FIFA 2010 World Cup Tips!

With World Cup action in full swing, 2010 FIFA World Cup : South Africa has been one of the hottest sports titles. The game is incredibly well done and really captures the World Cup Fever (No Vuvuzelas)

Here are some tips for players who are new to the pitch!

1. Select a team to fit your style- Spain?

YUP

The most balanced team is Spain. If you are starting out and your not very good, they give you the best overall chance to win.

Other teams have certain strengths and I would rank overall teams in this order. After top 4, order is popularity wise who you will see.

1. Spain

2. Brazil

3. England- Great wing attackers with speed, Wayne Rooney in the middle, Crouch for headers

4. Argentina- Lionel Messi, DANGEROUS

5. Italy

6. Germany

7. France

8. Portugal – Deco and C. Ronaldo

9. Ivory Coast (Drogba!)

10.  Holland

25ish. USA! Now, I LOVE USA, but you can feel a huge difference when you switch from Spain, you struggle to pass, make runs and win 50-50 balls. If you use them for a few games, you get used to the slower speed and then when you go back to Spain it feels like your driving a Ferrari! (Atleast USA doesn’t flop around and virtual refs cant screw us)

2. Create a formation that works to your gameplan-

Formations are how your team lines up in position. This would be similar to Madden, coming out in a dime or in a 4-6 (how they line up)

EX. 4-1-2-1-2

The first number is defenders (4)

Next level above defenders (1) Almost a defensive midfielder

Midfield (2)

Offensive midfield (1)

Strikers (All out offensive players (2)

There are a ton of formations and you can create your own. You can adjust them to what team your using and what players you have OR you can adjust them to what your opponent is doing.

If your opponent is attacking you up the middle of the field, maybe you want to bring back another defensive midfielder from striker and protect that area. If he is attacking you on the wings, you can position the midfielders wide to prevent the outside runs and crosses.

Madden Bible NEVER likes to REACT to their opponent, WE like to dictate the action and FORCE our opponent to respond to us. However, if he is exploiting a certain part of the field, you must respond!

No “stock” formation has a true sweeper position so we have created a formation with 5 defenders which stops long passes to the center of the field. We will often switch to this formation to protect a lead late in the game!

Dont be afraid to change mid game, always be tinkering and messing around.

3. Pressure -

Use B (Hold) to send a second defender after the opponent. Often times it feels as if your playing against 2 users, but this is how the best players work it. If you hold A, the user you are controlling will take on the ball/opponent.

I find that sitting back with a User defender, much like roaming with the Free Safety in Madden and trying to predict where the next pass will go is the most effective way. You can still pressure the ball by using B to send a non user defender and then follow the pass with your own guy.

Make sure you turn down the auto change player to only 1 notch and use LB to change quickly on your own!

4. Figure out all the buttons-

Turbo (RT)- there is a large chance you are overusing this button. I know how great it feels to run fast and chase down an opponent, but you only have so much! When you come barreling down the wing and get dangerously close to the sideline, lay off the turbo, you want to use it in short bursts rather than pressing it the whole game. When you do finally crank it up, it will have a much greater effect!

Through Ball (Y) This looks like passing, but it will cause your player to run onto the ball. You can use this to sneak balls around defenders and keep your offensive flow going. It can be a little tricky at first, but you will want this in your arsenal!

Spin (RB) Use this to put “english” or curve onto your shots and crosses. You can wrap angled shot in off the posts!

5. User Plays - Naturally, users are soo much smarter than the computer. We can see patterns forming and use our mind to feel where the next pass is going. The computer however cant see the “3rd” pass coming down the line. Why don’t you use the computer to go after the ball and then roam back with the smartest player on the field? This will keep the opponent honest and you can protect the most dangerous part of the field! You will continually get better, much like using the FS in Madden. Yes, you will get tricked and beat a few times, but you will slowly learn, pick up on tendencies and hopefully make a big play when it counts!

6. Out of Bounds -

On throw in’s quickly skip through the cut-scene and look to get the ball in play before the defender can get close. Don’t be afraid to look right back to the thrower as he will have stepped in play. If the defender marks, turn your thrower and see if he moves his user defender, then simply turn and throw in.

On Goal Kicks, you want to get the ball out of your area about 90% of the time. The problem with kicking it short is that it can often lead to an intercepted pass and quick goal for the other team. Just by booting the ball downfield, you can prevent quick scoring opportunities and force your opponent to work the ball all the way downfield again.

7. Play the best!

What are opponents doing? Look at their set up before the game!

Where do they want to get the ball on the field, are they pressuring or sitting back? What style gives you the most trouble to play against?

It can hurt to take a beating or get faked out of your shoes, but this WILL make you better in the long run. Fifa matchup system does a good job of matching up level players, but if your taking a beating look to try new things and don’t quit.

If you find yourself on the Winning side of a blowout, try new moves and ways to score. Your gonna need multiple attack angles vs good opponents who make adjustments.

8.Patience, Possess– Relax, soccer is a bit of a slow game especially if your coming over from Madden or NHL. If you have the ball, you can hang on and pass it around. You don’t always have to be moving forward, look to the ball into space and think 2 passes ahead. When your controlling the ball, the other team can’t score, use this to your advantage and control the pace of the game. Breathe!

Look to “flip” the field by using X to cross the ball across. This will move the action which can get bunched up on one side of the field!

9. Giveth and Receverith

The “give and go” is a great way to keep your offense moving. Simply hold LB when you pass the ball. The player will make a run with his hand out and you have the option to pass it back to him with your new player who is controlling the ball.

This helps clear out space and can allow you to press Y to use the through ball, try hitting a pass down the wing and looking for the cross.

10. Get in the lab!

Fifa and NHL are different games then Madden because the action is constantly flowing. However, you should know how to shoot with curve (RB) and how to pop one over a charging goalie (hold LB and press B (shoot))

Players online constantly run the goalie out at you on breakaways by holding Y! You need to be ready to pop it over rather than trying to shoot past them normally as they have cut down the angle. Other good things to lab involve set kicks, corners and 1 on 1 moves.

By holding the LT you bring the ball in tight to your player and can use the right stick to make moves. If you can develop 1 or 2 moves to win some 50-50 situations, you should really see the game open up for you.

Keep practicing and hopefully these tips will help your game get better!

Do you have any tips you would add for FIFA 2010 beginners? Leave them in the comments!

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1. SGibs Pass Balanced Tips – Play 2
2. Madden 11 Tips – Game Length
3. Madden 11 Tips – Game Length!
4. Sgibs Dime Defense!