SCORING "GOALS" !!!!

So far you know what formation suits you and how would you manage your defense. But I tell you that wont be of any use until and unless you know how to score a GOAL. In FIFA 10 you will come across different scoring instances and one must learn what to do with the ball at a particular instance. So I sum up below some of such instances which you will surely find useful to improve your shooting.

• When you are closer to the goal, say within 18 yard box, the kind of shot you should use is "Finesse Shot". This is done by pressing 'Q + D'(switch player+shoot) .This improves the accuracy of your shot along with adding some spin to the ball. Though the speed of the shot is low as compared to a normal shot, but still it has its own advantages. Also try to slow down before taking the shot as this will also increase the accuracy of your shot.
  
  
  
• In a situation when you are one on one with the keeper, you opponent will surely push the keeper forward. This is when people gets confused what to do and miss a golden opportunity. This is where you need to learn about the "Chip Shot". But in FIFA 10 its a little different as what was in 09. Remember to fill up the shot bar at least upto half way but not more that three-fourth of it. 

• Long shots looks awesome when executed perfectly. But you must be knowing that happens once in a blue moon. But this doesn't mean you should not try it. When you get a chance to take a long shot just don't fill up the shot bar completely but maximum to three-fourth. Taking a long shot while sprinting adds power to your shot. You can also use a finesse shot but that would be more about placement rather than power. I must say you should try this a lot as even if you doesn't score first time there is high probability of you getting a corner or a free kick in a very good position.
  
  
  
• Another way of scoring goals is through header. Scoring goals using headers is really easy in FIFA 10. While trying a header you should remember that the more fast you tap down the shoot button the more will be the chances of your player winning the header. You can also make use of the marker which shows where the ball will drop, accordingly you can position your player to take the header.

So now you are ready to try out some different kind of shots. Get on the field and start scoring more and more goals.

HOW TO DEFEND ???

The best defense is offense. That's right, but what if your opponent is following the same strategy on you. Now that's gonna have some problem for your defenders. But you wont have to worry a thing. What you have to do is just stay calm and let your opponent's striker commit mistakes which eventually he would do, for sure.

The first thing you need to learn while defending is to stop pressing E (sprint) along with D (tackle) all the time. Press E only when you are following your opponents striker to catch. This is because it becomes very easy for your opponent to dribble the ball from your defenders and once the defender is beaten he wont be able to do anything to get the ball. When the attacker is coming towards you just place your defender in front of him and use simply D and arrow keys to get the ball. Most of the time the striker will commit mistake and the ball is yours. Just dont commit your defender towards the ball and make your opponent's work easy.


The second thing to learn is try and guess which player is available for your opponent to pass the ball and mark that player. This will make very difficult for your opponent to pass the ball and eventually he will try to dribble the ball on his own and in that attemp he will surely loose the ball. For this you need to be good at switching players so that when required you can mark the opponents player.

While defending a corner what people mostly do is that they clear the ball using S (short pass) so that they can find a player and move on to a strong counter attack. But what mostly happens is instead of finding their own players the ball slips into the legs of opponent and gives him an easy chance to shoot the ball first time. So what you have to do is clear the ball using D. This will not only move the ball much farther away from your box but will also give time to your defenders to settle down at their positions in case the ball is still with the opponent.

And finally the most important thing is using sliding tackle. Many people use sliding tackle a lot instead of standing tackle. They don't even mind whether they are using it in their own box. I will suggest you to minimize the use of sliding tackle. Just don't unnecessarily use it, but use it only when you have got no other option. If you still have an urge to perform a sliding tackle than do it when the player has already passed the ball to some one else. This may give a free kick to your opponent but you are sure of not getting a card. Its use is simple, there is a high probability of your opponent getting injured. So apply it with care ;-) .

Regarding the custom style it depends on how good you can manage your defenders. If you don't want your defenders to come forward and aid in attack you can keep Zonal Defense on and Attacking Full Backs off. To put pressure on your opponent's strikers keep Pressing on. For an attacking formation or when you down with goals keep Attacking Full Backs on along with Pressing and Offside Trap on. But a lot of care has to be put into this as if the opponent striker gets pass your last defender without getting offside then its solely on you Goal Keeper to save the goal.

What Formation to Play With ???

 

I find the best formation to play with is 4-3-3. It gives you a lot of attacking options. Three strikers do create a lot of problems for the opponent's defense. Even the midfielders aid a lot while attacking. You can choose your striker either to shoot by himself or pass it on to other unmarked striker or mid fielder whichever is available. Choosing custom styles wisely helps a lot while attacking. While attacking you can set your custom styles to wing play along with 3rd man release.

Wing Play - With it your strikers(LS and RS) sprints down the wing creating a lot of open space for them to pass. you just need to send them a long through ball and if once they beat the defenders your on to a great chance. Its a very effective tactic.

But what has to be kept in mind is that you should be equally good in defense while playing such an attacking formation. If not than you must think twice before using this formation because it leaves your defense open up for your opponent to charge down their attackers and attack often. What you can do is choose your center midfielder as CDM( Center Defensive Midfielder) who can aid your defense while fast counter attack of your opponent.

Some of the teams have their default formation as 4-3-3 including AC Milan, Man City, Brazil, Barcelona and I must tell you these teams are real good while attacking. Teams which can be made equally good in attack with this formation includes Juventus, Chelsea, France and Inter Milan.

FIFA 10 PC NOTES

FIFA 10 gameplay fundamentals
More responsive gameplay

•  Slightly faster transition
•  More fluid animations
•  Improved heading and crossing
•  Improved player switching
•  Simple to do skill moves
•  Auto-evade slide tackles

Updated collision system

•  Less colliding with team mates

Improved teammate support

•  Improved teammate support runs
•  More passing and crossing actions

Improved goalkeeping

•  New GK distribution (pass based on Team-Styles®)
•  Improved deflections and variation
•  Quicker off the line in one-on-one situations

Updated set-pieces

•  Quick throw-ins and free-kicks

Game settings

•  New authentic game speed
•  Legendary difficulty added

Team-Styles

• 26 different team-styles
• Attacking and defensive style for every club
• Authentic AI will play more like real life team
• Commentary feedback as the play and style unfold
• Custom styles – 14 different options

Pre-match scout report

• Learn oppositions tactics and strong/weak players

Refined online gaming

• Fixed disconnect issue
• Fixed “ready to play” issue
• Fixed slow frame-rate issue
• Made logging in more straight-forward
• Friends list and messaging service

Refereeing improved

• Improved referee intelligence
• Improved linesman and referee animations

Graphical enhancement

• Untucked shirts
• New gameplay HUD
• More cinematic emotion
• Cultural NIS scenes
• Stadium attendances shown in crowd
• Supporters wear club colours