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 |
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.
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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 |
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.
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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 |
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.
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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.
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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.
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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 |
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.
READ MORE: How to score free kicks on FIFA 20 with new mechanics
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 |
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 |
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.
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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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