First time Fifa player - really stuck on how to play the game - please help

[Spudgun]

Dear all,

I thought I would ask this outside the main fifa 12 thread, as this is at a considerable tangent.

The last time I played a fifa game the game was displayed from an isometric perspective circa 1994, so it has been a while.

I fancied a bit of football, so I picked up fifa 12 on the 360 whilst grocery shopping the other day. However, I am now at a complete loss as to how to succeed at the game against the CPU (i've not ventured online yet).

All I seem to be able to do is to pass the ball to feet amongst my back 4 and the midfield and when I have possession none of the computer controlled players will get into space or look to make a run off the shoulder of the last defender so I can play a through ball or a ball over the top.

As such I end up losing games 1-0 or 2-0 having had loads of possession but everything breaks down when I get into the final third of the pitch and I am only averaging 1 or 2 shots on goal per game.

Therefore, has anyone got any suggestions for where a complete newbie should start in order to get up to speed with the game as the built in tutorial only seems to cover 7 defensive situations and doesn't have anything for when you have the ball.

Many thanks

Spudgun

 

[JoeFX]

Dear all,

I thought I would ask this outside the main fifa 12 thread, as this is at a considerable tangent.

The last time I played a fifa game the game was displayed from an isometric perspective circa 1994, so it has been a while.

I fancied a bit of football, so I picked up fifa 12 on the 360 whilst grocery shopping the other day. However, I am now at a complete loss as to how to succeed at the game against the CPU (i've not ventured online yet).

All I seem to be able to do is to pass the ball to feet amongst my back 4 and the midfield and when I have possession none of the computer controlled players will get into space or look to make a run off the shoulder of the last defender so I can play a through ball or a ball over the top.

As such I end up losing games 1-0 or 2-0 having had loads of possession but everything breaks down when I get into the final third of the pitch and I am only averaging 1 or 2 shots on goal per game.

Therefore, has anyone got any suggestions for where a complete newbie should start in order to get up to speed with the game as the built in tutorial only seems to cover 7 defensive situations and doesn't have anything for when you have the ball.

Many thanks

Spudgun

What difficulty setting are you using? Don't put it too high, because a lot of people are finding it difficult with the new defending system... even those who were very good at the last version.

Have you tried doing a Training/Practice match? You can change the number of players on the opposing team, so you can play 11 on 5 or something, just to make it a bit easier to pass the ball about and get a feel for the game. I'm at work and can't remember off-hand how you start a practice match, but I think (on PS3) that you hit the Select button while you are in the Arena, then it'll give you some practice/traning options.

 

[Spudgun]

Thanks for the reply - I went for the second difficulty level - the one that says 'for people who occasionally play football games (sorry, can't check its name as I'm at work too!)

 

[JoeFX]

Thanks for the reply - I went for the second difficulty level - the one that says 'for people who occasionally play football games (sorry, can't check its name as I'm at work too!)

That might be 'Professional' difficulty, try it on 'Semi-Pro' instead... you can change it in the Game Settings somewhere.

I played the last version on Legendary, and I've had to drop to Professional for this one so far... just because it takes a while to get used to the new defending system.

 

[Spudgun]

Just from having a quick look online, I think I am on semi-pro already. However, I seem to have inherited players from the local sunday pub league as they seem to be happy to stand around doing nothing rather than making a run or moving more than a few centimetres from a defender

 

[DaveOwl]

Don't want to hijack the thread but I am in a similar-ish position and posted on the long FIFA 12 thread...

When I pass to another player they just stand there until the ball arrives. Is there a way to get them to wake up and either move to where I've passed it or run towards it? The defenders on the other team don't seem to have the problem

I also wonder about curling crosses and shots - do you simply move the left stick just after you release the long pass or shoot buttons? I can't get curl or aim right when in the TV camera view either.

 

[Spudgun]

Don't want to hijack the thread but I am in a similar-ish position and posted on the long FIFA 12 thread...

When I pass to another player they just stand there until the ball arrives. Is there a way to get them to wake up and either move to where I've passed it or run towards it? The defenders on the other team don't seem to have the problem

I also wonder about curling crosses and shots - do you simply move the left stick just after you release the long pass or shoot buttons? I can't get curl or aim right when in the TV camera view either.

No problem at all with people adding their issues to the thread - looks like Fifa has a pretty steep learning curve.

I share your frustration about the players just standing still and waiting to receive the ball whilst the computer just nips in an intercepts it.

Hopefully some people who have mastered the game can drop in on the thread and share the secrets of their success

 

[Vonhelmet]

I tried playing it a while back, but was put off by the manual having about 97 pages of controls.

 

[GTO656]

First thing is to start with amature, and keep playing and learning, Defending is a lot harder this year so you just need to get use to it.

 

[Baplad]

Just from having a quick look online, I think I am on semi-pro already. However, I seem to have inherited players from the local sunday pub league as they seem to be happy to stand around doing nothing rather than making a run or moving more than a few centimetres from a defender

Don't want to hijack the thread but I am in a similar-ish position and posted on the long FIFA 12 thread...

When I pass to another player they just stand there until the ball arrives. Is there a way to get them to wake up and either move to where I've passed it or run towards it? The defenders on the other team don't seem to have the problem

I also wonder about curling crosses and shots - do you simply move the left stick just after you release the long pass or shoot buttons? I can't get curl or aim right when in the TV camera view either.

Plenty of practice helps, if you are both struggling on semi-pro drop the difficulty down to amature until you get the hang of passing, crossing and of course the new defending system.


As for your problems with players not moving/making runs you can do this easily,

For example: winger has the ball in midfield and you want him to make a run up the wing when he has possession of the ball hold L1 (ps3) or LB (360) and then pass to your FB or CM.

When the pass is on its way the winger will start making a forward run.

You can use this to force players to make a run but obviously they have to be in possession of the ball to make the L1/LB pass and then make a run.

Players to make forward runs on their own but sometimes they do just like to stand around and twiddle their toes.


There are plenty of people who make tutorials on youtube that can help you's out.

Here's one to help you out with your crossing.

 

[The Running Man]

Baplad how do you get other defenders to pressure the ball? Often important failing to make a tackle and i have a defender who could easily cut off the angle or do something but i see them snoozing instead.

 

[Baplad]

Baplad how do you get other defenders to pressure the ball? Often important failing to make a tackle and i have a defender who could easily cut off the angle or do something but i see them snoozing instead.

I believe the new contain button for team contain is R1/RB, can't remember now as I have change mine in the button config.

If you are in control or the defender its still X (ps3) / A (360) to contain and you then have to time the challenge by then pressing O (ps3) / B (360)

You can also just run at them and then hit O/B to tackle instead of containing and then tackling.


Heres the tactical defending tutorial that loads up when you first started fifa.

 

[Jimbeam3678]

What setting have you guys got on crossing assisted,semi assisted or manual ?

 

["andy"]

well from watching that video it appears I've been using manual and its why I've hoofed 50 percent of my crosses into the crowd. woooops

 

[roboffer]

Don't want to hijack the thread but I am in a similar-ish position and posted on the long FIFA 12 thread...

When I pass to another player they just stand there until the ball arrives. Is there a way to get them to wake up and either move to where I've passed it or run towards it? The defenders on the other team don't seem to have the problem

I also wonder about curling crosses and shots - do you simply move the left stick just after you release the long pass or shoot buttons? I can't get curl or aim right when in the TV camera view either.

After you pass the ball release the left stick then push it in the direction you want the receiver to move. You can then use the right stick to control the direction of the receivers first touch.