EA Sports FC 24 is the latest installment in the popular football simulation game series, and it brings some new features and improvements to the gameplay. Whether you are a casual player or a competitive gamer, you might be looking for some tips and tricks to enhance your skills and performance in FC 24. In this guide, we'll share five game-changing strategies that can help you level up your FC 24 gameplay and dominate the pitch.
Whether you're a beginner or a professional FC 24 player, you'll need EA FC coins to have a better game and a stronger Ultimate Team.
1. Make the Best Use of FC 24's Dribbling System
One of the biggest changes in FC 24 is the new dribbling system, which gives you more control and creativity over the ball. It consists of two main elements: agile dribbling and creative runs.
Agile dribbling allows you to perform quick, precise movements with the ball using the right analog stick. You can use it to create space, beat defenders, and set up shots. To activate agile dribbling, hold the R1 or RB button while moving the right analog stick. You can also use the L1 or LB button to perform skill moves, such as the ball roll, the heel-to-heel flick, or the roulette.
Creative runs let you direct your teammates' movement off the ball using the left analog stick, helping you create passing options, exploit gaps, and confuse defenders. To activate a creative run, flick the left analog stick in the direction you want a teammate to run after passing the ball. Use L1/LB to trigger a run, or R1/RB to cancel one. Mastering this dribbling system unlocks more creativity and flair on the pitch, leading to more scoring opportunities.
2. Learn the New Passing Mechanics
FC 24 also introduces new passing mechanics that make passing feel more realistic and challenging, built around manual passing and directed passing.
Manual passing lets you pass the ball more accurately and precisely using the left analog stick, helping you deliver the ball exactly where you want it while avoiding interceptions. To use it, turn on Precision Passing in the game settings under the Passing section. You can also use L1/LB for a lobbed pass, or R1/RB for a driven pass.
Directed passing lets you pass more dynamically and creatively using the right analog stick—curving the ball, changing its trajectory, or adding spin. To activate it, flick the right analog stick in the direction you want the ball to go right after pressing the pass button. L1/LB performs a lobbed directed pass, and R1/RB performs a driven directed pass. Learning these mechanics improves both your passing accuracy and your ability to create unpredictable plays.
3. Customize Your Tactics and Formations
Tactics and formations are essential in FC 24, letting you adapt your play style to different situations. This system is built around custom tactics and dynamic tactics.
Custom tactics let you set up your approach for each game mode through the game settings—adjusting defensive style, offensive style, player instructions, and player roles. You can also use the D-pad to access the quick tactics menu and make changes on the fly.
Dynamic tactics let you switch between tactical setups mid-match using the D-pad, adapting to the score, time remaining, and your opponent's approach. Press D-pad left or right to cycle between defensive, balanced, attacking, and ultra-attacking tactics, or D-pad up/down to switch between your preset formations.
4. Improve Your Defending Skills
Defending in FC 24 requires more skill and timing than in previous titles, built around manual defending and player switching.
Manual defending gives you direct, active control over your defenders using the buttons and left analog stick—positioning them, blocking shots, intercepting passes, and timing tackles. To use it, turn off Auto Switching under the Player Switching settings. Use L2/LT to jockey, Circle/B to tackle, or X/A to contain.
Player switching lets you move between defenders quickly and accurately using the right analog stick, so you always have the best-positioned player selected and avoid leaving gaps. Turn on Adaptive Right Stick Switching to enable it, and use L1/LB to switch to the nearest defender, or R3 to switch to your goalkeeper.
5. Utilize the New Set Pieces System
FC 24's reworked set-piece system gives you more options and precision on free kicks and penalties, built around aiming and power.
Aiming lets you target your free kicks and penalties more precisely using the right analog stick, letting you choose the target, angle, and curve of your shot. Move the right stick in the direction you want the ball to go while holding the shoot button. L2/LT performs a knuckleball, while R1/RB performs a finesse shot.
Power lets you control the height and speed of your shot using the shoot button itself—press and hold until you reach your desired power level, then release. L1/LB performs a chip shot, and R1/RB performs a low shot. Mastering this system means more goals from dead-ball situations and a real edge over opponents who don't.
FC 24 Core Controls Cheat Sheet
| Action | PlayStation | Xbox | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agile Dribbling | Hold R1 + Right Stick | Hold RB + Right Stick | Dribbling |
| Skill Move Trigger | L1 | LB | Dribbling |
| Lobbed Pass | L1 (hold) | LB (hold) | Passing |
| Driven Pass | R1 (hold) | RB (hold) | Passing |
| Jockey | L2 | LT | Defending |
| Tackle | Circle | B | Defending |
| Contain | X | A | Defending |
| Knuckleball (Set Piece) | L2 | LT | Set Pieces |
| Finesse Shot (Set Piece) | R1 | RB | Set Pieces |
| Chip Shot (Set Piece) | L1 | LB | Set Pieces |
FAQ: EA FC 24 Gameplay Tips
Do I need to turn on any settings to use manual passing?
Yes. Precision Passing needs to be enabled in the game settings under the Passing section before you can use the manual passing mechanic described above.
What's the difference between custom tactics and dynamic tactics?
Custom tactics are pre-set through the game settings menu and define your overall approach for a game mode, while dynamic tactics let you switch between different tactical presets in real time during a match using the D-pad.
Do I need to disable Auto Switching to defend manually?
Yes. Manual defending requires turning off Auto Switching under the Player Switching settings, giving you direct control over which defender you're moving rather than letting the game choose automatically.
Can I combine agile dribbling with skill moves?
Yes. While holding R1/RB for agile dribbling, you can also use L1/LB to trigger specific skill moves like the ball roll or roulette, combining fluid movement with more advanced touches.
Conclusion
EA Sports FC 24 brings real depth to its core mechanics, and mastering these five areas—dribbling, passing, tactics, defending, and set pieces—gives you a genuine edge over less prepared opponents. Take the time to practice each system individually in Kick-Off or Squad Battles before relying on them in competitive matches, and you'll see the difference in both your control and your results on the pitch.