FIFA 20: Controls guide (Goalkeeper, Defence, Attack, Set Pieces & Volta) on PS4 & Xbox One

Published: Oct 23, 2019, 9:26 am Updated: Sep 28, 2020, 11:50 am

After FIFA controls experienced a massive overhaul for FIFA 19, EA have continued to add new elements in the latest instalment.

Never underestimate how useful it is to have a look through the controls (old and new) before starting your FIFA 20 journey, as you it could give you an upper hand over your opponents. Here at RealSport we’ve done all the hard work for you and have created a list of ALL the controls for FIFA 20.

FIFA 20 Movement Controls

Action	PS4 controls	Xbox One controls
Move player	Move L stick	Move L stick
Sprint	Hold R2	Hold RT
Change player (defence)	L1	LB
Change player (manual)	R stick	R stick
Shield ball (attack)/jockey or grab & hold (defence)/ jockey (ball in air)	Hold L2	Hold LT
First touch/knock-on (with ball)	R2 + move R stick	RT + move R stick
Skill moves (with ball)	R stick	R stick
Stop and face goal (with ball)	L1 + no direction	LB + no direction
Face up dribbling	L2 + R2	LT + RT
Stop ball	R2 + no direction	RT + no direction
No touch feints	R1 + L	RB + L
Call for teammate run	L1	LB
Call for support	R1	RB
Let ball run	R1 press and hold + L away from ball	RB press and hold + L away from ball
Slow dribble	L1 + L + direction	LB + L + direction
Disguised first touch	R1 press and hold + L towards ball	RB press and hold + L towards ball
NEW Slow Dribble	L2 + R2 + L direction	LT + RT + L direction
NEW Strafe Dribble	L1 + L direction	LB + L direction
NEW Strafe Dribble (lock face angle)	L1 + R1 + L direction	LB + RB + L direction

Older controls are still just as important in FIFA 20, with shielding the ball (hold L2/LT) being just as important as last year. Make sure you use this control whether attacking or defending as without it your opponent will have a massive advantage when tussling for the ball against you.

With slower gameplay and more calculated passes required in FIFA 20, calling for support (R1/RB) is more useful than ever, as you’re going to have to utilise every player on the pitch to master FIFA 20’s passing mechanics.

In addition, slower gameplay means you have more time on the ball when going forward. The new slow dribble (L2 + R2 + L direction/LT + RT + L direction) allows you to keep moving forward when in possession, whilst maintaining the time and space to pick out a perfect pass or show a quick change of pace.

FIFA 20’s second new dribbling feature is the strafe dribble (L1 + L/LB + L). This feature is fantastic as it allows you far more control when getting close to a defender, allowing for tight turning to keep the ball away from your opponent. If you use L1 + R1 + L/ LB + RB + L you’ll initiate a lock face angle, so you can ensure you’re still looking forward whilst trying to maintain possession.

Strafe Dribble

Press L1/LB and move the L stick in your direction of movement to keep possession in tight spaces, before finding the right ball.

FIFA 20 Attacking Controls

Action	PS4 controls	Xbox One controls
Ground pass/header	X	A
Lob pass/cross/header	▢	X
Through ball	△	Y
Shoot/volley/header	O	B
Timed finish	O + O (timed)	B + B (timed)
Chip shot	L1 + O	LB + B
Finesse shot	R1 + O	RB + B
Low shot/downward header	L1 + R1 + O	LB + RB + B
Fake shot/pass	O/X then X + L direction	B/X then A + L direction
Threaded through ball	R1 + △	RB + Y
Chipped through ball	L1 + △	LB + Y
Driven lob pass/cross	R1 + ▢	RB + X
High lob/cross	L1 + ▢	LB + X
Low cross	▢ + ▢	X + X
Scoop lob	L2 + ▢	LT + X
Dummy a pass	Press and hold R1	Press and hold RB
Cancel action	L2 + R2	LT + RT
Flair pass	L2 + X	LT + A
Flair shot	L2 + O	LT + B
Driven ground pass	R1 + X	RB + A
Manual ground pass	L1+ R1 + X	LB + RB + A
Flick up for volley	Click R3	Click R stick
NEW Lofted Ground Pass	Double tap X	Double tap A
NEW Lofted Ground Through Pass	Double tap △	Double tap Y
NEW Driven Lobbed Through Pass	L1 + R1 + △	LB + RB + Y

Shooting controls in FIFA 20 are unchanged, however be wary that timed shooting (O + O timed/ B + B timed) has been altered. EA have reduced the frames in which you can perform a perfect shot from 4 frames to 2 frames, meaning it is more difficult to execute.

New additions of lofted ground pass (Double tap X/A) and lofted ground through pass (Double tap △/Y) are useful when trying to reach a teammate over an opponent’s attempted block, as the lofted ball is carried over any bodies or limbs.

Driven lobbed through pass (L1 + R1 + △/LB + RB + Y) is another valuable addition to passing controls, as it allows you to quickly release an advanced player, rifling a lobbed through ball down the pitch. This type of ball is particularly effective in a counter attack scenario when your pacey attackers can get in behind an advanced defence.

Lofted Ground Through Pass

Double tap △/Y to loft your through pass slightly, helping you find any advanced runners.

FIFA 20 Defensive Controls

Action	PS4 controls	Xbox One controls
Tackle/push or pull (when chasing)	O	B
Slide tackle	▢	X
Quick get up (after slide tackle)	▢	X
Clearance (with ball)	O	B
Contain/press	Hold X	Hold A
Teammate contain/press	Hold R1	Hold RB
Jockey	Hold L2	Hold LT
Running jockey	Hold both L2 + R2	Hold both LT + RT
Pull and hold (when chasing)	Press and hold O	Press and hold B
Engage shielding opponent	L2 + L towards shielding dribbler	LT + L towards shielding dribbler
Rush goalkeeper out	Press and hold △	Press and hold Y
Move goalkeeper	Click and hold R3 + move R	Click and hold R stick + move R
GK cover far post	Click and hold R3	Click and hold R stick
Switch to GK	Press Touch pad	Press View button
NEW Goalkeeper Cross Interceptions	△+ △ (hold)	Y + Y (hold)
NEW Engage Shielding Opponent	L2 + L towards shielding opponent	LT + L towards shielding opponent
NEW Hard Tackle	O (hold)	B ( hold)

With the introduction of manual defending, defence has faced a complete overhaul in FIFA 20. As a result, there are specific FIFA 19 controls that will become more useful when trying to get the hang of FIFA 20’s defensive mechanics.

Primarily, manual player switching (R stick) counteracts the lack of teammate containment compared to FIFA 19. This gameplay feature allows you to select a defender with speed and precision for manual containment of opposition players.

Jockeying is another useful tool in manual defending. Jockey (L2/LT) an opponent to stay close to them and keep them under control until the opportune moment to tackle. Running Jockey (R2 + L2) allows you to keep up with sprinting attackers.

Tackling controls are the same as FIFA 19, with the addition of hard tackles (O/B hold). The hard tackle is most effective when there’s a gap between you and an attacker, allowing you to lunge towards the ball with speed to win back possession from an unsuspecting opponent.

New Goalkeeper cross interception (△+ △ hold/ Y + Y hold) allows you to read an opponent’s attacking intention and proactively command your keeper to leave his goal and compete for an incoming cross. Rather than running towards the ball, your goalie will look to run in to the line of the incoming ball.

Running Jockey

Holding both L2/LT and R2/RT will allow you to perform a running jockey, keeping faster attackers contained before the opportune moment to tackle.

FIFA 20 Goalkeeper Controls (with ball)

Action	PS4 controls	Xbox One controls
Drop kick	O/▢	B/X
Throw/pass	X	A
Drop ball	△	Y
Pick up ball	R1	RB
Driven throw	R1 + X	RB + A
Driven kick	R1 + ▢	RB + X
NEW Cross Interception	△ + △ (hold)	Y + Y (hold)

You should be familiar with all the goalkeeper controls for when they have the ball. Goalkeeper controls are the same as last year, with both the driven throw (R1 + X/RB + A) and driven kick (R1 + ▢/RB + X) enabling you to start counter-attacks quickly. Use with caution as you risk throwing possession away, but it’s worth it if you get the ball wide and run at the defence.

Set Pieces

In tight games, set pieces can be the key. If you master how to execute them, they may be the difference between winning and losing.

Free Kicks

Action	PS4 controls	Xbox One controls
Adjust run up	R stick	R stick
Aim	L stick	L stick
Select kick taker	Hold R2	Hold RT
Call 2nd kick taker	L2	LT
Call 3rd kick taker	R1	RB
2nd/3rd kick taker curled shot	L2/R1 + O	LT/RB + B
2nd kick taker layoff pass	L2 + X	LT + A
2nd kick taker layoff chip	L2 + ▢	LT + X
2nd/3rd kick taker run over ball	L2/R1 + O then X	LT/RB + B then A
Ground pass	X	A
High pass/cross	▢	X
Driven shot	L1 + O	LB + B
Apply shot power	Hold O	Hold B
Wall jump (defence)	△	Y
Wall charge (defence)	X	A
Move wall (defence)	L2/R2	LT/RT
Wall creep (defence)	R1	RB
Move goalkeeper (defence)	▢/O	X/B
Switch to receiver	L1	LB
NEW Time Your Shot	O + O (timed)	B + B (timed)
NEW Apply Curl During Run Up	R	R

Free kicks have been completely revamped in FIFA 20, with a new aiming circle being introduced. Direct free kicks are taken by aiming (R stick) and shooting (O/B) to lock in your aim, and then applying curl during the run up (R stick).

Timed shooting (O+O timed/ B+B timed) can also now be used when shooting from free kicks.

Free Kick with Top Spin

Aiming above the goal (L stick) and applying top spin (R stick) will give you a better chance of netting from a direct free kick.

Indirect free kicks are much the same as FIFA 19 with a small yellow aiming circle displaying where you are aiming before you cross (▢/X).

Penalties

Action	PS4 controls	Xbox One controls
Aim	L stick	L stick
Adjust run up	Move R stick	Move R stick
Select kick taker	Hold R2	Hold RT
Shoot	O	B
Stutter	L2	LT
Sprint	R2	RT
Apply shot power	Hold O	Hold B
Finesse shot	R1 + O	RB +B
Chip shot	L1 + O	LB + B
Aim indicator on/off	D-pad up	D-pad up
Goalkeeper move side to side (defence)	L + direction	L + direction
Goalkeeper dive (defence)	R + direction	R + direction
Goalkeeper gestures (defence)	X/O/▢/△	A/B/X/Y

Similarly to free kicks, penalties in FIFA 20 also include the introduction of the new aiming circle when deciding where to place your shot. Other than the new aiming system, penalty controls are unchanged from last year.

New Penalty Mechanic

The new penalty mechanic requires you to aim (L stick) before powering up your shot (O/B) and then holding your aim in place until your player shoots.

Corners

Action	PS4 controls	Xbox One controls
Aim kick	L stick	L stick
Lob cross	▢	X
Pass	X	A
Apply kick power	Hold ▢	Hold X
Aim indicator on/off	D-pad up	D-pad up
Display corner tactics	D-pad down	D-pad down
Run far post	D-pad down then up	D-pad down then up
Edge of box run	D-pad down then right	D-pad down then right
Crowd the goalkeepers	D-pad down then left	D-pad down then left
Run near post	D-pad down then down	D-pad down then down

Corners are unchanged from FIFA 19, so make sure you know which moves work. The run near post (D-pad down then down) is still ultra-effective, with a ball with two-and-a-half bars of power to the near stick often resulting in a free header.

Run Near Post Corner

Push down twice on the D-pad to select the run near post corner tactic, then whip the ball in to your runner.

Throw ins

Action	PS4 controls	Xbox One controls
Move along line	Move L stick	Move L stick
Short throw in	X	A
Short throw in (manual)	△	Y
Long throw in	▢/press + hold X	X/press + hold A
Fake throw	▢ + X or X + ▢	X then A or A then X
Switch to receiver	R stick	R stick

Not much needs to be said for throw ins, but try to take them as quickly as possible. A quick pass back to the thrower will ensure you keep possession, but if the opportunity isn’t there use the switch to receiver action (L1/LB) to move away from the defender.

Switch to Receiver

Flick the R stick to the player you want to control and then tap X/A when you want to make the throw.

Tactics

Action	PS4 controls	Xbox One controls
Quick substitutes	Hold R2 then X	Hold RT then A
Display attacking tactics	D-pad up	D-pad up
Get in the box	D-pad up then up	D-pad up then up
Attacking full backs	D-pad up then right	D-pad up then right
Hug sideline	D-pad up then left	D-pad up then left
Extra striker	D-pad up then down	D-pad up then down
Display defending tactics	D-pad down	D-pad down
Striker drop back	D-pad down then up	D-pad down then up
Team press	D-pad down then right	D-pad down then right
Overload ball side	D-pad down then left	D-pad down then left
Offside trap	D-pad down then down	D-pad down then down

Tactics had a huge overhaul for FIFA 19 and remain unchanged in FIFA 20, so make sure you are clued up on what each of the tools do. If you find yourself lacking width, you can get your wide men to "hug the sideline" (D-pad up then left), allowing you to get around the back of your opponents.

Need a goal? Try the "extra striker" (D-pad up then down) tactic to get an extra body in the box, whilst "get into the box" (D-pad up then up) will flood the area with your midfielders.

Defensively, you can get the "striker to drop back" (D-pad down then up) to tighten up your midfield. If you want to close your opponents down, use "team press" (D-pad down then right) with "overload ball side" (D-pad down then left) to smother your opponents on the flank.

Get in the Box Tactic

Flood the area with your midfielders by selecting the "get into the box" tactic (D-pad up then up)

Volta Specific Controls

Action	PS4 controls	Xbox One controls
Simple Skill Moves	L2 + R2 + L direction	LT + RT + L direction
Simple Flicks	Click R3 + L Direction	Click right stick + L Direction
Taunts	Stand by ball + L1 or R2	Stand by ball + LB or RT
Hard Tackle	▢	X

These additional controls can only be used in VOLTA, FIFA 20’s new street football game mode.

Simplified skill moves (L2+R2 + L direction/ LT+RT + L direction) allows you to beat a defender with a random skill without having to learn a specific move. This adds to the arcade-style feel of VOLTA and is handy when you have to act fast.

Simple flicks (Click R3 + L Direction/ Click right stick + L Direction) are helpful in getting past a defender in a confined space, whilst hard tackles (▢/X) allow you to lunge towards an opponent and dispossess them.

VOLTA mode also has taunts (Stand by ball + L1/B or R2/RT). These don’t offer any tactical advantage, but who doesn’t love a bit of showboating?

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