FIFA Newbie Guide: Dominate the Game From Day One
So, you’ve just booted up FIFA for the first time, or maybe you’re a returning player feeling a bit lost with the latest iteration. Don’t worry! This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get started and start winning. We’ll cover everything from basic controls and game modes to team building and advanced tactics.
## 1. Getting Familiar with the Basics
Before you jump into online matches and start dreaming of Ultimate Team glory, it’s crucial to understand the fundamental controls and gameplay mechanics.
### 1.1 Basic Controls:
FIFA’s controls can seem daunting at first, but mastering them is key to success. Spend some time in the practice arena or a kickoff match to get comfortable with these basics. Remember to check your in-game settings for controller configurations as these might differ based on your platform (PlayStation, Xbox, PC).
* **Movement:** Use the left analog stick to control your player’s movement. The direction you push the stick determines the direction the player moves.
* **Passing (Short Pass):** Press the ‘X’ button (PlayStation) or ‘A’ button (Xbox) for a short, ground pass to a nearby teammate. The longer you hold the button, the harder the pass, and the further the ball will travel. Use the left analog stick to aim the pass.
* **Through Pass:** Press the Triangle button (PlayStation) or Y button (Xbox) to play a through ball, sending the ball into space for a teammate to run onto. This is effective for breaking down defenses, but accuracy is crucial.
* **Long Pass/Cross:** Press the Square button (PlayStation) or X button (Xbox) for a long pass or cross. The context determines which type of pass is executed. If you’re near the opponent’s goal, it will be a cross; otherwise, it’s a long pass. Holding the button longer increases the distance and height of the pass. The direction of the pass is determined by the left analog stick.
* **Shooting:** Press the Circle button (PlayStation) or B button (Xbox) to shoot. Power is determined by how long you hold the button, and direction is controlled by the left analog stick. Aim for the corners of the goal for a higher chance of scoring. Experiment with different shot types by pressing other buttons simultaneously (e.g., R1/RB for a finesse shot).
* **Dribbling:** Use the left analog stick for basic dribbling. For more advanced dribbling, use the right analog stick to perform skill moves. Practice these in the skill games mode.
* **Sprinting:** Hold down the R2 button (PlayStation) or RT button (Xbox) to sprint. Be careful, as sprinting too much can reduce your player’s stamina and make them less agile.
* **Tackling (Standing Tackle):** Press the ‘O’ button (PlayStation) or ‘B’ button (Xbox) to perform a standing tackle. Time your tackles carefully to avoid fouls. Try not to spam this button. A well-timed tackle is far better than multiple poorly timed ones.
* **Sliding Tackle:** Press the Square button (PlayStation) or X button (Xbox) to perform a sliding tackle. This is a riskier tackle that can result in a foul or card if mistimed. Use it sparingly and only when necessary.
* **Contain:** Hold the L2 button (PlayStation) or LT button (Xbox) to contain the opponent. This allows you to stay close to the attacker and jockey for position.
* **Teammate Contain (Press):** Press the R1 button (PlayStation) or RB button (Xbox) to trigger a teammate to press the opponent with the ball. This is useful for applying pressure, but be careful not to leave your defense exposed.
* **Clearance:** Press the Circle button (PlayStation) or B button (Xbox) when defending inside your penalty area to clear the ball. This is a quick way to get the ball out of danger.
* **Goalkeeper Controls:** When controlling the goalkeeper, use the left analog stick to move and the X button (PlayStation) or A button (Xbox) to rush out. The Triangle button (PlayStation) or Y button (Xbox) will command the keeper to come for a cross, which can be risky but effective in certain situations.
### 1.2 Defensive Tactics:
Defense wins championships, and the same holds true in FIFA. Here’s how to be a solid defender:
* **Patience is Key:** Don’t rush into tackles. Observe the opponent’s movements and anticipate their passes. Jockeying (L2/LT) is your best friend for staying close and waiting for the right moment.
* **Use Teammate Contain Wisely:** Calling a teammate to press can be effective, but be mindful of the gaps you create in your defense. It’s best used when you have support nearby.
* **Track Back:** Manually control your midfielders and track back to support your defense. This will help you to outnumber the opponent in key areas.
* **Master the Second Defender:** Use the R1/RB button to bring a second defender to pressure the ball carrier, creating a double team. Be careful not to pull defenders out of position excessively.
* **Clear Your Lines:** When in doubt, clear the ball out of your penalty area. Don’t try to be too fancy when under pressure.
* **Learn to Switch Players Quickly:** Switching players effectively is vital for tracking runs and intercepting passes. Use the right analog stick to quickly switch to the player closest to the ball or the player you need to control to intercept a pass.
### 1.3 Attacking Strategies:
Scoring goals is the name of the game! Here are some attacking strategies to get you started:
* **Patience and Passing:** Don’t force the play. Build up patiently with short passes, looking for openings in the defense. Passing the ball around increases the chance of the opponent making a mistake.
* **Utilize Through Balls:** Through balls are great for exploiting space behind the defense. Time your through balls carefully and aim for your fastest players.
* **Cross Effectively:** When crossing, consider the type of cross you’re using. A driven cross (double tap Square/X) is fast and low, while a standard cross is higher and more lofted. Adjust your crosses based on the position of your players in the box.
* **Finesse Shots:** Finesse shots (R1 + Circle/RB + B) are accurate and can be effective from outside the box. Curl the ball around the goalkeeper’s reach and into the side netting.
* **Cut Inside:** Cut inside with your wingers and forwards to create shooting opportunities. This is especially effective with players who have high dribbling and finishing stats.
* **Use Skill Moves Sparingly:** Skill moves can be effective for beating defenders, but don’t overdo them. Use them strategically to create space and opportunities.
* **Don’t forget the Basics:** Simple passes and moving into space is often more effective than trying a flashy skill move. Passing creates openings and forces defenders to make mistakes.
## 2. Exploring Game Modes
FIFA offers a variety of game modes to suit different play styles and preferences. Here’s a rundown of the most popular modes:
### 2.1 Kick-Off:
Kick-Off is the simplest way to play a quick match against the AI or a friend. You can choose from a wide selection of teams, adjust the game settings (difficulty, match length, etc.), and jump straight into the action. This is a great way to practice your skills and experiment with different teams and tactics.
### 2.2 Career Mode:
Career Mode allows you to take control of a team (as a manager or a player) and guide them through multiple seasons. You’ll manage transfers, scout players, develop youth talent, and compete in various competitions. It is broken down into two parts:
* **Manager Career:** You take on the role of the manager of a club. You control transfers, team selection, training, and tactics. You will be set objectives by the board and will need to meet these to maintain your job security. Your ultimate aim is to build a successful team and win trophies. There are many layers to the game mode, including press conferences, player morale, and youth academy management.
* **Player Career:** You can either create your own player, or use an existing professional. If you choose to create your own player you begin in the youth academy before trying to break into the first team. Train hard and perform well to improve your rating and ensure you get game time. In this mode you have more direct control over your individual player, but less control over the team as a whole.
Career mode is great for those who want a deeper, more immersive FIFA experience.
### 2.3 Ultimate Team (FUT):
Ultimate Team is FIFA’s most popular game mode. In FUT, you build your dream team by collecting player cards. You can acquire these cards through packs (which you can buy with in-game currency or real money) or by buying players on the Transfer Market. This is where you will likely spend most of your time after learning the basics. It can be complex at first, so here’s a breakdown of how to get started:
* **Starting Your Team:** When you first start FUT, you’ll be given a starter pack of players. These players will be mostly low-rated, but they’ll be enough to get you started. You’ll also receive some loan players. Use these to their full potential to secure some early wins.
* **Playing Matches:** Play matches in Squad Battles (against AI teams), Rivals (online against other players), or FUT Champions (competitive weekend league) to earn coins and rewards. Coins can be used to buy better players on the Transfer Market, while rewards can include player packs and other valuable items.
* **Understanding Chemistry:** Chemistry is a key factor in FUT. It affects how well your players perform together on the pitch. To maximize chemistry, try to link players from the same league, nation, or club. Consider the manager too, as they provide chemistry boosts based on their nationality and league.
* **Squad Building Challenges (SBCs):** SBCs are challenges that require you to submit specific squads of players in exchange for rewards. These can be a great way to acquire valuable players and packs.
* **The Transfer Market:** The transfer market is where players buy and sell players. Understanding the transfer market is key to building your dream squad. Learn when to buy and sell players for maximum profit.
* **Division Rivals:** Play online against opponents of a similar skill level to you in Division Rivals. Earn rewards each week based on your performance, and climb the divisions to face tougher opponents and earn even better rewards.
* **FUT Champions:** For the most competitive FIFA players, FUT Champions is the ultimate test. Qualify through Division Rivals and compete in a weekend league to earn top rewards and bragging rights.
### 2.4 VOLTA Football:
VOLTA Football is a street football mode that offers a more casual and creative FIFA experience. You can create your own avatar, customize their appearance, and compete in various street football matches and tournaments. This mode allows you to play with smaller teams in a variety of different environments, such as street courts and indoor arenas. It offers a welcome break from the traditional 11v11 gameplay.
### 2.5 Pro Clubs:
In Pro Clubs, you create your own virtual pro player and join a club with your friends. You’ll then compete against other clubs online in 11v11 matches. You can customize your pro’s appearance, attributes, and play style. Pro Clubs emphasizes teamwork and coordination, making it a great mode for playing with friends.
## 3. Building Your Ultimate Team
Building a successful Ultimate Team takes time, patience, and a bit of strategy. Here are some tips to help you get started:
### 3.1 Choose Your League/Nation:
When starting out, it’s often a good idea to focus on building a team from a specific league or nation. This makes it easier to establish chemistry between your players. Popular choices include the English Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1. Choose a league that you enjoy watching and that has a good selection of affordable players.
### 3.2 Identify Affordable Players:
In the early stages of FUT, you won’t have a lot of coins to spend. Focus on identifying affordable players who can contribute to your team. Look for players with good pace, passing, and shooting stats for their position. Websites like FUTBIN can be helpful for finding player prices and stats.
### 3.3 Focus on Key Positions:
Certain positions are more important than others in FIFA. Prioritize upgrading your central midfielders, strikers, and defenders. These players will have the biggest impact on your team’s performance.
### 3.4 Consider Player Chemistry:
As mentioned earlier, chemistry is crucial in FUT. Pay attention to the chemistry links between your players when building your squad. Try to link players from the same league, nation, or club to maximize chemistry. A player with low chemistry will not perform to their full potential.
### 3.5 Take Advantage of SBCs:
Squad Building Challenges (SBCs) can be a great way to acquire valuable players and packs. Complete the SBCs that offer the best rewards for your budget.
### 3.6 Trade Wisely:
Learn the ins and outs of the Transfer Market. Buy players when they are cheap (e.g., during pack openings) and sell them when their prices are high (e.g., before weekend league). Trading can be a lucrative way to earn coins in FUT.
### 3.7 Utilize Loan Players:
Loan players can be a great asset in the early stages of FUT. Use them in important matches to help you earn rewards and climb the divisions.
### 3.8 Don’t Neglect Your Bench:
A strong bench is essential for managing fatigue and injuries during matches. Make sure you have quality substitutes in key positions.
## 4. Mastering Advanced Tactics
Once you’re comfortable with the basics, you can start experimenting with more advanced tactics to gain an edge over your opponents.
### 4.1 Custom Tactics:
FIFA allows you to customize your team’s tactics to suit your play style. You can adjust various settings, such as:
* **Defensive Style:** Choose from Balanced, Press After Possession Loss, Press After Heavy Touch, Constant Pressure, and Drop Back. Experiment with these different styles to see which one works best for you.
* **Width:** Adjust the width of your defense to control how much space you allow in wide areas.
* **Depth:** Adjust the depth of your defense to control how high or low your defensive line plays.
* **Build-Up Play:** Choose from Balanced, Slow Build-Up, Long Ball, and Fast Build-Up. These settings affect how your team transitions from defense to attack.
* **Chance Creation:** Choose from Balanced, Possession, Direct Passing, and Forward Runs. These settings affect how your team creates attacking opportunities.
* **Width (Attacking):** Adjust the width of your attack to control how much space you use in wide areas.
* **Players in Box:** Adjust the number of players your team sends into the box during crosses.
* **Corners & Free Kicks:** Adjust the number of players your team sends into the box during corners and free kicks.
### 4.2 Player Instructions:
Player Instructions allow you to customize the behavior of individual players on your team. You can adjust settings such as:
* **Attacking Support:** Choose from Stay Back While Attacking, Balanced, and Get Forward.
* **Interceptions:** Choose from Conservative Interceptions, Normal Interceptions, and Aggressive Interceptions.
* **Defensive Position:** Choose from Cover Center, Cover Wing, and Stay Wide.
* **Positioning Freedom:** Choose from Stick to Position and Free Roam.
* **Support on Crosses:** Choose from Stay on Edge of Box for Cross, Balanced Crossing Runs, and Get Into Box for Cross.
* **Interception Behavior:** Choose from Normal Interceptions, Aggressive Interceptions, and Conservative Interceptions.
Experiment with different player instructions to see how they affect your team’s performance. For example, you might want to instruct your defensive midfielders to stay back while attacking to provide more defensive cover.
### 4.3 Formations:
The formation you choose can have a big impact on your team’s performance. Some popular formations include 4-4-2, 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, and 3-5-2. Experiment with different formations to see which one suits your play style and your players’ attributes.
* **4-4-2:** A balanced formation that provides good defensive cover and attacking options.
* **4-3-3:** An attacking formation that relies on wing play and quick passing.
* **4-2-3-1:** A versatile formation that can be used for both attacking and defending.
* **3-5-2:** An attacking formation that relies on wing-backs and a strong midfield.
### 4.4 In-Game Adjustments:
Be prepared to make in-game adjustments to your tactics and formation based on how the match is unfolding. If you’re struggling to break down the opponent’s defense, try switching to a more attacking formation or adjusting your player instructions. If you’re defending a lead, try switching to a more defensive formation and instructing your full-backs to stay back while attacking.
### 4.5 Set Pieces:
Set pieces (corners, free kicks, and penalties) can be a valuable source of goals in FIFA. Practice your set piece routines to improve your chances of scoring.
* **Corners:** Experiment with different corner routines to find what works best for you. You can use the driven corner technique (double tap Square/X) to deliver a low, fast cross into the box.
* **Free Kicks:** Practice your free kicks from different angles and distances. Learn how to curve the ball around the wall and into the net.
* **Penalties:** Practice your penalties to improve your accuracy and composure. Aim for the corners of the goal and vary your shot power.
## 5. Improving Your Skills
Becoming a better FIFA player takes time and practice. Here are some tips to help you improve your skills:
### 5.1 Practice Regularly:
The more you play FIFA, the better you’ll become. Dedicate some time each day or week to practice your skills and learn new techniques.
### 5.2 Watch Tutorials:
There are many helpful FIFA tutorials available online. Watch these tutorials to learn new tips and tricks from experienced players.
### 5.3 Analyze Your Gameplay:
Watch replays of your matches to identify areas where you can improve. Pay attention to your passing accuracy, tackling success rate, and decision-making.
### 5.4 Play Against Better Players:
The best way to improve is to play against better players. Challenge yourself by playing against opponents who are more skilled than you.
### 5.5 Stay Updated:
FIFA is constantly evolving. Stay updated on the latest gameplay changes, tactics, and player ratings to stay ahead of the curve.
### 5.6 Be Patient:
Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately. Improving your FIFA skills takes time and patience. Keep practicing and learning, and you’ll eventually see progress.
## Conclusion
Starting your FIFA journey can seem like a steep learning curve, but with patience, practice, and the right knowledge, you can quickly become a competitive player. Remember to master the basics, explore the different game modes, build a strong Ultimate Team, and experiment with advanced tactics. Most importantly, have fun and enjoy the game! Good luck, and may your packs be filled with high-rated players!