HOW TO BECOME BETTER AT FIFA - THE GUIDE

SO HERE GOES.. I have been asked on several occasions, 'why are so so good at FIFA? Why cant i beat you? How do you defend so well? Is it even possible to score from such distance?'. WELL today the ball is on your side of the court. As an Xbox loyalist i do play and beat games on the PS Console. My tutorial will be based mostly on XBOX experience so lets KICK OFF.



1st Thing 1st, selecting your team. Please note that while you may have a favourite team, playing with them in every match wont always give you the results you desire. Different teams play with different chemistry and as the game gets more realistic so will the team's ability. Teams such as Bayern, Milan, Juventus, Barcelona, Real Madrid, BVD, Chelsea, PSG and a few others will perform above a lot of other teams.

2. Next, selecting or creating a suitable formation and selecting your squad. After selecting your team another critical step is customizing your team by equipping them with a suitable formation depending on your style of play. Attacking formations such as 3-4-3, 4-4-2, 4-2-2-2 and others are great for players who like to take gamers head on but as anyone will know, these formations will open you up to counter attacks and loops in your defense. Defending formations such as the 5s and the CD inclined plays a more possession type game but makes it harder to go forward. While some players know and some don't, while selecting your formation you can go a step further by adjusting players' work rate and position on the field. You can select between high, medium and low work rate and decide where and or how a particular player should move when your team is in possession of the ball going forward and being attacked by you opponent. the can be done by selecting edit while in the 'select formation' setting. After doing all that ensure that you select the best candidates by comparing attributes for set pieces, free kicks and penalties.

Side Note: A lot of good players usually go for the fastest players on the field so ensure your defenders are fast.

3. Quick Tactics - select the quick tactics that best suit your team, these tactics can be changed during game play and makes it harder for your opponent to read your style of play. Counter Attack is usually a good tactic for plays who like to attack in numbers, leaving their defense wide open. This tactic along with setting how a player moves off the ball can be a deadly formula and can rack up many easy goals once you have a CF or Striker who is fast.

Time for the Good stuff.


ATTACKING

Remember, football is a game of patience and even if all your players are maxed out on attributes you still need to be patient in order to get goals.

While attacking Use the (LB + A) while making a pass and what this does is enable the player that is passing the ball to make a run into space so you can have more passing options. (LB+A+A) in the same direction will do a 1-2 pass which is effective when you are 2 against 1 while attacking. There is a high chance that this move will be blocked because of how accurate the pass will be so be careful. On the other hand (LB+A, Y) Y = through pass, will push the ball into a much more open space giving your attackers more space and less pressure. (LB+A, LB+Y) will give the same results except this time the pass will be a lob. Once these passes are successful and you have beaten the defender push your left mouse button in the direction of the goal so that the player kicks the ball into further space, giving the defender less of a chance to catch up.

Also when attacking you have to ensure that u frequently watch your radar. The radar will show where players are located, whether they are onside or offside and if they are making runs. This is especially critical when making counter attacks. If you see a CF in a good position don't be too hasty to make a pass. Look if there is a defender close by that will intercept a long pass, if not, make a powerful through pass to that player

When approaching the goal there are certain areas that make shots easier to score or harder to save. One of those spots is the edge of the 18 yard boxing coming in from the angle in line the the edge of the box

once you are in this position all you have to do is aim and fire with enough power to put the ball in the back of the net. A curl (LB+B)  shot works just as well and even further from the same exact angle.

Laced shots (RT+B)  are effective in placing the ball in far corners, whether you are approaching the goal from an angle or you are facing the goal directly. Laced shots are tricky because you might end up pacing instead. so ensure to release the run (RT) at the right Time.

Tip: after powering the bar to take a shot use the (LS) in a crescent motion finishing at the direction you want the ball to go and what this does is allow the player to adjust their body before taking the shot. Making it more accurate and powerful.

Chip shots are most effective when 1 on 1 with the keeper. The keeper has a tendency to leave his goal line when a player is in the 18 yard box and his defenders eating grass behind. What make chips shots difficult is the right power and the right direction so be sure to work on those in practice. Releasing the Sprint (RT) button is always something to keep in mind before taking a chips shot.

DEFENDING

Your attacking is as good as your defending. Whether you use tactical defending or Legacy defending once you know how to maneuver your players you will become good at this.

The key to defending is perfecting timing, patience and knowing what to expect from the players. Many players use legacy defending because it is easier than the other. However, because this is easier it makes it harder to win balls. While defending be aware that the more you push the (LS)  towards the player with the ball the more aggressive your player becomes. The more aggressive he becomes the more likely he is to commit a foul but this is the most effective way to get the ball off an attacker.

While defending be sure to use other players using the (B) Button and the (RB) to call another. It is not advisable to have 3 defenders attacking any 1 player (unless its Messi or CR7). While both players are trying to dispossess the player the player you are directly controlling should be filling gaps and reading where the attacker will be going. Jockey defense (LT)  is a great way of covering those gaps but you will have to know when to release this button. If the attacker is not dispossessed be sure to look for the pass. If you see that a pass is being made close to you do not hesitate to execute a slide tackle (X) to stop its path or the ball will run right by you.

When an attacker is in the box be careful how you run him out of position because your opponents will make sure to capitalize on this. Also the player will not immediately run back to the spot. Instead you can use a Midfielder to cover these areas. When in the box anticipate the run of their Strikers, the box is usually tight so they will more than likely have to use short powerful passes which are harder to control. With the right timing you can run your keeper out (Y) to intercept these balls or even scoop it up from under the attacker.

When being countered and an attacker has broken free it is up to you and the keeper to ensure that a goal does not score. One of the best way to do this is to timely call your keeper out and then releasing the button so he will run back while watching the attacker. Anticipate him overdribbling, if he is not sprinting the he is giving your defenders time to catch up. Before a player breaks away do not charge at him run back towards your goal if its 1 on 1 but if there are 2 defenders you should either try to cover the other and use your keeper to cover the one with the ball. or you can try to time the pass so that the 2nd attacker will be caught in an offside position. This strategy is more effective while eyeballing the radar.

Well that's it for this 90 minutes. These are just some of the strategies you can adopt into your gaming..

BEST OF LUCK FOLKS

WHEN YOU COME TO JAMAICA!!!!

HELLO MON! Probably a term you hear in every Jamaican based show. However, we don't say 'mon'. we don't even use that phase we say 'wah gwaan?' meaning 'whats up?' Nevertheless, that's not what i am here for. I am here to tell you about what you NEED to try WHEN YOU COME TO JAMAICA.

Jamaica is a really beautiful country with a welcoming tropical climate if you come at the right time of the year. Our beaches are beautiful, our people are friendly (sometimes too friendly it becomes annoying) but we ensure that our tourists feel comfortable here. THE NUMBER 1 REASON WHY PEOPLE COME TO JAMAICA HOWEVER is our traditional cuisine. So like a hungry scout lets jump right into it. Here is a list of dishes you MUST try when you come to Jamaica:

1.  JERK CHICKEN/ JERK PORK ( PAN CHICKEN/PORK) 

I'm just about sure you will send colonel packing with his 11 herbs and spices once you have tried our local jerk chicken. Prepared with the perfect mixture of herbs, spices and sauce not only is our Jerk chicken and pork a rebel for your tastebuds but it is also healthier than the regular fried chicken. Jerk is usually spicy but you can add ketchup which will negate the saucy taste but trust me this is a meal to live for. Jerk chicken/pork can be found almost everywhere in Jamaica and is usually served with either bammy, festivals ( fried sugary dumplings) or bread. Feel free to wash all this down with a cold Redstripe or coconut jelly.

  2. STEW PEAS ( STREW PEAS)

According to the Jamaican heritage Ackee and Saltfish is our National Dish but if you ask any Jamaican on a given day they will tell you that Stew Peas is their personal National Dish. As the name suggests this dish is prepared with a coconut milk based stew, getting its rich colour from the peas. Stew peas is extremely tantalizing and regularly mixed with a personal touch based on the eating habit of the person preparing the meal. As such meat such as Chicken feet, pig tail, cow head, mutton, beef or for vegetarians, corn, tofu or veggie chunks can be added to make the meal even more mouthwatering. Stew peas is usually creamy, this can be attributed to the small flour dumplings ( spinners) that is used to get the texture. The seasonings used to prepare this delectable meal will seduce your tastebuds with every bite.

   3. JAMAICAN CURRIED GOAT ( CURRY MUTTON)

I have to admit. I started to salivate while getting this picture. The tender tangy taste of the curried goat made with special Indian curry seasoned to perfection and cooked down with Irish potato and carrot. The golden colour dish is enjoyed with the Sunday traditional rice and peas but is just as good with white rice, roti or some good old banana and dumpling. Please note though, curry isn't curry without pepper. One big scotch bonnet pepper and you are good to go.


  4. ESCOVEITCH FISH AND BAMMY ( SWIMMERS AND BAMMY)

While there are several methods/recipe for creating escoveitched fish the one presented about is simply fried fish in escoveitch sauce with okra. The sauce is made from vinegar, peppers, pimento seeds, onions ( lots and lots of onion), carrot, sweet pepper among other additional ingredients. what this sauce does if give the fish an exotic taste. its saucy and tangy and has a very strong aroma but adds to the flavour of the meal. I guarantee you will be putting this sauce on other food once you have tried it. Bammy, can be either steamed or fried. No matter how it is prepared this cassava based cake is usually fresh but yummy. Prepared right and you will enjoy this experience every time.


   5. TIN MACKEREL AND WHITE RICE ( DASH UT AND WHITE RICE)

 While this is not your everyday meal as it is considered a dish for the financially crippled. This meal is a a popular one and enjoyed by families all over the country regardless of financial status. The mackerel can be found on any supermarket shelf and is sauteed in seasonings such as thyme, scallion, onions, pepper, sweet pepper and lots and lots of tomato. You would have to get a local to prepare this meal as it is not readily available at restaurants. Combined with white rice and some lemonade and your day will be made. the itis will be upon you.

6. TRIPE AND BEAN ( CHIPE AND BEAN)

It might be hard to even think about eating the insides of a cow but fear not because this dish is nothing less than mouthwatering. This meal is usually prepared by currying the intestines until it is soft and gummy then cooking it down with broad beans. If you are into trying new food then this is definitely the dish for you. You will be left dumbstruck upon realizing how good this dish is. Unlike the previously mentioned meal this dish can be found at selected restaurants island-wide.

   7. OXTAIL

If there is Heaven on Earth then this meal above was served there. This dish 'oxtail' is the most sought dish by migrants of the country. You might be a bit intimidated by the big bones but believe it or not that's actually the best part of the meat. Pressured to perfection and seasoned until soaked the oxtail is a tastebud banger. The meat falls right off the bone, blessing you with the softest, most palatable taste. The bones are so soft that you can chew it just like the meat. this is another dish that is prepared with broad beans, carrot and irish potato. Luckily, this dish is served by most restaurants around the island.

   8. LIVER AND KIDNEY ( LIVA)

This meal right here is the perfect way to start your day. Served with bananas, A Jamaican would have 10 - 15 well kneaded cornmeal dumplings hanging over the rim of the plate. Jamaican Beef liver/kidney is an appetizing meal that is simple and quick to prepare. It is also a good source of iron so ladies, do not hesitate to dig in. Best served with chocolate tea and if you are not a fan of boiled dumplings get a few fried ones.

SO COME ON DOWN MON!! and start experiencing the cuisine that will have you speaking the Jamaican dialect just so you can get your hands on a plate. '

'Grab a Red Stripe or a Heineken and touch the beach right afta yuh finish'

If you want me to blog about more Jamaican food you can leave a comment.