How to Improve at FIFA 16

FIFA 16 is a difficult game. Along with having one of the most unfair and cruel difficulty settings we've ever seen in a football game, there are many controls to master. On top of all that, it's a game that assumes that the player knows their football, that they can read plays and apply that knowledge on the digital field. If you don't come prepared with years of practice under your belt, it may be difficult to find your feet in the new edition of EA Sports' football sim, and even if consider yourself a "master" in FIFA, you still need to relearn several elements. Fear not though, as we have decided to help out with a short guide that should offer a helping hand to anyone trying to tackle this year's entry in the series.

1. Knowledge

Before you can run, you must learn how to walk. FIFA 16 is a very complex game, with many types of shooting, passing and dribbling. To learn the basics, or even the most advanced features, take a peek at the videos that EA Sports has made available in the main menu. You can also use the new help system that provides contextual tips for players during matches. Play some games on the weaker difficulty settings and pay attention to the pointers from the help system.

2. Practice

After you have learned the theory of FIFA 16, it's time to put it into practice, and for this there is nothing better than beating the various Skill Games with top marks. Some of these challenges can be quite difficult, but after several attempts, you should be evolving. If you can master theses Skill Games, you will be better prepared than ever to face FIFA - online and offline - and will know most of the secrets of the gameplay.

3. The Art of Defence

Defending in FIFA 16 is a complicated task, and it has been this way since EA Sports changed to a manual defensive scheme. If it actually proves too challenging, you can change back to the classic scheme, which is almost automatic. In the controls section choose the "Legacy Defending" option. Other than that, try to stay calm when defending. Don't rush to the ball, or you will be dribbled past with ease. Calm, patience and timing are the foundations of a good defence.

4. Ball Retention

The artificial intelligence in FIFA 16 defends very well, so it's natural that some players will find it hard to maintain possession of the ball. If that's case for you, the first thing you should do is release the sprint button. There is often a tendency to run with the ball, but this can be a big mistake. Try to pass the ball frequently, wait for the other players to occupy the empty spaces and don't risk too much. This will allow you to keep the ball for a longer period of time, and will eventually open up attacking possibilities.

5. Attacking with Purpose

There are several ways to attack in FIFA 16. You can cross into the area, defend deep and let them attack before hitting them on the break, shot from outside the area or even make some one-two plays near the oposite defenders. There's no perfect way of attacking, but you should always take into account the team's strengths and weaknesses. If your strikers are small, crossing might be an inefficient way of trying to score. On the other hand, if your forwards lack pace, it won't be easy to launch rapid counterattacks. Be smart about how you attack and play to the best strengths of your team.

6. Tactics for Success

Formations and tactics in FIFA 16 are more important than many initially consider. Players will often complain that their team sits back too far on the pitch, that their forwards are always straying offside, or that there's not enough attacking runs in behind the opposition defence. All of this can actually be attributed to the team's tactics. Spend a bit of time adjusting the formation of your team, and consider what mentality you want them to express on the pitch. Do this and you will surely notice improvements in the way they play, and it should better reflect your own personal style.

7. Unlock Free Stuff

Have you noticed that you earn FIFA points whenever you fulfil certain actions? Well, there is a place where you can spend these hard-earned points. Via the main menu, press R3 to visit the items catalog. Here you can unlock coins for FUT, alternative kits, new celebrations, cheats for career mode, and several extra balls; all unlockable with FIFA points.

If you want to know more about FIFA 16, you can read our guide on how to make the game more realistic using the slider system, and there's also a guide specifically for Carrer Mode.