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FIFA 23 is one of the most realistic and rewarding football games in the series, offering new levels of gameplay depth across Ultimate Team, Career Mode, Volta, and more. Whether you're a casual gamer or an aspiring pro, mastering FIFA 23 takes more than just knowing how to score goals—it requires smart tactics, refined techniques, and the right settings. This guide delivers essential tips and strategies that will help you improve your game step-by-step, covering everything from basic mechanics to advanced tactics. Let’s dive into the pitch and elevate your FIFA 23 experience.
Getting Started: Learn the Basics First
Before you take on the world in competitive modes, it’s crucial to become familiar with the fundamental mechanics of the game. FIFA 23 introduces subtle but important changes in player behavior, shooting styles, and dribbling, so even returning players will benefit from a refresher.
Mastering the controls should be your first step. FIFA 23 features advanced moves like power shots (L1 + R1 + Circle), precision dribbling (L2 + Left Stick), and contextual touches. Practice these in skill games or during Kick-Off matches to build muscle memory.
Skill Games are a perfect place to sharpen your fundamental abilities. These mini challenges cover passing, dribbling, shooting, and defending. Try to complete them with high scores to improve your reflexes and technique.
Player Settings and Customization
Optimizing your settings can dramatically enhance your gameplay. FIFA 23 provides a host of customization options that allow you to tailor your experience to your play style.
Start with the controller settings. Turn on Timed Finishing for more accurate shots, and enable Right Stick Switching to have greater control over player selection. Turning off FIFA Trainer is also recommended for experienced players to reduce on-screen clutter.
Camera angles can also make a big difference. "Tele Broadcast" and "Co-Op" provide better field vision, which is crucial for passing and positioning. Make sure to adjust camera height and zoom to your liking for optimal visibility.
Additional tweaks like setting Analog Sprint to “On” or enabling vibration feedback will improve your sense of movement and physicality during matches. Spend time exploring these options in settings to find what gives you the best control.
Mastering Passing and Shooting
Once your settings are optimized, improving your offense is the next priority. Passing and shooting effectively can make all the difference between a narrow loss and a dominant win.
There are multiple passing types to master. Standard short passes (X/A) are for close, accurate play. Through balls (Triangle/Y) allow you to slice through defenses with timed runs. Driven passes (R1 + X / RB + A) are perfect for quick transitions and attacking flow.
Shooting, meanwhile, offers many techniques. Finesse shots (R1 + Circle) bend around defenders and are great inside the box. Power shots (L1 + R1 + Circle) are ideal for long-range strikes. Chip shots (L1 + Circle) are best when the goalkeeper rushes out. Always consider your angle and distance before selecting your shot type.
Practice scenarios in the arena or training mode to understand when each pass and shot works best. These basics will serve as your offensive backbone in all game modes.
Building Smart Tactics and Formations
Knowing how to build your team tactically is essential for success. Even with great players, a poor formation or tactic can break your game.
Custom tactics allow you to personalize how your team plays. Defensive instructions like “Stay Back While Attacking” for full-backs or offensive settings like “Get In Behind” for wingers can dramatically change your style. Use “Cut Passing Lanes” for defensive midfielders to help stop quick attacks.
Choosing the right formation is also key. 4-2-3-1 offers a balanced mix of defense and creativity. 4-4-2 is simple and effective for beginners. If you prefer counter-attacks, try 5-3-2 or 4-3-3 False 9. Make sure your formation suits your player strengths.
Don’t forget to set up multiple custom game plans. These allow you to switch styles mid-game using the D-Pad, helping you adjust to your opponent’s strategy on the fly.
Improving Your Defense
Defense wins championships—even in FIFA. Improving your defensive game involves patience, awareness, and control.
Manual defending is a must-learn skill. Rather than relying on AI, use jockeying (L2 / LT) to contain attackers, and well-timed standing tackles (Circle / B) to win the ball cleanly. Don’t slide tackle unless it’s absolutely necessary—it’s risky and often punished.
Positioning is everything. Don’t pull center-backs out of line. Use your midfielders to press, cut off passing lanes, and delay the attack. This gives your backline time to organize and cover runs.
Using second-man press (R1 / RB) can be useful when closing down attackers. But use it sparingly—it drains stamina and can leave you exposed. Practice these skills in skill games and apply them in Squad Battles or Career Mode.
Dominating in Ultimate Team
FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT) is highly competitive and loaded with features. To get the most from this mode, you need both smart gameplay and off-the-pitch management.
Start by completing the initial objectives. These give you coins, loan players, and basic packs. Use these wisely to build a starting squad that has good chemistry and fits a common league like Premier League or La Liga.
Chemistry is critical. In FIFA 23, players get chemistry based on nation, league, and club. Aim for full chemistry (33/33). Position modifiers help players fit naturally into your system and boost performance.
Smart trading can earn you coins quickly. Monitor the market for fluctuations during promo packs or real-world events. Buying low and selling high is a reliable strategy. Also, complete SBCs (Squad Building Challenges) with untradeable players to earn packs and rewards.
Skill Moves and Dribbling
Skill moves can turn a balanced match in your favor, especially when facing tight defenses. Knowing a few reliable ones can improve your attacking options significantly.
Focus on 4-star skill moves that are easy to learn but highly effective. The Ball Roll is simple but lets you glide past defenders. Heel to Heel Flick can create space instantly. Stepovers confuse defenders and allow you to change direction quickly.
Agile dribbling is another important technique. Holding L1 (or LB) allows your player to keep the ball close while moving. This is especially useful in tight areas or when playing with smaller, agile players.
Don’t overuse skills. Mix them with regular dribbles, passes, and pace changes to be unpredictable. The best dribblers use deception and timing rather than just fancy footwork.
Playing Career Mode Efficiently
Career Mode offers a more immersive, strategic experience than Ultimate Team, especially if you prefer offline play. Whether managing a top club or rebuilding a lower-league team, smart planning is vital.
Use scouts to discover high-potential youth players. Countries like Brazil, Argentina, France, and Germany often yield the best talent. Focus on players aged 16–18 with a potential rating above 85.
Assign development plans to boost stats in key areas. For example, train full-backs to improve pace and stamina. You can also change player positions to fit your system better, such as turning a winger into a striker.
Use the transfer market wisely. Sign free agents in the off-season and use pre-contract agreements to land big players at lower costs. Always negotiate to lower fees and reduce player wage demands.
Managing Mentality and Momentum
FIFA 23 is as much a mental game as a mechanical one. Keeping calm under pressure and adjusting your mentality mid-match is essential for consistency.
Be ready to adapt during matches. If you're leading, switch to a more defensive plan. If you're behind, increase your press or change to a more aggressive formation. The D-Pad allows quick tactical changes on the fly.
Stay calm after conceding. Many players lose composure and rush, leading to more goals against them. Focus on retaining possession and resetting your rhythm.
Tilt is real—even in FIFA. Take breaks after tough losses. Watch match highlights to learn from mistakes. Muting toxic opponents in FUT can also help you concentrate better.
Practicing Consistently and Staying Updated
The best FIFA players play daily, but smart practice matters more than just grinding.
Play different modes—Career, FUT, Pro Clubs—to experience various styles and challenges. Focus on one skill area at a time, like defending, finishing, or set-pieces, and rotate through weekly.
Watch pros and content creators. Many share helpful tutorials on tactics, formations, and gameplay. FIFA eSports tournaments also show top-tier strategies in action.
Stay up to date with patches and updates. EA Sports frequently releases balance changes that affect game mechanics. A tactic that works one month may be ineffective after a patch.
Conclusion
FIFA 23 is a highly rewarding game for those willing to put in the time and effort. From mastering basic controls to climbing the FUT ranks and managing a dream Career Mode team, this guide has covered essential tips for players at every level. With practice, smart decision-making, and adaptability, you’ll not only improve your gameplay but also enjoy FIFA 23 to the fullest. Whether you play casually or competitively, these strategies will help you dominate the digital pitch.
