Avoid these errors and your keeper will be happy
© EA Sports
Games

5 classic mistakes all FIFA players should avoid

If you want to succeed at FIFA, it’s time to eliminate these errors from your game.
Written by Fraser Gilbert
3 min readPublished on
FIFA isn’t an easy game to master, especially when venturing into the harsh terrain of online competition. Players are waiting to tear your defence apart with blistering speed and sublime trickery, but it is possible to avoid regular beatings if you cut out simple errors.
If you’re struggling to keep up with the pack, you’ve probably been making a number of classic FIFA mistakes. By knowing what to avoid, it won’t be long before your record starts to improve. Here's a list of five game-changing mistakes that separate the best from the worst: study it and you’ll be on your way to becoming a great player.

1. Being too predictable

Bursting down the wing every time you get the ball, or relying too heavily on star players such as Messi or Ronaldo will get you nowhere against a skilled FIFA player. You have to keep your opponent guessing: make sharp turns, pass when you’re expected to shoot, run when you’re expected to cross. Never become predictable.

2. Poor goalkeeper clearances

Passing from a goal kick or throwing the ball out of the keeper’s hands is incredibly risky in FIFA. Opposing teams will often close down at least one of your defenders before you’ve had a chance to release the ball, which can result in an embarrassing blunder.
My advice? Always hit the ball up the field (ideally to one of your players, of course), unless you’re absolutely sure that it won’t end in disaster.
Don't make unnecessary sliding tackles

Don't make unnecessary sliding tackles

© EA Sports

3. Overcommitting

It’s tempting to run at an opposing attacker when the ball is at their feet, but it’s often a fast-track to failure, as your poorly-timed lunge is easily avoided, opening a huge gap in your defence.
If the opposition are closing in on your goal, you need to analyse the situation and hold back until it’s the right time to commit to the challenge. Sometimes, a simple shoulder barge is all that’s required.

4. Lack of composure

Many FIFA players struggle to remain calm after falling behind in a game, playing silly passes, sliding into tackles and shooting from ridiculous angles. Holding onto a slender lead can also create pressure, forcing you to make silly mistakes. Calm down, find your focus, and you’ll be best placed to produce a win. And no, rage-quitting isn’t an alternative solution.

5. Excessive use of the sprint button

In order to succeed, you need to vary your build-up play. You’ll be setting yourself up for failure if you place too much emphasis on pace, so lay off the sprint button.
Try playing a match against the CPU on a moderate difficulty, forcing yourself to attack without ever using the sprint button. You’ll learn how to pass and use space to your advantage, and once you’ve become efficient in this area, you’ll have a far better understanding of when to sprint.