Everyone knows how to sprint down the wing or press the tackle button. But the real magic in EA FC 26, the stuff that separates a good player from a great one, lives in the subtle, often overlooked mechanics. These are the little tricks that make your playstyle unpredictable and break down stubborn defenses.
Let’s dive into some of the most effective hidden gems for passing, shooting, and dribbling that you won’t find in the basic tutorial screens.
Passing: The Art of Deception
Forget just using X and Triangle. To truly control the midfield, you need to master these passes.
The Driven Lobbed Through Ball (L1 + R1 + Triangle)
What it is: This is your secret weapon against players who constantly press with their defenders. It’s a low, powerful, lofted pass that travels quickly over a medium distance, landing perfectly at your striker’s feet before the defender can react.
When to use it: Perfect for picking out a runner between the opposition’s defensive and midfield lines. It’s much harder to intercept than a standard through ball and arrives faster than a regular lob.
Pro Tip: Use this when you see your opponent manually dragging a centre-back out of position. The pass will zip into the space they just left.
The Trivela Pass (Outside of the Foot)
What it is: While everyone marvels at the Trivela shot, the pass is just as important. Players with the “Trivela” Trait will often use the outside of their foot to play a ground pass or through ball that curves around a pressing defender.
When to use it: When a defender is directly in the passing lane, a standard pass would be blocked. The Trivela pass will bend around them, maintaining your attacking momentum.
Pro Tip: Look for players like Kevin De Bruyne or Bernardo Silva in your midfield. Their passing animations and traits make this happen more frequently.
Shooting: Finishing When It Matters
Power shots and finesse shots are well-known. Here’s how to score the goals your opponents don’t see coming.
The Low Driven Shot (Tap Shoot Button, then tap again quickly)
What it is: A hard, ground-level shot that skims the surface. It’s making a huge comeback in FC 26 because goalkeepers are notoriously strong against shots at mid-height.
When to use it: In any 1-on-1 situation, especially when the keeper is charging out. It’s also deadly in crowded penalty boxes, as it squeezes through legs and is incredibly difficult for keepers to get down to.
Pro Tip: Don’t blast it. A slightly softer, well-placed low driven shot into the corner is more effective than a powered-up one straight at the keeper.
The Heel-to-Heel Shot Cancel
What it is: Start a Heel-to-Heel skill move (flick the right stick forward then backward), but immediately cancel it with L2/R2. Your player will do a tiny, sharp hop to the side.
When to use it: Use this in the box to create a tiny yard of space. The sudden, jerky movement is often enough to throw off a defender’s timing, allowing you to get a clean shot off with your strong foot. It’s more unpredictable than a simple ball roll.
Dribbling: The Subtle Touch
You don’t need 5-star skills to be an elite dribbler. Control and unpredictability are key.
The R1/RB Dribbling Stance
What it is: Holding R1/RB puts your player into a controlled dribbling stance. The real hidden trick? The speed at which you move the left stick matters. Tiny, subtle movements create tight turns, while bigger pushes create sharper exits.
When to use it: In tight spaces in the final third, like at the top of the box. This stance allows you to probe the defense, wait for a gap to open, and then explode into it. It’s perfect for “walking” the ball onto your strong foot for a finesse shot.
Pro Tip: Combine this with the Bridge Skill Move (L1/LB + R1/RB + right stick forward) for a devastatingly quick burst out of the stance.
The No-Touch Dribbling Feint (L1/LB)
What it is: Tapping L1/LB without any direction makes your player perform a small, deceptive body feint. It’s a tiny animation that can cause your opponent to lunge into a tackle.
When to use it: When you’re receiving the ball with a defender on your back. A quick tap of L1/LB as the ball arrives can make the defender commit, allowing you to turn away into the space they just left. It’s a game-changer for target men and wingers alike.
Mastering these techniques takes practice, but they add layers to your game that are hard to defend against. The best part? You don’t always need the most expensive meta player to use them—you just need the knowledge and the confidence to try.
Of course, having a squad of responsive, high-quality players with great passing and dribbling stats makes pulling off these tricks infinitely smoother. If you’re looking to build a team that can truly execute this level of play, ensuring you have the FC 26 Coins to acquire the right talent is the first step on that journey.
Get into the practice arena, try these out