Top 5 Most Useful Skill Moves in FIFA 13

FIFA 13 is EA Sports’ latest installment in their football (or soccer, as it’s known in the US) series of video games. FIFA games are consistently one of the most popular video games around the world, and each new iteration brings with it a slew of changes and tweaks to the core gameplay. If you haven’t read it already, be sure to check out the Official FIFA 13 Review. With players all around the world vying to be the best, it takes adept knowledge of every aspect of the game to come out on top in online matches. While FIFA 13 arguably makes skill moves less of a necessity with their new Complete Dribbling feature, skill moves are still an important part of FIFA’s gameplay and can be potent when used in appropriate situations (not to mention that they add a distinct flair to one’s game!). Here are the top 5 (in this writer’s opinion) most useful skill moves in FIFA 13:

Note: All controls are in the POV of the player, NOT the camera. So if your player is facing right, “up” would really mean to press “right” on the controller. Also, PS3 users should substitute the following controls:
LT = L2
RT = R2
X = Square
A = Cross

5. Bergkamp Flick [1* Skill Move]

How to perform it: When receiving a lob or throw-in, flick the right stick in the direction of a defender that is directly behind your player.

Why it’s useful: To be honest, the Bergkamp Flick is really not useful in most situations, and it requires a player with fast acceleration, agility, and balance for maximum effectiveness. Done correctly, it can easily catch the opponent off guard, as it’s not a move that’s seen very often in online matches. When it comes off, the Bergkamp Flick gets your player easily past one defender and can cause your opponent’s other players to be pulled out of their positions to defend your suddenly unmarked player.
Rating: 3/10

4. Heel Chop [4* Skill Move]

How to perform it: While holding LT, flick the right stick down-right twice to chop right or left-right twice to chop left. Can also be done by holding LT, pressing X then A in quick succession, and moving the left stick right to chop right or left to chop left.

Why it’s useful: The infamous “Ronaldo Chop” is not only extremely flashy, but pretty useful as well. Use it to cut inside to the middle while an opponent is running alongside you or when an opponent looks like he is going to hold his ground and go for the tackle. The heel chop maintains much of your player’s momentum, allowing him to keep moving forward at speed while changing his lateral position to get past an opponent.
Rating: 6/10

3. Stepover + Exit [2* Skill Move]

How to perform it: While holding LT, move the right stick in a quarter-circle from up to right to stepover with right leg or from up to left to stepover with left leg, then move the left stick in the direction you wish to exit the stepover. The stepover can also be done by holding LT and flicking the right stick right then up or left then up.

Why it’s useful: The stepover’s main strength comes from its ability to psych out defenders. Having your player’s legs swirl around the ball makes it more difficult for the defender to guess which direction he’s going to go in; while the exit from the stepover may not create as much space as other skill moves, it can fairly consistently give players that little bit of extra space to get a better shot or pass off. With proper timing, this move is especially lethal when used in 1-on-1 situations against an opponent’s goalkeeper.
Rating: 7/10

2. Roulette Spin [3* Skill Move]

How to perform it: While holding LT, move the right stick from down, right, up, left in a three-quarters-circle movement to spin counterclockwise (CCW) or down, left, up, right in a three-quarters-circle movement to spin clockwise (CW).

Why it’s useful: Many of you may disagree with me on this one, but it’s probably because we’ve all come across wannabe skillers who randomly throw out this skill move (it’s one of the easiest to do consistently once you get the hang of it) just because they can. The secret to this move’s effectiveness is in timing. The roulette spin is best used when an incoming defender is running over to challenge your player, as it gives the defender very little time to react once the move is finished. For defenders that are coming to your player’s left, perform a CCW roulette spin, and for defenders coming to your player’s right, perform a CW roulette spin. Do it correctly, and your player will be easily beyond his defender.
Rating: 8/10

1. Stop and Turn (aka “McGeady Spin”) [5* Skill Move]

How to perform it: While holding LT, flick the right stick up then right to spin right or up then left to spin left.

Why it’s useful: Yes, there’s a 4* skill move version. No, it’s not anywhere near as good as the 5* version. The McGeady Spin… there’s nothing quite like it when it comes to humiliating your opponent in his box. This move is best used when running along the wings with a defender closely marking your player (which is pretty common in a lot of games), as it allows your player to quickly cut into the middle and set up an uncontested cross or shot. Smart opponents likely won’t fall for it twice, but once performed it forces them to keep their distance due to the threat of a lethal McGeady Spin coming off. Done correctly it almost guarantees you at least one goal per match. It’s quick, sharp, and opens up tons of scoring opportunities, and that’s why it takes the #1 spot in my book.
Rating: 9/10

So there you have it; that was my list of the top 5 most useful skill moves in FIFA 13. What do you guys think are the most skill moves in FIFA? Leave a comment below!