Dribble before you score…

Dribble

Dribble Move	Description	When Best to Use	Buttons (PS4)
Agile Dribbling	Quick, close-control touches to maneuver in tight spaces	In the box, tight areas, vs defenders with low agility	Hold R1 + Left Stick
Strafe Dribbling	Controlled lateral movement while facing the goal	When baiting defenders or opening space for a pass/shot	Hold L1 + Left Stick
Explosive Sprint	Burst of speed with more explosive acceleration	Breaking away from defenders or transitioning on the counter	Hold R2 (with direction)
Skill Move (e.g., Ball Roll)	Basic skill moves depending on player's skill rating	1v1 situations to beat defenders or change angles	Hold Right Stick Left/Right
Feint (Stepovers)	Player performs stepovers to confuse the defender	To shift defender balance or create space	Right Stick Circle Movements
Drag Back	Pulls ball back and turns	To switch directions quickly or escape pressure	Hold R1 + Left Stick Down
Bridge Dribble	Pushes ball past defender with two quick touches	To beat slower defenders in 1v1s	Double Tap R1
Lateral Heel to Heel	Fast lateral skill to beat defender to the side	Effective near the wings or edge of box	Right Stick Left then Right (5* skills)
Ball Juggle (Standing)	Juggles the ball in place	To show off or start fancy plays	Hold L2 + Tap R1 repeatedly
First Touch Knock-On	Pushes ball ahead on first touch	When receiving a pass in open space	Hold R2 while controlling ball
Fake Shot Stop	Fakes a shot and stops the ball	To bait tackles or switch direction suddenly	Tap Circle or Square then X + Left Stick (No direction)
Directional Nutmeg	Directs ball through defender’s legs	In tight spaces or surprise move in the box	Hold L1 + R1 + Flick Right Stick
No Touch Dribbling	Dummy runs by letting ball roll past	To fake movement or reset direction	Hold L1 + No input
Controlled Sprint Dribble	Slower, more deliberate sprint to keep control	When dribbling near sideline or near defenders	Hold R2 + feather Left Stick
Skill Cancel	Cancels any ongoing skill move	When defender predicts your move	Hold L2 + R2 during any skill

Passing:

Pass Type	Description	When Best to Use	Buttons (PS4)
Short Pass / Header	A quick, short ground pass or header	Basic passing between close teammates	Press X
Lob Pass / Cross / Header	A high, floated pass through the air	Long passes, crossing into box	Press Square
Through Ball	Sends ball into space for teammate to run onto	Best for through runs past defenders	Press Triangle
Lobbed Through Ball	High-arcing through ball over defenders	When ground through balls are blocked	Press L1 + Triangle
Driven Ground Pass	Powerful, direct ground pass	Fast counters, tight passing lanes	Press R1 + X
Driven Lob Pass	Hard, low cross or lob	Fast crosses or long-range switches	Press R1 + Square
Low Cross	A fast, low ball across the goal	In box crosses for tap-ins	Press Square twice (double tap)
Ground Cross	Roll ball across goal area	Very close to goal or cut-backs	Press Square three times (triple tap)
Whipped Cross	Curved, powerful cross into the box	Crossing for headers or volleys	Hold R1 + Press Square
Flick Pass	A delicate, quick flicked pass	Quick pass in high pressure zones	Flick Right Stick toward teammate
Manual Pass	Fully directional manual pass	For complete control over direction and power	Hold L1 + R1 + Press X
Backheel Pass	Stylish backheel to teammate (contextual)	In tight spaces when back to goal	Tap X when facing away from teammate
Dummy Pass	Fakes a pass to mislead opponent	To fake a pass and create space	Press R2 while pressing Pass button
Cancel Pass	Cancels a pass during wind-up	If a defender predicts your pass before execution	Press L2 + R2 while passing
One-Two Pass	Quick pass with immediate sprint forward	For give-and-go plays	Press X then Hold L1
One-Two Through Ball	Quick through ball with immediate sprint forward	Aggressive counterattacks	Press Triangle then Hold L1
Long Throw (from sidelines)	Powerful throw-in over longer distance	Throw-ins past nearby defenders	Hold R1 during throw-in, then aim and press X
Quick Free Kick / Throw-in	Immediate restart to catch opponent off guard	Fast breaks off free kicks or throw-ins	Press R1 quickly after foul or out

Defending

Defending Move	Description	When Best to Use	Buttons (PS4)
Contain	Jockeys opponent by staying close automatically	Basic 1v1 defending to delay attacker	Hold X
Teammate Contain	Second defender pressures opponent	Double up on attackers or force bad passes	Hold R1
Jockey	Manual controlled lateral movement to track dribbler	Fine control defending, one-on-one duels	Hold L2
Sprint Jockey	Jockey with speed to catch quicker players	When needing to track fast attackers	Hold L2 + R2
Standing Tackle	Attempt to win ball with foot	When close to opponent, best in low-risk zones	Press Circle
Sliding Tackle	Sliding leg challenge to dispossess opponent	Emergency situations, blocks, or desperate defending	Press Square
Pull and Hold (Tug Shirt)	Pull opponent's shirt to slow them down	When recovering position (beware fouls)	Hold Circle behind opponent
Clearance	Clears ball far upfield	When under pressure inside penalty area	Press Circle (tap quickly or hold longer for power)
Shoulder Challenge	Use shoulder to push opponent off the ball	When side-by-side with ball carrier	Press O near opponent
Interception (Auto/Manual)	Anticipate and intercept passes	Positioning to cut off passing lanes	Move into passing lane + L2 for better positioning
Auto Block	Player automatically blocks shot/passes	Happens if positioned correctly	No buttons (positioning based)
Second Defender Switch	Switch directly to second pressuring defender	To control the press more intelligently	Press R1 while defending
Call Second Defender (Press)	Calls a second defender to help press attacker	To force attacker into bad decisions	Hold R1
GK Rush	Bring goalkeeper out to challenge	1v1 situations vs attackers running through	Hold Triangle
Tactical Foul	Smart foul to break counterattacks (high risk)	When heavily outnumbered in transition	Use Circle or Square with intent
Player Switch (Auto/Manual)	Change controlled player manually or assisted	To get closest defender onto ball	Press L1 or flick Right Stick
Partial Team Press	Team applies partial pressure on opponents	Good for trapping opponents in their half	Press R1 twice quickly (Double Tap)
Offside Trap	Push defensive line up quickly to catch attackers offside	Risky but effective against players abusing through balls	Double Tap Down on D-Pad + Up
Tight Marking (D-Pad Tactic)	Assign player to stick tightly to opponent	Shutting down dangerous players like fast wingers	Press Down then Right on D-Pad