Top 10 FIFA Soccer 13 Tips and Tricks to Master Your Gameplay

As a lifelong FIFA enthusiast who has logged over 2,000 hours across various editions, I've come to appreciate FIFA 13 not just as a game, but as a complex digital sport that rewards strategic thinking. I remember the first time I booted it up, the improved Player Impact Engine felt both exhilarating and intimidating. It’s a sentiment that echoes the kind of team development philosophy mentioned by Coach Guiao: "We are really happy with the developments and the progress that we are making as a team." This isn't just about individual skill; it's about how your virtual team grows and adapts as a cohesive unit. Mastering FIFA 13 is a journey of constant development, and I'm here to share the top ten tips and tricks that transformed my own gameplay from frustrating to formidable.

Let's start with the foundation, something I learned the hard way after countless early losses. The new First Touch Control in FIFA 13 is a game-changer, and frankly, it's the most significant mechanic you need to master. Unlike previous versions where every first touch was almost perfect, here, a player's skill, their body position, and the pass velocity all matter. I can't stress this enough: never just hold the sprint button when receiving a pass. You'll see your star striker fumble a simple ball like a amateur. Instead, ease off the sprint trigger and use the Left Trigger (L2/LT) to shield the ball. This simple adjustment alone probably improved my possession stats by a solid 30%. It forces you to think one step ahead, to anticipate the defender's movement. It’s that very idea of progress and development Guiao talked about—your team's ability to handle pressure starts with these fundamental, controlled interactions on the pitch.

Moving on to attacking, the addition of the Attacking Intelligence system means your AI teammates make smarter, more dynamic runs. But you have to trigger them. My favorite trick, one that I use in probably 80% of my build-up play, is the double-tap of the Lob Through Pass button (LB + Y / L1 + Triangle). This sends a lower, faster, and more precise lobbed through ball that is perfect for cutting through defensive lines. It's devastating on the counter-attack. Pair this with learning to use finesse shots from inside the box. Hold the RB / R1 button while shooting, and you'll see the ball curl beautifully around the keeper. I've scored what felt like a hundred goals with this technique, especially with left-footed players cutting in from the right wing. It’s a personal preference, but I find it far more reliable than power shots in one-on-one situations.

Defensively, the game punishes reckless tackling. I used to be that player who constantly dove in with the sliding tackle button, only to watch my defender get skinned and leave a gaping hole in my backline. The key is patience and jockeying. Hold A / X to contain, but more importantly, use the LT + RT / L2 + R2 "face-up" jockey to mirror your opponent's movements. This gives you much more control to shepherd them into less dangerous areas. Tactical defending is the way to go, and it requires you to think of your back four as a unit working in sync. It reminds me of that collective progress Guiao emphasized; a successful defense isn't about one heroic last-ditch tackle, but about four players understanding their roles and covering for each other, forcing the attacker into a mistake.

Set pieces are another area where you can steal a massive advantage. For free kicks just outside the box, I almost always opt for a finesse shot. Aim just over the wall, about two player-widths to the side of the near post, and use about two and a half bars of power. The dip and swerve you can generate is incredible. From corners, don't just blindly whip the ball into the mixer. Use the left stick to aim for a specific area—I personally love aiming for the near post runner—and hold the cross button for about three bars of power. While the ball is in the air, hold LT / L2 to initiate a more physical battle with the defender, giving your attacker a better chance to win the header. It's these small, calculated details that separate the good players from the great ones.

Ultimately, mastering FIFA 13 is a continuous process of refinement. It's not about finding one magic bullet, but about integrating these tips into a fluid, adaptable playstyle. You'll have games where everything clicks, and your team moves with the kind of understanding and progress that any real-life coach like Guiao would be proud of. And you'll have games where nothing works. But that's the beauty of it. The feeling of seeing your virtual team develop its own identity, of executing a perfectly practiced set-piece routine, or of breaking down a stubborn defense with a series of intelligent passes, is what makes this game a classic. So get out there, practice these tricks, and watch your own team's development soar.