FC 25 offers thrilling gameplay mechanics that reward skill, strategy, and precision. Whether you're a casual player or an aspiring pro, refining your techniques can make all the difference between a mediocre performance and a dominating victory. In this guide, Tom Leese breaks down five essential pro tips that can help you win more games and outplay your opponents.
Tip 1: Speed Boost
The speed boost is crucial for outmaneuvering defenders in one-on-one situations. It's most effective with players who possess the Quick Step or Rapid play style—ideally, those with both.
How to Perform It
1. Hold L1 while dribbling in the direction you're facing.
2. To activate the speed boost, hold R2 to sprint and release L1 as you move the left stick in the desired direction.
Bonus Tip: Release L1 while executing the speed boost to maintain proper dribbling.
Example 1 (1:14-1:52)
When I receive the ball with Rodri, I'm isolated against the defense. I hold L1 and look for space to sprint through. Once I create a slight gap, I release L1, hold R2, and direct the left stick toward the opening. This fluid motion propels me past the defender, leading to a goal-scoring opportunity.
Example 2 (2:04-2:30)
Another example I want to highlight comes from the FC Pro Open Final, featuring two of the world's best pro players, Aubin and Anders Vejrgang. This is a great opportunity for us to observe and learn.
Obrun finds himself in a position where he is isolated against his defenders in a one-on-one situation, with plenty of space to exploit. As he gains possession, he holds L1 and identifies a significant gap between Anders Vejrgang's center-back and right-back.
Obrun makes a diagonal exit and activates a speed boost, gaining a substantial advantage. This is particularly effective as Anders's center-back tries to win it aggressively, allowing Obrun to break through and head toward the goal.
This situation illustrates the effectiveness of a slight change of direction combined with a speed boost when facing an opponent's backline. Once you're past the defenders, especially with players who have a Quick Step or Rapid playstyle, it's nearly impossible to stop them—especially after the recent patch.
Summary of Speed Boost
• Speed Boost is performed by holding L1 and then moving the left stick in the desired direction while holding R2.
• Best executed by players with Quick Step or Rapid playstyle and is most effective in attacking positions during one-on-one encounters with defenders.
Tip 2: Free Kicks
Free kicks can be a guaranteed goal from certain positions, much like penalties this year. When learning to take free kicks, we break the process into two key components: aim and power.
Aim
The aim is straightforward. Depending on your target, you can position the cursor either all the way to the outside foot or all the way to the inside foot. These two methods are the most effective options I'll teach you.
Power
Once you've decided on your aim, it's all about power. If you're about 20 yards from the box, aim for approximately three bars of power. If you're further back, around 25 to 30 yards, increase it to about three and a half bars.
But here's an important tip: while holding the Circle button for power, you must also hold L1 simultaneously. That might seem like a lot of information, so let's break it down with an example.
Example 1 (4:00-4:50)
I have a free kick against one of the best players in the world, GC. I'm using a player with Dead Ball and Dead Ball+ playstyle for optimal results. I decide to aim for an outside foot shot around the wall and into the top corner. I position the cursor all the way to the outside foot curled and keep the line straight across without adjusting it up or down.
Since I'm about 25 yards out, I choose 3.5 bars of power. For bonus points, if you tap Circle just before striking, you'll see the green timing indicator, making your shot even more accurate. In this case, my aim was perfect, and with 3.5 bars of power, the ball flew beautifully into the corner.
Remember, the ball will curl significantly, so be prepared for that!
Example 2 (5:00-5:24)
Obrun scores a free kick against Anders in the seventh minute. He positions his inside foot all the way to the left. He directs it around the post, seemingly off-target, but he knows it will curl in, thanks to Palmer's Dead Ball+ playstyle. Timing it green as he strikes helps the ball fly in at a quicker pace, resulting in a crucial goal worth $100,000.
Summary of Free Kicks
• Free kicks are best taken from 18-30 yards out.
• Aim with either the inside or outside of the foot, depending on the situation.
• Use 3-3.5 bars of power.
• For optimal results, time your free kick to hit green.
Master these techniques, and you'll be scoring free kicks like a pro!
Tip 3: Low Driven Shots
Low driven shots are incredibly effective because they are the most reliable way to score in the box and are quite easy to execute. Here's how to perform a low driven shot: simply tap Circle with about 1-1.5 bars of power, and use the left stick to aim where you want the shot to go.
This technique is even more effective when using Precision shooting. If you're utilizing the Precision shot assistance, you'll notice the benefits even more.
Example (6:13-6:56)
Low driven shots are ideal in tight angles within the box, especially when the goalkeeper is rushing towards you and there isn't enough space for a chip shot.
As I find myself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, I realize a chip shot isn’t the best option given the goalkeeper's positioning. Instead, considering the goalkeeper's animations, a low driven finish just under him is often the best choice. Here, tap Circle with 1-1.5 bars of power. The ball rolls along the ground, and even with the goalkeeper's reach, he's caught off guard by the low driven shot.
Example 2 (7:02-7:51)
In another scenario, as the striker approaches the goal, the angle may seem okay, but the goalkeeper can sometimes make a great save by stretching out. Again, using 1.5 bars of power for a low driven shot will increase your chances of scoring, as the goalkeeper's animation won't be able to save it.
Summary of Low Driven Shots
• Consistent and reliable finishing method inside the box.
• Shoot with 1-1.5 bars of power and aim for the corners.
• Best used at tight angles or when the keeper is onrushing you with no space.
• More effective when combined with the Precision shooting.
Tip 4: Through Balls
In FC 25, through balls are back and arguably better than ever. It seems that the developers really favor people who can execute through balls. Before diving into how to perform them, it's crucial to note that through balls are most effective with players who possess the Incisive Pass playstyle. This aspect is very important.
There are two types of through balls: On the Floor and In the Air. Executing them is straightforward:
On the Floor: Press the triangle button.
In the Air: Hold L1 and then press the triangle.
While this may sound basic, there are some tips to help you set them up effectively:
Player Attributes: Ensure the player has the Incisive Pass playstyle; the Long Ball Pass playstyle can also be useful, but the Incisive Pass is more critical.
Triggering a Run: Before playing a through ball, you must press L1 to trigger a run. There's no point in passing to a stationary player.
The effectiveness of the through ball relies heavily on timing and analysis.
Example 1 (9:21-10:03)
For example, I'm using Bonmatí, who has a silver Incisive Pass. The first step is to trigger the run. As I face Rodri, I press L1 to encourage him to make a run. Once he's on the move, I can confidently press triangle with enough power to let the ball reach him, thanks to the effectiveness of the Incisive Pass.
For longer through balls, adjust the power accordingly. If you want the ball to travel a greater distance, use around 3.5 bars of power. Conversely, for shorter passes, apply less power.
Now, let's elevate this to the next level: the first-time through ball. You've probably heard about it frequently this year due to its effectiveness.
Example 2 (10:17-10:37)
For example, Obrun triggers Omri's run. As Omri advances, he passes to Palmer and executes a first-time triangle pass, aiming it perfectly. The ball goes around the corner, allowing Omri to score easily.
To perform a first-time through ball in the air, follow the same procedure, but press L1 and triangle. While these are more challenging, mastering them can significantly enhance your gameplay.
Summary of Through Balls
• Execution: Press triangle or L1 + triangle.
• Player Requirement: Use a player with Incisive Pass playstyle for the best result.
• Triggering a Run: Always trigger a run before performing it.
• Advanced Technique: Aim for first-time through balls for maximum effectiveness.
Tip 5: Player Switching
In FC 25, defending is tougher than ever. Mastering player switching can significantly reduce the number of goals you concede. There are two main methods for player switching:
1. L1 Button: Tap L1 to select the nearest player.
2. Right Stick: Flick the right stick towards the player you want to select.
Before we dive into examples, let's discuss settings. For L1 switching, I recommend setting it to "Closest to Ball." This ensures that whenever you press L1, it selects the player nearest to the ball. For Right Stick Switching, I have my Sensitivity set to 2, but feel free to experiment with settings between 2 and 4. I wouldn't suggest going higher than that, but it's a matter of personal preference.
Example 1 (11:54-14:00)
I typically use L1 switching around the box when quick decisions are crucial. This allows me to select the player closest to the ball, which is essential for stopping an opponent from dribbling past or taking a shot.
For example, when facing a short free kick near my box, I first switch to Omri. As the play develops and the opponent passes out wide, I switch to Theo Hernandez. When I see Vini trying to cut inside, I switch again to Rodri, the player closest to the ball. This allows me to effectively prevent a potential fake shot or a curled shot.
In contrast, I use right stick switching to anticipate plays. For instance, if an opponent is on the wing with Bale and gets past Theo Hernandez, I know I need to switch to Haaland. Since Theo is the closest player, I can't use L1 effectively here. Instead, I flick the right stick towards Haaland, allowing me to quickly position him to impact the play. If you know whom you want to select, right stick switching is very effective. Remember, right stick switching has a steeper learning curve, so practice is essential.
Summary of Player Switching
• Press L1 or Right Stick to perform play switching.
• L1 Switching: Best used near the box. Set to "Closest to Ball."
• Right Stick Switching: Ideal for tracking through balls and having more control. Sensitivity should be between 2 and 4.
• Right Stick is harder and takes more time to learn.
These five pro tips—speed boosts, free kicks, low driven shots, through balls, and player switching—will enhance your gameplay in FC 25. Remember, buying FIFA FUT coins can further boost your performance by allowing you to build a stronger team.
Last but not least, if you found this video helpful, make sure to subscribe to Tom Leese's channel for more professional guides and tutorials.
