Missing easy chances and watching passes roll out of play? These tips for soccer mobile games boil down to this: pass with taps, shoot with controlled swipes, and slow down before you finish.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Tap on or behind a teammate | Attempts to pass the ball to that player’s feet |
| Tap in front of a teammate | Attempts to place the ball into space |
| Single tap (gesture passes on) | Ground pass, through pass or low cross |
| Double tap (gesture passes on) | Lobbed passes only |
| Swipe speed on a gesture shot | Sets the power of the shot |
These figures come from EA’s gesture controls guide for its mobile soccer game. Controls and settings can change between updates, so check the source and your in-game settings before you rely on them.
If you are still choosing what to play, our hub on soccer games is a good place to start.
Start with the settings, not the pitch
Most beginners jump straight into a match and fight the controls. A minute in the settings menu saves you many lost balls.
In the EA guide, the pass behaviour depends on a toggle. The toggle is called “Tap/double-tap gesture passes”. Switching it on gives you control over whether a pass stays on the ground or goes in the air.
With the toggle off, the game’s AI picks the pass type and height for you. That is fine for your first few matches, but you hand over the decision that often separates a good pass from a wasted one.
- Learn what each toggle does before you change several at once.
- Change one setting per session so you can feel the difference.
- Play a few practice or easy-difficulty matches before you move to ranked or competitive modes.
How to pass on a touchscreen
Gesture passing is built around where your finger lands. According to the EA guide, tapping on or behind a player attempts to pass the ball to that player’s feet.
Tapping in front of a player attempts to place the ball into space instead. That is the move you use when a winger is already sprinting and you want the ball to arrive in his path.
With gesture passes switched on, the guide says a single tap triggers passes on the ground, such as a ground pass, a through pass or even a low cross. A double tap triggers only lobbed passes, such as lob passes, lofted through passes and regular crosses.
Pick the right pass for the space
- Short ground pass: your safe option when a defender is close. Tap on the teammate.
- Through ball: tap into the gap ahead of a runner when the defence has stopped moving.
- Lob or cross: double tap when the ground is blocked by bodies, or when you are wide and need to find the middle.
Before every pass, ask yourself where the nearest defender is and whether the ball will reach your teammate before he does. Do not spam the lob. Air passes take longer to arrive, which gives defenders time to recover and win the ball.
How to shoot without skying it
The EA guide describes the gesture shot as the quickest way to release a powerful shot. You swipe towards the goal to take one.
The power depends on the speed of your swipe. The guide warns you not to swipe too fast and overpower the shot, which could send it over the goal.
It is easy to fix once you notice it. A smooth, medium-speed swipe usually beats a frantic flick, especially inside the box where the keeper has little time to react but you have plenty of room to aim low.
Finesse shots
The guide also lists a finesse shot. You swipe in a curved line towards the goal, and that triggers a curling shot.
According to the same page, the amount of curl does not change depending on your gesture. So there is no point drawing a huge arc: a clean curve is enough, and your aim matters more than the shape.
- Get your player facing the goal, ideally from just outside the box or at an angle.
- Pick the far corner, away from the keeper’s hands.
- Swipe in a curve rather than a straight line.
- Keep the swipe smooth so you do not overpower the shot.
Build a simple attacking routine
Good attacks come from rhythm rather than tricks. Start with a safe pass, move the ball to the open side, then look for the through ball.
Before you shoot, glance at three things: where the keeper stands, which defender is closest, and whether a teammate is in a better spot. If a teammate is clearly free, a tap pass is often better than a hopeful shot.
- Pass early when you are under pressure rather than dribbling into a crowd.
- Shoot when you have a clear lane, not just because you are close to goal.
- Reset the attack if the space closes, rather than forcing the ball through.
Attacking is not the whole game, and you will concede goals if you ignore the back line. Our guide on how to defend in soccer games covers that side.
Practise soccer mobile games with a purpose
Short, focused sessions beat long, tired ones. When you stop enjoying a session, stop playing; frustrated thumbs make rushed swipes, and rushed swipes are exactly what sends shots over the bar. Come back fresh and the same moves will feel easier. Pick one skill per session, such as only aiming finesse shots, and repeat it until the swipe feels natural.
Because shot power depends on swipe speed, keep your swipes smooth and deliberate rather than rushed.
If you prefer planning and squad building to thumb skills, a different style of game may suit you better. Take a look at the best soccer manager games for mobile for that route.
- Review a lost match and note where you gave the ball away.
- Count how many shots were blocked, and ask whether a pass would have been better.
- Ask yourself whether you overpowered a swipe or rushed a tap.
This site is independent and educational. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by EA or any game maker named here, and nothing on it is an official guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best control setting for a beginner?
Show answer
Try turning on “Tap/double-tap gesture passes”. The EA guide says this lets a tap give ground passes and a double tap give lobbed passes, so you decide the height.
Why do my shots keep flying over the goal?
Show answer
You are probably swiping too fast. The EA guide says the power depends on swipe speed and warns that an overpowered shot can go over the goal.
Does a bigger curve give more curl on a finesse shot?
Show answer
No. The EA guide says the amount of curl does not change depending on your gesture, so aim carefully and swipe smoothly.
Do these tips work in every soccer game?
Show answer
Not exactly. The details come from EA’s guide for its own game, and other titles map taps and swipes differently. Check the controls screen of whichever game you play.
