With dazzling goals, tricky passing and mesmerizing footwork, it's no surprise soccer has been dubbed "the beautiful game."
Everyday, players from Europe, South America and the rest of the world use their brilliant skills to thrill crowds, entertaining us with plays that amaze even veterans of the sport. With every match comes the possibility of something spectacular and the best players on earth rarely disappoint. But often lost within the highlight-reel goals and incredible feats of athleticism are the fundamentals of soccer... the basics that coaches preach from childhood to the pros.
These fundamentals might get buried beneath all the flash and glamor of professional soccer, but squads are often successful by doing the little things right.
The same can be said about FIFA 10 gamers, where the basics are often ignored. Look, I get it: Playing fundamental soccer doesn't hold the same appeal as going all out for goals or beating defenders with crazy dribbling moves. But if winning is your thing, simple soccer is the way to go.
The fact is, many, many goals are the direct result of mistakes by the defending team. It's a game of possession and field position, but scoring can be hard to come by. With that in mind, defensive breakdowns can be killer mistakes, often ending with the ball in the back of the net. Going a step further, most of the these mistakes are giveaways by the defense, trying to make a play that simply isn't there. To be successful in FIFA 10, these must be avoided.
For example, many defenders try heading the ball towards teammates within their own box. It's a natural play to make, in hopes of starting a quick counter-attack. And it can be an effective way to regain possession after a run by the opposition. There is often enough room and enough time to make that play happen, but here's the point: You might be successful 9 out of 10 times, or even 14 out of 15. But the first time you accidentally head the ball to an opposing player, it'll be in your net before you can blink.
Remember, this isn't basketball, football, baseball or hockey. In those sports, teams can fight back from deficits. In soccer, one-goal leads are huge and mistakes on the defensive side of the field can be devastating. With that in mind, avoid difficult passes in your own box. Leave the pass button alone and clear the ball as far away from your goal as possible - who cares if it looks good? It'll be safe and effective.
But you shouldn't just play this way with balls in the air. Avoid standard passes through your own box, even with comfortable possession, and don't try to do too much under pressure in your own end. If you find yourself coverd by the defense with nowhere to go, boot the ball as far as it'll go, either down the field or into the crowd. Again, nothing stings more than a costly turnover, so make the smart play. No, you won't impress anyone with your footwork or precision passing, but you'll give yourself a better chance to win. And winning is impressive in itself.
This is all stuff that soccer coaches teach five-year olds during their first years of the game, and it's just as important at the pro level. By cutting down on the potential for turnovers, you eliminate many of the mistakes that often wind up as goals. There will be plenty of opportunities for fancy soccer in the opposing box, but playing ugly is usually the best defensive system.
So... is going for the spectacular play your style, or do we agree on playing ugly? I've played enough FIFA 10 to see that many people disagree, and that's cool. Simply drop a line in the comments section below and share your thoughts on FIFA strategy. When you're done, head to our gaming arenas to challenge the rest of Rivalspot's community at matches of FIFA, NBA Live, Madden and more. Help us build our community and prove your skills on the pitch!