FIFA 12 Dribbling Tips

by Tarik on November 9, 2011

FIFA 12 Precision DribblingHey again!

This post is going to cover Dribbling in the Penalty Box Tips to help you score more goals and kick some ass!

In a previous post on short range dribbling tips, I came across a great question from a loyal reader named Jerry:

any advice on how to dribble in the penalty box? I always try to use L1, but maybe I should master elastico chop or something.

This is a great question and I can think of 5 super easy tips to help you dribble better in the penalty box.

Tip #1 – Use Pace Control

Pace control helps you slow down while in the box and keeps the ball closer. You can also spin around defenders or back up out of trouble easier.

  • Xbox 360 – Hold LT
  • PS3 – Hold L2

Tip #2 – Enter the Box on the Right or Left Wing

A great example of dribbling into the box via the right wing was posted by my buddy Danny on his website, FIFAMonster.com. Basically, you will only have to deal with 1 to 2 defenders thay way.

If you enter through the middle, you have both center backs as well as midfielders giving you problems. FIFA 12 is notorious for glitches & more defenders = more problems.

Tip #3 – Dribble with the Highest Rated Players

Call me a noob. Call me lazy. Either way, the top rated players are better dribblers because EA Sports jacks up their player ratings.

Have you ever tried dribbling with Ronaldo, Kaka, Ronaldihno, Xavi, or Nasri on FIFA 12? It’s a work of art.

When I play with DC United, I feel like pulling my hair out because the dribbling quality is SOOO low. LOL.

Browse the La Liga and Premier League Players Ratings to find players that dominate the dribble.

Tip #4 – The Ball Stop

My #1 favorite move for FIFA 12 is the simple ball stop. You press LB on Xbox 360 or L1 on PS3 to initiate this move.

Your player will stop the ball with his nearest foot and sometimes you can beat a defender who is holding down the sprint button.

Simple yet effective.

Tip # 5- Use the Chop

The chop is trademarked by Ronaldo in FIFA 12. You cut the ball behind your body to fool your opponent. There’s also a slight variation called the elastico chop.

  • Xbox 360 – Flick the RS down then right/left twice
  • PS3 – Flick the RS down then right/left twice

Tip #6 – Use the Ball Roll

The ball roll is a simple move to use when your defender lunges at you. Imagine attacking in the box and your defender tackles you? You could attempt a wild skill move, which increases your chance of losing the ball. Keep the ball close and a simple roll may do the trick.

Controls

  • Xbox 360 – Hold RS to the Left/Right
  • PS3 – Hold RS to the Left/Right

Tip #7 – Stepovers

My #2 favorite Brazilian player of all time, Robinho, shows us how stepovers are done.

The key to stepovers is pace and deception. Your opponent reacts to each stepover, so you can fake him out easily.

Many FIFA gamers HATE stepovers with a passion. They think you are showing off. Often, they slide tackle you to show their frustration. You can earn A LOT of penalties this way.

Controls

  • Xbox 360 – Hold RS Up then roll to the right/left
  • PS3 – Hold RS Up then roll to the right/left

Tip #8 – Learn All the new FIFA 12 Dribbling Skills

Watch the following videos that go into more of the skills you can use in the penalty box:

FIFA 12 Precision Dribbling Skills

FIFA 12 Dribbling Tutorial featuring Lionel Messi

When you’re done watching these 2 videos, check out the official FIFA 12 New Skill Moves video as well. Many of these skills work well in the box.

Group Discussion

Now it’s your turn to voice your opinion on dribbling in the box.

  • What tactics did I forget?
  • Which strategies work well for you?
  • What is your #1 tip for dribbling in the penalty box around defenders?
Leave your thoughts in the comments! Thanks :)

Related posts:

  • antonio smth

    How do I play a better defense what buttons do I hold down and how do i sandwich strikers. Please HELP!!!

    • Tarik

      Working on a defense post soon.

      • Mikkel

        When are you finished with your defense post?

      • John

        Tarik thanks for this site. Some people will hate but most of us appreciate it. I am just getting into soccer and so i am very raw. I just started watching it and playing Fifa. This site helps with the nuances of the game for people like me. I can dominate in Madden or NBA2k because i have grown up watching these sports and know the game inside and out. So thanks for ur hard work on this site.

        • Tarik Pierce

          Thanks John. I played NBA 2k8 like no other. Is NBA 2k12 any good? FIFA takes a while to get good at because most peeps have been playing for years. Are you on Xbox?

    • Fraz

      With the defender which you are controlling, switch between jockey and running press, and if it’s a dangerous attack which you cannot defend on your own or you’re the last man, press 2nd man pressing.

      If you do 2nd man pressing early on for example you’re getting attacked from the middle, the defensive midfielder will run back to tackle and you won’t even need to go up with your defender.

      Never tackle early with a defender unless the attacker is near the box and run with the attacker, not towards.

      Hope this helped and made sense, LOL! :)

  • Hyrule

    Wow, these tips are SOOO Bad & Outdated XD

    • Tarik

      I provide strategies, not gimmicks. They work and continue to win games for me.

    • Kev

      I actually agree to that…..most of this tips seem like kind of common sense tips, maybe the only tips that could be considered helpfull is the pace control, the roll and the stop but in the end those are kinda predictable too….. but I guess there isnt much you can do in the penalty box more than dribble or wait for the defender to go tackle and move around and such……but what im surely annoyed and tired of is when im about to shoot and the defender takes the ball away from me when im winding up the shot….god im tired of it

      • Fraz

        These are the reasons I don’t go into the penalty box much, unless from corners or through balls, I keep possession and make open spaces for long shots. Works very very good with Tottenham and AC Milan, you need to be really good at keeping possession though.

  • Hyrule

    Also, dude learn to SPELL

    So many mistakes in this article >_<

    • Tarik

      Mistakes fixed.

  • jonnycupc

    Wow. These are some terrible tips. If you are looking for the premium stuff, check out what the pros made over at fifa12strategydotcom/. Enough said.

    • bob

      At least his is free for the most part

    • Tarik

      Cool site. FIFtips is a true brand. Not some crappy fifa trademarked domain :)

  • matt

    how to beat defenders who are jockeying ? come across this so much cant penetrate defense

    • Tarik

      Working on this post right now.

  • http://www.blogster.com/hugofigueroakiru/methods-to-receive-no-cost-traffic-with-e-book-marketing Riva Mayorca

    Hey there, I feel your website might be having web browser compatibility problems. When I look at your website in Safari, it is visually good but when opening in Internet Explorer, it’s got some overlapping. I simply want to provide you with a quick heads up! Other than that, wonderful blog!

    • Tarik

      What version of IE are you using? It looks okay on my end.

  • Pete

    Thanks for all the effort you put into this. Unlike some haters, I appreciate your efforts.

    • Tarik

      Thanks Pete. I’ve got some more surprises next week too!

  • http://fifafifa.ru IBNN

    Hi, Tarik.
    My name is Ilya, nick in Origin: IBNN.
    I have my own site http://www.fifafifa.ru There are a lot of articles about tactic, strategy and psychology in FIFA wrote by me. I suppose, this could be interesting for your readers.
    If you would like to collaborate, please, send me an email. We’ll discuss it.
    Thx in advance and good luck!

  • Sutty68

    Why do my defenders go missing when my opponent attacks, even though i am supposed to have four in defence and two defending midfielders?

    • Tarik

      Are you chasing from behind? Use the defender nearest to the goal to defend.

      Also, call a 2nd defender as well.

    • Diesel

      if u mount an attack with those defenders/midfielders, they wont come back as quickly, depending on their work rates/speed ratings. To help this problem, remember the names of those defencemen and dont let them pass midfield with possession, and dont use lb/a passing with them. that way, they stay back. ive beaten world class arsenal with bradford city + my virtual pro a few times cuz i never attacked with my defenders.

      also, try to use the defensive tactic by pressing dpad right or left (cant remember which one it is) to keep ur players back

  • Alex

    Thank you for these tips! I was really having some issues actually scoring, my buildup play is good but i sort of just passed it around in the area. Thanks for these tips and hopefully more will come soon?

    • Tarik

      Yes. I am editing a dribbling guide plus my buds have a few more tutorials in the works. Thanks for your support!

  • Will

    Thanks for the tips I read your stuff all the time and it really helps me :)
    Any tips on who to buy for career mode? Young players that get better really quick. Cheep players that change games. Old players that are a credit to the team?
    Would help a lot :) Thanks

  • Pingback: FIFA 12 Dribbling Tips and Tricks Guide

  • john

    so i have trouble in front of the goal box… i tend to lose the ball when the players push with 0 or B button in xbox any suggestions??

    • Tarik

      1. Try shielding – hold RT to turn your back to the player.
      2. 1-2 Pass – Press LB + A when the defender comes. Sometimes you can pass around a tackle.
      3. Shoot earlier – Make you are trying to get to close to the goal?

  • dongfox2

    Hi Tarik,
    why every time i shoot in the box , all ball will fly up intiosky ? did i press the wrong button ?
    sorry for my bad english.

    • Tarik

      Fly into the sky LOL.

      The power bar determines how high and hard the shot will go.

      Short distance – fill it up no more than 1/2 way.

      Long Distance (more than 30 yards) – Fill it up no more than 2/3.

  • Pavel Sanchez

    Sup Tarik, just wanted to ask 2 questions. First don’t you need 5-star players like ronaldinho,ronaldo etc. to do moves like the step-over? 2. Is that you on a video saying Messi sucks and is overrated on Youtube

    • Tarik

      1. Nope. Stepover is a basic 2 star move.
      2. Yes but I deleted the videos. They were crap. Messi sucks on FIFA 12 but that is because I do not know how to use him. He is a beast playmaker. Ronaldo is better for long bombing runs in FIFA 12.

  • nithin

    hey dude help me out in these following things..
    1) how to cross perfectly ,i mean a pin point cross …. wiil it be effective if i cross by holding the switch player button .sometimes it will be effective . am i correct??
    2) how to make a perfect header ( dont simply say timing is required)
    3) i play a lot of 1-2-1 passes and like dribbling a lot ( just lane changings) and which team does really suit me …?

  • Maleek

    Thanks for your help, I’ve taken alot of your tips on board from this and the “FIFA 12 Dribbling Tips and Tricks Guide” post, it’s much appreciated. I particularly love the ball stop, it seems to always take people by suprise :) .

    Do you have any tips on doing the step-overs?. Because every time i try to do more than one, I end up doing a completely different type of skill move.

  • Joao Paulo

    Good post!

    • Tarik

      Thanx!

  • Ayan

    whats the trick to guess a penalty ???

  • Mikkel

    When are you ready with a defense post?

  • http://fifa13 bibboy

    helllo

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