Dominating with the Long Ball

[AussieFox1]

Greetings all,

Anybody able to give an idiot's guide to the long ball - this may sound stupid, but is there a consistent-ish distance people kick the ball based on how long you hold down the long ball button (ie half way bar = 50 metres? full bar = whole field?) or does it vary from player to player or position on the field?

Also, if anybody has any good long ball strategies, please share - i tend to overly rely on the short pass and would really like to start developing some alternative strategies.

Many thanks

 

[-=[101st]=-]

full bar would equal about half the field... it does not always happen like that... as it can pick out a player and it will not always go where u want it to... but in sayin that i still use it heaps

 

[stevieboy]

Use the :L1: + R3 (right stick button) lofted manual pass.
It's especially good for picking-out CF runs from your defence.
Just practice a bit. Maybe 3/4 power or more, from the default CBT position when counter-attacking.
With the manual pass, the com (& P2) def's don't always pick the runs your forwards make, whereas the usual :circle: pass they generally will.
Also helps if your forwards have the "positioning" special ability.

...aiming is the hard part with the pass

 

[Mick03]

it can depend from player to player (not much thought) baiscly u need pratice, lots of pratics but its wourth it if you can put over a ball from your own half and score

 

[Cellini]

Use 'Opposite side attack' under Strategy, it will keep a player wide on the opposite wing, allowing you to switch the play more easily.

R2 will allow you to control the movement of the player receiving the pass, and R1 will help him head or chest the ball if it comes to him in the air. Look for a short knock-down to a midfilder.

 

[BazHilder]

The only long balls I play are using :L1: + :triangle: to do a high through ball. It can be really effective if you have a player making a forward run.

Distance isn't always too great though.

 

[Cellini]

I tend to use L1 + :circle: for long cross field passes. (And use Type 3 on the button configuration).

Good chest control (using R1) can turn an high pass into a great one, turning the ball the way you want to go.

 

[backdoor]

I tend to have my wide men right on each touchline. It is then really easy to hold down :circle: and ping the ball to the opposite wing where the player is in acres of space. Otherwise I tend to dribble the ball out with my full backs and then hit a forward diagonal ball about 50% which the opposite forward runs into space and collects.

 

[AfroJoe]

If you pass the ball out from taking a goal kick, and then with the player who receives the ball, hold L1 and tap Circle twice, you'll usually get it right to your main forward, who is usually in space. This gives you time to control it, think about where it's going, and pass.

 

[mfi00e]

From the goal kick, short pass to the nearest defender. Pass the ball between your defenders. Watch closely the radar. There will be a moment when your player(most of the time it's the forward) will be on the same line as the opponents defenders. Preferably you want this to happen when your player is moving towards to opponent's goal. Then hit long pass (just the O button) as long as you can before releasing it. Beware the incoming opponent's player so that the long ball is not intercepted. If you manage to release the long ball, your forward will find himself one-on-one with the keeper. This method is almost UNDEFENDABLE against computer. Once I scored 4 goals using Liverpool in a 5* match againts Man Utd with this method. Good luck!

 

[GE]

If you hold :L1: and press :circle: twice very quick, it does a wonderful ball, (if you do this one, do it when your in you own half, otherwise it may go to far, and the keeper will get it)

 

[familymahone]

I always found that the most effective way to play direct football is to play the forwards press strategy and position a cf/omf behind the big man up front. If you are playing direct you MUST have supporting players to win any knockdowns. If you have a spare man up front who is quick then position him slightly ahead of your big man so he will make through runs.

Side backs and side midfielders are best for delivering the ball from distance (if you are closer use the O button and ^ for a lower ball). I find it easier to hit diagonal balls as balls from central areas are easier to defend.

Lump the ball up to the big man (using R2 to position yourself in front of the defender) and he can nod it into the strikers path. You can also head it backwards to your supporting midfield but even if goes to the opposition the forwards press stategy will usually give you the chance to rob them before they can get the ball under control. From there it's just a case of getting the ball to your other forward or winger.

-----cf-------
--------cf---- the big man up front
--------------
--ofm---ofm--

sb---------- side midfielder or side back hits diagonal ball

 

[Fab]

Use the :L1: + R3 (right stick button) lofted manual pass.
It's especially good for picking-out CF runs from your defence.
Just practice a bit. Maybe 3/4 power or more, from the default CBT position when counter-attacking.
With the manual pass, the com (& P2) def's don't always pick the runs your forwards make, whereas the usual :circle: pass they generally will.
Also helps if your forwards have the "positioning" special ability.

...aiming is the hard part with the pass

Thats right.
Manual pass using the right analogue stick is the best way for long passes because it caches the defense of guard and usually goes over them and onto your running attacker.
If you master this, then long passes from inside your ownhalf will dominate your opponant.

 

[jamez]

Try using the counter attack strategy as well. This will always leave attacking players hanging around the defensive line ready to pounce.