Long Ball

Long passing is no longer as simple as kicking the ball up field and hoping your striker can control the ball. Now when your players control the ball, they will attempt to make the best and most accurate long pass they can.

Players will no longer stand and watch inaccurate passes go past them. Similarly, improvements to heading have made long balls more playable. These two features greatly affect how long passing works in the new Simulator. 

If your players win the ball in their own third, they will often attempt an aerial pass towards your midfielders or strikers. If they win it further up the field, a short pass along the ground is more likely to be played, though short aerial passes are an option as well. Defenders with high passing skills are more likely to help long ball tactics succeed.

The passing bug fixes greatly help long passing strategies. Previously, long passes would often fail to reach their intended target, and therefore long passing tactics handed the ball to the opposition. This is much improved in the new Simulator.

With heading also improved, players have a better chance of controlling the ball when receiving an aerial pass.

(Old Simulator)

• First sequence: we see the defender take control of the ball and attempt a long aerial pass. The receiving player is unable to take control of the ball.
• Second sequence: once more, the receiving player watches as the ball goes past.

(New Simulator)

• Third sequence: the defender intercepts the ball, successfully attempts a long aerial pass towards the midfielder who then passes the ball to the striker. The play is very direct.
• Fourth sequence: the midfielder intercepts the ball and quickly plays a long ball towards the striker. The attacking team play a few short passes before an aerial pass allows the striker a header towards goal.