Operation Sports:
FIFA Soccer 2005: Touch and Go
By Shawn Drotar, Managing Editor, OperationSports.com
Anyone who's seen a soccer game in person has witnessed the remarkable skill and athleticism that these incredible athletes possess. Their extraordinary ball-handling skills are often forever memorialized on fantastic highlight reels. Now, for the first time, EA SPORTS™ translates those spectacular abilities to their popular FIFA Soccer franchise, and the result is more fun, more control, and more excitement for those playing FIFA Soccer 2005.
How to get ahead(er) in FIFA Soccer 2005.
The all-new "First Touch Control" revolutionizes FIFA Soccer 2005, completely changing the way the game is played. EA pioneered using the right thumbstick for "Freestyle" control in NBA Live 2005, and First Touch works much the same as its basketball counterpart. The more realistic ball physics, when combined with proper use of First Touch, will make you think that you're watching the real thing. The FIFA Soccer brand has always been about solid control and fun play, and FIFA Soccer 2005 is no exception.
First Touch is dynamic to an extent; its success is based on timing, speed, momentum, and the player's skill at ball control. Supremely talented players like Ronaldo, Thierry Henry, David Beckham, and Landon Donovan will have more success in general than less-skilled players, but all players can use First Touch to their advantage. Getting used to First Touch requires practice and experimentation, but there are some consistent moves you can use. We'll go over them so you know what to expect.
Tackling the ball away from an opponent.
Naturally, your player will control the ball better when he's moving slowly, so more options will be available to the player if he's not sprinting (pressing the right trigger). All the moves listed below are created by moving the right thumbstick during play.
Pressing forward (in the direction of your player with the ball) makes your player protect the ball by stepping over it and keeping it between his legs. This can help you avoid losing the ball to a nearby defender.
Pressing back momentarily lifts the ball off of the pitch, while pressing left or right (of the direction your player is facing) calls for a quick juke to either side.
There are more complex moves using the right thumbstick, as well, and those familiar with the stick movements of fighting games will feel right at home.
Pressing forward and quickly back makes your player "backheel" the ball and double-back towards it, hopefully shaking an aggressive defender. Pressing back, then quickly rotating the stick up or down (or left/right, depending on which direction your player is facing) lifts the ball and quickly changes direction.
Pressing forward and then to the left or right of your player causes a quick diagonal cut to either side. Reversing the process (pressing left or right of your player, then forward) makes your player to spin 360 degrees with the ball—a highlight reel move if there ever was one.
One of many First Touch moves available.
When sprinting, you'll have fewer options, but the ones you do have can still be devastating.
Pushing forward will make your player lunge into the clear at full speed—perfect when you have some open space. Pushing left or right of your player calls for another lunge, but this time at a sharp angle. Pressing back executes the same "backheel" move—but it's even more extreme, and can be used as a drop pass to your teammates.
Furthermore, the right stick can be tapped in any direction immediately as the ball is received to get the play moving immediately, and any of the First Touch moves can be chained together to create even more amazing maneuvers.
There are even more First Touch Control moves available, but I'll leave the fun of discovering the rest of them to you. Hit the practice field and master all the moves you can make before you take your game online with Xbox Live®. You'll become a much better player and have even more fun in no time!
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