20 Best FIFA 18 Skill Moves That You Must Master

FIFA 18 stands as one of the most globally celebrated football simulation games, with each annual release from EA Sports introducing innovative gameplay mechanics and technical moves. While we previously explored FIFA 18’s signature El Tornado technique, mastering a single move won’t elevate your gameplay to competitive levels. To transform into an elite virtual footballer, you need a diverse arsenal of skill moves ready for deployment. This comprehensive guide covers 20 essential FIFA 18 skill moves and tricks that will significantly enhance your offensive capabilities and overall match performance.

Important Note: These skill demonstrations were performed using FIFA 18 on PS4 Pro, though the techniques apply across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC platforms. Each move requires a minimum skill rating—check any player’s capabilities by accessing their bio screen before attempting advanced maneuvers.

Minimum Requirement: 1-Star Skill Move Rating

The Fake Shot represents one of the most fundamental yet highly effective deceptive moves in your arsenal. This technique involves initiating a shooting animation while quickly canceling to maintain ball possession. Perfect for creating separation from defenders in tight spaces, the move works by pressing the shoot button followed immediately by the pass button. Common mistake: releasing buttons too slowly, which results in an actual shot instead of the fake.

Minimum Requirement: 1-Star Skill Move Rating

Named after Dutch legend Johan Cruyff, this variation of the standard fake shot enables you to drag the ball backward with the inside of your foot. The move not only deceives opponents but maintains ball momentum for quick transitions. Execute by performing a fake shot while moving the left stick in the opposite direction of your player’s facing. Pro tip: use when defenders approach from your side rather than directly in front.

Minimum Requirement: 2-Star Skill Move Rating

Body Feint operates similarly to the fake shot but focuses on misleading defenders about your directional intent rather than shooting deception. This move involves quickly flicking the left stick left or right before accelerating in the opposite direction. Despite its simplicity, it remains exceptionally effective for creating space. Practice tip: combine with sudden acceleration bursts to maximize effectiveness against aggressive defenders.

Minimum Requirement: 2-Star Skill Move Rating

Stepovers involve rotating your legs around the ball in circular motions to fake directional changes while maintaining possession. Perform by rotating the right stick in a circular motion around its axis. Many elite players utilize this move while advancing with the ball to disrupt defender timing. Advanced application: vary speed and direction of stepovers to keep defenders guessing about your next move.

Minimum Requirement: 3-Star Skill Move Rating

The Heel Flick enables quick directional changes using the back of your foot, perfect for evading tackles from behind. Execute by flicking the right stick backward then quickly in your desired direction. This move works exceptionally well when defenders apply pressure from your blind side. Strategic tip: use near the sidelines to flick the ball past defenders while maintaining your running momentum.

Also known as the 360-degree spin, the Roulette involves a complete rotation while shielding the ball from defenders. Perform by rotating the right stick in a full 360-degree motion. This classic move excels in congested midfield areas where quick turns create passing lanes. Common error: attempting the move with insufficient space, resulting in lost possession.

The Ball Hop enables your player to jump over the ball while changing direction, effective against slide tackles. Execute by pressing the right stick downward then quickly upward. This technique proves particularly useful when anticipating defensive slides in the penalty area. Advanced tactic: combine with quick acceleration to bypass defenders committing to tackles.

The Spin move creates rapid directional changes through a 180-degree turn while maintaining close ball control. Perform by rotating the right stick halfway around its axis. This maneuver works well in tight spaces where quick changes of direction can create shooting opportunities. Practice recommendation: master timing to execute when defenders commit their weight in one direction.

Stop & Turn combines sudden deceleration with an explosive change of direction to wrong-foot defenders. Execute by releasing sprint while quickly turning in the opposite direction. This move excels when transitioning from high speed to controlled possession. Strategic application: use when being chased by defenders to create sudden separation and passing angles.

The Simple Rainbow involves flicking the ball over your head and the defender using one foot, creating spectacular bypass opportunities. Execute by flicking the right stick forward then backward quickly. This flashy move works best when defenders approach directly from the front. Risk assessment: only attempt when successfully executed creates clear scoring chances due to high possession loss risk.

Named after Cristiano Ronaldo, this move involves a sharp directional change using the outside of the foot while sprinting. Perform by flicking the right stick at a 45-degree angle while holding sprint. The technique excels at creating space for crosses and shots from wide positions. Pro tip: use when cutting inside from the wing to create shooting angles.

Also known as the snake, the Flip Flap involves rapid left-right ball movement to deceive defenders about your direction. Execute by moving the right stick left then right (or vice versa) in quick succession. This Ronaldinho-inspired move works exceptionally well in one-on-one situations in the final third. Mastery tip: practice timing to execute when defenders shift their weight.

The Elastico involves an extremely quick outside-inside foot movement that creates dramatic directional deception. Perform by moving the right stick in a semi-circular motion from outside to inside. This advanced technique requires precise timing but can completely wrong-foot defenders when executed correctly. Practice requirement: dedicate significant training time to build muscle memory for consistent execution.

The Hocus Pocus combines two quick stepovers with a directional change, creating complex deception patterns. Execute by performing consecutive stepovers followed by a sharp directional change. This highly technical move works best against experienced defenders who read simpler moves. Advanced application: vary the speed and rhythm to disrupt defensive anticipation patterns.

Mastering FIFA 18 skill moves extends beyond mere execution—it requires strategic understanding of when and where to deploy each technique. Begin by practicing basic moves in skill games before implementing them in matches. Focus on one or two moves at a time until they become second nature, then gradually expand your repertoire. Remember that effective skill move usage depends on reading defensive setups and recognizing opportunities rather than randomly attempting flashy techniques.

For comprehensive gameplay improvement, consider exploring our Complete Guide to understanding game mechanics across different modes. Additionally, proper player selection significantly impacts skill move effectiveness—learn more about optimizing your squad in our Class Guide. Finally, understanding when to use simple moves versus advanced techniques separates good players from great ones—discover more strategic insights in our Weapons Unlock guide for analogous tactical principles.

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