Physical Abilities
Physical presence – How well a player can compete in a physical encounter with an opposition player.
- Primary attributes: Balance and Strength.
- Key mental attributes: Aggression, Bravery, Determination and Work Rate (endeavour).
Since Work Rate affects how much physical effort a player puts into his actions it is included as a key mental attribute for the physical abilities only. However, it is still used for many of the attacking and defensive abilities when they combine with a physical ability (along with the physical ability’s other relevant primary attributes and key mental attributes). Similarly, Aggression and Bravery are generally only used when an attacking or defensive ability is combined with the physical presence ability.
Aerial presence – How well a player can reach an aerial ball coming towards him.
- Primary attributes: Jumping Reach.
- Key mental attributes: Determination and Work Rate (endeavour).
- Related physical abilities: physical presence (a player attempting to connect with an aerial ball will often be involved in a physical tussle with another player, both when stood on the ground and when jumping).
- Other physical qualities: Height
Although Jumping Reach is the primary attribute that affects how high a player can reach in the air, height is also an important quality. A taller player will be able to utilise his jumping capabilities more easily, with less endeavour and physical presence needed. Good height can be a particular advantage for a player when he is tired or involved in a physical tussle.
Mobility – How quickly and nimbly a player can move.
- Primary attributes: Acceleration, Agility and Pace.
- Key mental attributes: Determination and Work Rate (endeavour).
Attacking Abilities
Off the ball movement – How well a player can move into useful positions off the ball to either receive a pass or create space for teammates to exploit.
- Primary attributes: Off The Ball and Composure.
- Key mental attributes: Anticipation, Decisions and Teamwork (movement), Composure and Concentration (focus), and Determination (endeavour).
- Related physical abilities: mobility (for moving more easily) and physical presence (for physical tussles when competing with an opposition player for the ball).
Composure is included as both a primary attribute and a key mental attribute for all attacking and defensive abilities as it affects both a player’s choices and his technical performance. However, it is only relevant when a player is under mental pressure.
Control – How well a player can receive the ball and set it up for his next action.
- Primary attributes: First Touch, Technique and Composure.
- Key mental attributes: Anticipation, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork and Vision (creativity), Composure and Concentration (focus), and Determination (endeavour).
- Related physical abilities: aerial presence (for controlling an aerial ball), physical presence (for shielding the ball from an opposition player who is attempting to tackle).
Anticipation, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork and Vision will help a player to decide how to set the ball up for his next action before he receives it.
Technique is a primary attribute for all on the ball attacking abilities as it affects how well a player can perform more challenging technical actions when he is on the ball.
Passing ability – How well a player can pass the ball to a teammate.
- Primary attributes: Passing, Technique and Composure.
- Key mental attributes: Anticipation, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork and Vision (creativity), Composure and Concentration (focus), and Determination (endeavour).
Crossing ability – How well a player can cross the ball from wide into the opposition penalty area.
- Primary attributes: Crossing, Passing, Technique and Composure.
- Key mental attributes: Anticipation, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork and Vision (creativity), Composure and Concentration (focus), and Determination (endeavour).
Dribbling ability – How well a player can run with the ball.
- Primary attributes: Dribbling, Technique and Composure.
- Key mental attributes: Anticipation and Vision (awareness), Decisions and Flair (decision making), Composure and Concentration (focus), and Determination (endeavour).
- Related physical abilities: mobility (for running with the ball quickly and nimbly) and physical presence (for shielding the ball from an opposition player who is attempting to tackle).
Shooting ability – How well a player can shoot at the opposition goal.
- Primary attributes: Finishing, Long Shots (for long range shooting), Technique and Composure (particularly for close range shooting).
- Key mental attributes: Anticipation and Vision (awareness), Decisions and Flair (decision making), Composure (particularly for close range) and Concentration (focus), and Determination (endeavour).
Heading ability – How well a player can make a headed pass or shot.
- Primary attributes: Heading, Technique and Composure (particularly for shots).
- Key mental attributes: Anticipation, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork and Vision (creativity), Composure (particularly for shots) and Concentration (focus), and Determination (endeavour).
- Related physical abilities: aerial presence (for reaching the ball) and physical presence (for competing with an opposition player to reach the ball).
Hold-up play – How well a player can hold up the ball by keeping it stationery or moving it slowly to allow teammates to move into better positions.
- Primary attributes: Composure.
- Key mental attributes: Anticipation and Teamwork (awareness), Decisions (decision making), and Composure and Concentration (focus), and Determination (endeavour).
- Related physical abilities: physical presence (for shielding the ball from an opposition player who is attempting to tackle).
