I think dribbling distance is very effective on rating. But not the only one. Playing by aggressive means does the trick. Dribbling with ball, creating chances with passes and crosses, taking a lot of shots. They are all important.
First ss from BaL mode and second one is from master league with fixed setting. Both of them are on regular difficulty. Most of the passes (in both examples) were through passes in front of the goal.
8.0 rating:
8.5 rating:
I think the important thing is involving game by aggressive means.
NOTE: Master league team is an edit team. Stats are between 80's and 90's.
First ss from BaL mode and second one is from master league with fixed setting. Both of them are on regular difficulty. Most of the passes (in both examples) were through passes in front of the goal.
8.0 rating:

8.5 rating:

I think the important thing is involving game by aggressive means.
NOTE: Master league team is an edit team. Stats are between 80's and 90's.