tmar" value = "1"/>

   <boolean id="free" value="false"/>
   <boolean id="houb" value="false"/>
 </record>

        <record>
   <string id="name" value="Midfielder"/>
   <integer id="ment" value = "10"/>
   <integer id="crea" value = "10"/>    
   <integer id="pass" value = "8"/>
   <integer id="clos" value = "10"/>
   <integer id="tack" value = "2"/>    
   <integer id="forw" value = "2"/>
   <integer id="ruwb" value = "2"/>
   <integer id="long" value = "2"/>       
   <integer id="trtb" value = "2"/>    
   <integer id="cros" value = "1"/>        
   <integer id="mark" value = "1"/>            
   <integer id="crof" value = "1"/>
   <integer id="croa" value = "1"/>
   <integer id="tmar" value = "1"/>

   <boolean id="free" value="false"/>
   <boolean id="houb" value="false"/>
 </record>

 <record>
   <string id="name" value="Attacking Midfielder[COMMENT: tactical_templates; Position]"/>
   <integer id="ment" value = "15"/>
   <integer id="crea" value = "20"/>    
   <integer id="pass" value = "1"/>
   <integer id="clos" value = "0"/>
   <integer id="tack" value = "1"/>    
   <integer id="forw" value = "3"/>
   <integer id="ruwb" value = "3"/>
   <integer id="long" value = "2"/>       
   <integer id="trtb" value = "3"/>    
   <integer id="cros" value = "1"/>        
   <integer id="mark" value = "1"/>            
   <integer id="crof" value = "1"/>
   <integer id="croa" value = "1"/>
   <integer id="tmar" value = "1"/>

   <boolean id="free" value="true"/>
   <boolean id="houb" value="false"/>
 </record>

 <record>
   <string id="name" value="Winger[COMMENT: tactical_templates; Position]"/>
   <integer id="ment" value = "15"/>
   <integer id="crea" value = "12"/>    
   <integer id="pass" value = "10"/>
   <integer id="clos" value = "0"/>
   <integer id="tack" value = "1"/>    
   <integer id="forw" value = "3"/>
   <integer id="ruwb" value = "3"/>
   <integer id="long" value = "1"/>       
   <integer id="trtb" value = "1"/>    
   <integer id="cros" value = "3"/>        
   <integer id="mark" value = "1"/>            
   <integer id="crof" value = "3"/>
   <integer id="croa" value = "1"/>
   <integer id="tmar" value = "1"/>

   <boolean id="free" value="false"/>
   <boolean id="houb" value="false"/>
 </record>

 <record>
   <string id="name" value="Striker[COMMENT: tactical_templates; Position]"/>
   <integer id="ment" value = "15"/>
   <integer id="crea" value = "13"/>    
   <integer id="pass" value = "7"/>
   <integer id="clos" value = "0"/>
   <integer id="tack" value = "1"/>    
   <integer id="forw" value = "2"/>
   <integer id="ruwb" value = "2"/>
   <integer id="long" value = "1"/>       
   <integer id="trtb" value = "1"/>    
   <integer id="cros" value = "1"/>        
   <integer id="mark" value = "1"/>            
   <integer id="crof" value = "2"/>
   <integer id="croa" value = "1"/>
   <integer id="tmar" value = "1"/>

   <boolean id="free" value="false"/>
   <boolean id="houb" value="false"/>
 </record>

 <record>
   <string id="name" value="Target Man[COMMENT: tactical_templates; Position]"/>
   <integer id="ment" value = "15"/>
   <integer id="crea" value = "10"/>    
   <integer id="pass" value = "15"/>
   <integer id="clos" value = "0"/>
   <integer id="tack" value = "2"/>    
   <integer id="forw" value = "2"/>
   <integer id="ruwb" value = "1"/>
   <integer id="long" value = "2"/>       
   <integer id="trtb" value = "2"/>    
   <integer id="cros" value = "1"/>        
   <integer id="mark" value = "1"/>            
   <integer id="crof" value = "2"/>
   <integer id="croa" value = "1"/>
   <integer id="tmar" value = "1"/>

   <boolean id="free" value="false"/>
   <boolean id="houb" value="true"/>
 </record>



</list>
</properties>

So you copy the code structure and change the variables in accordance with the rules stated in the explanation in the file open in notepad. Then save the file. If you have FM open you need to go to Options > Preferences > Display & Sound, tick 'Always reload skin on confirm' then press confirm.

The new Set To instruction will appear in the drop down with the name you assigned in the line of code

<string id="name" value="[b][color=red]Instruction Name[/color][/b][COMMENT: tactical_templates; Position]"/>

Make sure you match the structure of the code with respect to tabbing. Best way to ensure you don't miss out on a variable is to cut and paste from the existing code (exception is to specifically set a keeper you need to cut/paste from the Goalkeeper section to reflect additional distribution settings).

thanks isuckatfm, what we would do without you!

there are 11 Set to instructions, if i want to add a couple more, all i need to do is to copy the existing one and change it to whatever i want to?

thanks isuckatfm, what we would do without you!

there are 11 Set to instructions, if i want to add a couple more, all i need to do is to copy the existing one and change it to whatever i want to?

Exactly. Back up the existing one somewhere just in case as it will save you having to reinstall the whole shebang.

If you want to upload it to a hosting site after you edit it, I'll take a look. But as long as you cut and paste, and maintain the structure re tabs it should be good to go.