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Off the Ball™ Academy...... how to use OTB...... from fifa comunity
- Thread starter Kimmer
- Start date
For the lazy ones 
FIFA 2004 lets you control players even if they`re not in possession thanks to a new suite of controls called Off the Ball™ Control.
Off the Ball™ Academy` will give you a solid understanding of how each function works and also some helpful hints for becoming a pro at Off the Ball™ Control. All the controls mentioned here are for the PS2, however similar controls will be available for the GameCube and Xbox version. It might seem a lot to take in, but with a little practice you`ll be making stunning, tightly coordinated plays in no time.
Basic Off the Ball Runs
Hold the L1 button, watch the nearest striker raise his arm and run into space then flick the right stick in the direction you want him to run. When he`s free from his marker use the triangle and left stick direction to play the ball clean into space along the ground. If you prefer a lob through ball hold down the square button.
Advanced Off the Ball Runs
To maximize the use of Off The Ball runs pass the ball to one of your midfielders in the middle of the pitch, hold the L2 and watch your three strikers leap into action. Select your striker by pressing the L2 button the appropriate number of times and use the right stick to direct the run into space. You now have total control of your attacker. Use the right stick and run your man into space. When you`ve lost your defender press the lob button to knock the perfect ball. If your striker is running away from you the ball will go over his head and into space. If he`s running towards you the ball will be placed on the striker`s chest for tight control.
TIPS:
- Use the L2 button when crossing for an inch perfect ball into the box
- Use the L2 button when close to the half way line for the perfect view of your attacking options
- Don`t hold down the right stick for too long - hit L2, select your player, flick the stick in the desired direction and pass the ball into space
- Modify the height of your through ball using the R2 button - R2 will give the ball a lower trajectory
- Slow the game down by pressing the R2 button, giving you more time to use the L2 button and send players on runs.
One Two`s
When passing the ball to one of your players using the X button you now have the chance to press the L1 button and have your original player make a run into space and look for the ball back for the perfect one two pass. Press the pass button to knock the ball back to feet.
TIPS:
- Slow the game down and wait for your support run to get into space before playing the ball back.
Corners
FIFA 2004 takes you straight into the action on corners and lets you take control, time your runs and knock the ball home. You have 4 options of kick styles to select - scroll down the menu using the right stick and select the ideal delivery of the ball. Next choose one of three players depending on what kick style you have selected. When you press the icon of the desired player you`re taken into the heart of the action in the box. It`s now all about timing your run and beating the defender to the ball. Use the left stick to direct your run and the right stick to spin and jostle for space.
TIPS:
- Timing the run is key so keep an eye on the count down clock in the left hand corner of the screen.
- The right stick is your key to success
Indirect Free-kicks
As well as offering a fine tuned direct free kick control FIFA 2004 lets you execute indirect free kick runs. Select 1 of 4 different styles of free kicks - scroll down the menu using the right stick and select the ideal delivery of the ball. Next choose one of three players depending on what kick style you have selected. When you press the icon of the desired player and you`re taken into the middle of things in or at the edge of the box. It`s now all about timing your run and beating the defender to the ball. Use the left stick to direct your run and the right stick to spin and jostle for space.
TIPS:
- To become the king of set pieces visit the set piece screen in the options menu and choose the running patterns that work best for your strike force.
Strategic Defending
Defending in the real game of football is not always about chasing down an attacker and making a tackle. In the modern game defenders often have to make the strategic decisions to either commit themselves to shut down the attack or work with their defensive team mates to coordinate, contain space and track other player runs. FIFA 2004 now allows the player to call in support from team mates by simply pressing the R2 button when the opposition are in position of the ball ensuring you to control the last line of defense against off the ball runs.
TIPS:
- Be careful not to pull in a supporting defender who already has a player to mark. Sometimes it makes more sense as the free defender to commit and make the tackle yourself.
FIFA 2004 lets you control players even if they`re not in possession thanks to a new suite of controls called Off the Ball™ Control.
Off the Ball™ Academy` will give you a solid understanding of how each function works and also some helpful hints for becoming a pro at Off the Ball™ Control. All the controls mentioned here are for the PS2, however similar controls will be available for the GameCube and Xbox version. It might seem a lot to take in, but with a little practice you`ll be making stunning, tightly coordinated plays in no time.
Basic Off the Ball Runs
Hold the L1 button, watch the nearest striker raise his arm and run into space then flick the right stick in the direction you want him to run. When he`s free from his marker use the triangle and left stick direction to play the ball clean into space along the ground. If you prefer a lob through ball hold down the square button.
Advanced Off the Ball Runs
To maximize the use of Off The Ball runs pass the ball to one of your midfielders in the middle of the pitch, hold the L2 and watch your three strikers leap into action. Select your striker by pressing the L2 button the appropriate number of times and use the right stick to direct the run into space. You now have total control of your attacker. Use the right stick and run your man into space. When you`ve lost your defender press the lob button to knock the perfect ball. If your striker is running away from you the ball will go over his head and into space. If he`s running towards you the ball will be placed on the striker`s chest for tight control.
TIPS:
- Use the L2 button when crossing for an inch perfect ball into the box
- Use the L2 button when close to the half way line for the perfect view of your attacking options
- Don`t hold down the right stick for too long - hit L2, select your player, flick the stick in the desired direction and pass the ball into space
- Modify the height of your through ball using the R2 button - R2 will give the ball a lower trajectory
- Slow the game down by pressing the R2 button, giving you more time to use the L2 button and send players on runs.
One Two`s
When passing the ball to one of your players using the X button you now have the chance to press the L1 button and have your original player make a run into space and look for the ball back for the perfect one two pass. Press the pass button to knock the ball back to feet.
TIPS:
- Slow the game down and wait for your support run to get into space before playing the ball back.
Corners
FIFA 2004 takes you straight into the action on corners and lets you take control, time your runs and knock the ball home. You have 4 options of kick styles to select - scroll down the menu using the right stick and select the ideal delivery of the ball. Next choose one of three players depending on what kick style you have selected. When you press the icon of the desired player you`re taken into the heart of the action in the box. It`s now all about timing your run and beating the defender to the ball. Use the left stick to direct your run and the right stick to spin and jostle for space.
TIPS:
- Timing the run is key so keep an eye on the count down clock in the left hand corner of the screen.
- The right stick is your key to success
Indirect Free-kicks
As well as offering a fine tuned direct free kick control FIFA 2004 lets you execute indirect free kick runs. Select 1 of 4 different styles of free kicks - scroll down the menu using the right stick and select the ideal delivery of the ball. Next choose one of three players depending on what kick style you have selected. When you press the icon of the desired player and you`re taken into the middle of things in or at the edge of the box. It`s now all about timing your run and beating the defender to the ball. Use the left stick to direct your run and the right stick to spin and jostle for space.
TIPS:
- To become the king of set pieces visit the set piece screen in the options menu and choose the running patterns that work best for your strike force.
Strategic Defending
Defending in the real game of football is not always about chasing down an attacker and making a tackle. In the modern game defenders often have to make the strategic decisions to either commit themselves to shut down the attack or work with their defensive team mates to coordinate, contain space and track other player runs. FIFA 2004 now allows the player to call in support from team mates by simply pressing the R2 button when the opposition are in position of the ball ensuring you to control the last line of defense against off the ball runs.
TIPS:
- Be careful not to pull in a supporting defender who already has a player to mark. Sometimes it makes more sense as the free defender to commit and make the tackle yourself.
Hrvoje Bajlo
Fan Favourite
Thank you Hakeem & Kimmer 
Serginho2gaucho
Reserve Team
can someone explain off the ball for the pc???
I mean, for the keyboar, for those of us who cant afford a good gamepad
I mean, for the keyboar, for those of us who cant afford a good gamepad
Hrvoje Bajlo
Fan Favourite
yeah explanation for PC will be usefuel ...
nickclubman
Starting XI
Why don't EA let us figure it out for our selves, in stead of trying to make the learning curve easier? 
I don't want to read a load of documents and see a load of videos on how to break the defence and be a pro before I even play the damn game! 
I don't want to read a load of documents and see a load of videos on how to break the defence and be a pro before I even play the damn game! NerazZurRo
Youth Team
press R2 to slow the game down??!! wtf!!
BS.. might as well call it Max Payne Football 2004
BS.. might as well call it Max Payne Football 2004
Originally posted by nickclubman
Why don't EA let us figure it out for our selves, in stead of trying to make the learning curve easier?
Are they forcing you to read it Nick?