Before you can score world-class goals, you need to know how to move. In EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile, your primary controls are a virtual stick on the left and a set of action buttons on the right. The virtual stick controls your selected player's movement. It’s intuitive: slide your thumb in the direction you want to go, and your player follows.

On the right, you'll find buttons for key actions. These buttons change depending on whether you have the ball (attacking) or not (defending).

When Attacking:

• Pass: Tap to pass to a teammate. Hold and aim to direct it.
• Shoot: Tap to take a shot on goal. The longer you hold, the more powerful the shot.
• Through: Use this for a through pass, which sends the ball into open space ahead of a running teammate.
• Sprint & Skill: Hold this down to make your player run faster. Tapping it performs a special skill move to beat a defender.

When Defending:

• Switch: Tap to change the player you're controlling.
• Sprint & Tackle: Hold to sprint. When near an opponent with the ball, tapping it will perform a standing tackle.
• Slide: This performs a slide tackle, a riskier move that can win the ball but might result in a foul if timed poorly.

EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile offers different ways to play, but two core modes stand out for competitive matches: VS Attack and Head-to-Head.

Head-to-Head is the classic football experience. You play a full, real-time match against another player. You control your entire team, managing both defense and offense from kickoff to the final whistle. This mode is more strategic and requires a balanced approach to both sides of the ball.

Scoring goals is the name of the game. Here are a few simple strategies to get you started on offense.

First, learn to control your pace. While it’s tempting to hold the sprint button down all the time, this can make your player's movements less precise and easier for defenders to read. Use sprinting for bursting into open space, not for dribbling in tight quarters.

Next, make the through pass your best friend. A well-timed through pass sends the ball ahead of your attacker, allowing them to run onto it and get behind the defensive line. Look for forwards making runs and lead them into space.

Finally, when you shoot, aim carefully. Don't just tap the shoot button. You can swipe on the button to apply curve to your shot, helping you bend it around the goalkeeper. Aim for the corners of the goal, as these are the hardest spots for a keeper to reach.

A strong defense wins championships. Preventing goals is just as important as scoring them.

The most common defensive mistake is rushing the attacker. Instead of charging directly at the player with the ball, try to contain them. Use the virtual stick to position your defender between the attacker and your goal, cutting off their path. Wait for them to make a mistake or a heavy touch, then use the tackle button.

Don't be afraid to use the second defender press. By holding down a button, you can call a nearby AI-controlled teammate to help apply pressure. This can force the attacker into a mistake, but be careful not to pull a player out of position and leave a gap in your defense.

Lastly, use slide tackles sparingly. They are powerful but risky. A poorly timed slide tackle will miss the ball, take your defender out of the play, and likely result in a foul. Save them for last-ditch situations when you're sure you can win the ball.

With these basics in hand, you're ready to start building your skills. Now, let's see what you've learned.