eFootball 2022 Controls: All the tricks you need on PlayStation, Xbox & Mobile


The biggest free football game EVER eFootball 2022 is on the way, and with an abundance of platforms available to play on.

Many players will be new to the franchise, which was formerly known as PES - so we're here to help you out on the controls.

Standard Attacking Controls

Action
Stand. PS
Alt. PS
Stand. Xbox
Alt. Xbox
Class. Mob.
Adv. Mob
Player movement
LS
LS
LS
LS
Directional Stick
Slide on L side
Change player
L1
L1
LB
LB
Switch button
Tap on R side
Dash (sprint)
R1
R2
RB
RT
Dash button
Hold on R side when dribbling
Shoot
O
X
B
Shoot button
Double tap R side
Low pass
X
X
A
A
Tap Pass button
Flick R side
Lofted pass/cross
O
B
X
Hold down Pass button
Draw back and flick on R side
Through ball
Y
Y
Through button
Slide & hold on R side
Special controls
R2
R1
RT
RB
Flick Directional Stick
Flick on L side
Manual controls
L2
L2
LT
LT
n/a
n/a
Super cancel (cancel action)
R1 + R2
R1 + R2
RB + RT
RB + RT
n/a
n/a

PES fans will know that default controls are "flipped" from what you will see on EA Sports' franchise FIFA 22.

rashford-efootball-manchester-united
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+ 5
HEADSTART - Get the controls down to get off to a flier in eFootball

Don't underestimate the use of "super cancel", to be used if you change your mind from making a pass or shot.

If you really fancy yourself as a top player, you could try to use manual controls to make your passing and finishing more precise.

Standard Defensive Controls

Action
Stand. PS
Alt. PS
Stand. Xbox
Alt. Xbox
Class. Mob
Adv. Mob
Pressure (press the ball)
X
X
A
A
Pressure Button
Hold R side while moving
Standing tackle
Double tap X
Double tap X
Double tap A
Double tap A
Tackle button
Continue Holding R side
Sliding tackle
O
B
X
Tackle button
Flick L side
COM teammates pressure (teammates press ball)
Hold ▢
Hold O
Hold X
Hold B
Slide Pressure up
Hold R side and slide while pressing
Bring out goalkeeper
Y
Y
Slide Pressure down
Draw back and slide on R side

Winning the ball back on eFootball is incredibly difficult, and for first-timers, you must recognise the standing tackle control.

pique-tackle-efootball-2022
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+ 5
CHALLENGE - There's a different technique in eFootball compared to FIFA

Tackling is still very difficult to time, so look to find a balance between pressing your opponent and using your teammates to steal the ball back.

Dribbling Controls

Action
Stand. PS
Alt. PS
Stand. Xbox
Alt. Xbox
Class. Mob
Adv. Mob
Close control
R2 + LS
R1 + LS
RT + LS
RB + LS
Flick stick up
Flick on L side
Dash dribble
LS + R1
LS + RT
LS + RB
LS + RT
Hold Dash
Hold R side
Speed burst
Double tap R1 + LS
Double tap R2 + L2
Double tap RB + LS
Double tap RT + LS
Flick stick
Flick on L side
Knock on (when stationary)
R2 + RS in any direction
R1 + RS in any direction
RT + RS in any direction
RB + RS in any direction
n/a
n/a
Quick stop
Release LS + R1
Release LS + R2
Release LS + RB
Release LS + RT
n/a
Tap on L side
Quick stop then face opposition goal
Release LS + R2
Release LS + R1
Release LS + RT
Release LS + RB
n/a
n/a
Dive
Click L3 + Click R3 + L1 + L2
Click L3 + Click R3 + L1 + L2
Click LS + Click RS + LB + LT
Click LS + Click RS + LB + LT
n/a
n/a

What you can do with the ball at your feet will separate the men from the boys on eFootball.

efootball-iniesta
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+ 5
CLOSE CONTROL - Crack the meta to beat players with ease

You need to understand what kind of dribbles can be performed when sprinting, allowing you to burst past your opponent and open up the defence.

Trap Controls

Action
Stand. PS
Alt. PS
Stand. Xbox
Alt. Xbox
Flick
Click and hold R3 as you receive the ball
Click and hold R3 as you receive the ball
Click and hold RS as you receive the ball
Click and hold RS as you receive the ball
Control and face opposition goal
Push then release LS + start holding R2 before player controls ball
Push then release LS + start holding R1 before player controls ball
Push then release LS + start holding RT before player controls ball
Push then release LS + start holding RB before player controls ball
Through feint
Let go LS and before trapping the ball hold R1
Let go LS and before trapping the ball hold R2
Let go LS and before trapping the ball hold RB
Let go LS and before trapping the ball hold RT
Trap feint
Let go LS and before trapping the ball hold R1
Let go LS and before trapping the ball hold R2
Let go LS and before trapping the ball hold RB
Let go LS and before trapping the ball hold RT

Trap controls just apply when receiving the ball.

These can be used to gain a yard or two on the defender, or to slow the game down to suck them into a challenge. Master these and the tempo of the game will be in the palm of your hand.

Advanced Movement Control

Action
Stand. PS4
Alt. PS4
Stand. Xbox
Alt. Xbox
Jockey (in defence)
R2 + LS
R1 + LS
RT + LS
RB + LS
Manual cursor change (change player)
RS
RS
RS
RS
Positioning for high balls
R2 + LS
R1 + LS
RT + LS
RB + LS

These advanced controls are rarely used, but they can give you an extra edge.

Want to change to a specific player? Simply flick the right stick in the direction of the player you want.

efootball-kubo
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TAKE CONTROL - Know which movements can get you that extra yard

Getting your positioning right for high balls is also useful and increases the odds of you winning an aerial battle.

As for jockeying in defence, with defending as hard as it is, and the inability to sprint whilst jockeying, this is a hard control to master.

Advanced Passing Controls

Action
Stand. PS
Alt. PS
Stand. Xbox One
Alt. Xbox
Class. Mob
Adv. Mob.
High pass
RB + O
RB + ▢
RB + B
RB + X
Flick Pass
Draw back on R side & flick
Chipped through ball
LB + △
LB + △
LB + Y
LB + Y
Flick Through
Draw back on R side, slide & stop
Low cross
Double tap O
Double tap ▢
Double tap B
Double tap X
n/a
Flick on R side
Early cross
L1 + any type of cross
L1 + any type of cross
LB + any type of cross
LB + any type of cross
n/a
n/a
One-two pass
LB + X then △
LB + X then △
LB + A then Y
LB + A then Y
n/a
n/a
Dynamic one-two
LB + X then hold LB + RS in direction you want player to make run
LB + X then hold LB + RS in direction you want player to make run
LB + A then hold LB + RS in direction you want player to make run
LB + A then hold LB + RS in direction you want player to make run
n/a
n/a
Pass and move
X or △ then R2 before player kicks ball
X or △ then R1 before player kicks ball
A or Y then RT before player kicks ball
A or Y then RB before player kicks ball
Flick after pass
F on L side during pass
Call for the ball (co-op match an fixed only)
Double tap R2
Double tap R1
Double tap RT
Double tap RB
n/a
n/a
Teammate forward run
L1 + RS then release RS
L1 + RS then release RS
LB + RS then release RS
LB + RS then release RS
n/a
n/a

A great way to break down the defence on eFootball is with short, sharp passing. If you can throw in here a sweet final through ball, then few opponents have a chance against you.

The one-two moves or the pass and move should be heavily used with the opponent often struggling to track the runners.

And, if you really want to cut the defence in two, get the teammate forward run going so you can play balls forward when you want.

Advanced Shooting Controls

Action
Stand. PS
Alt. PS4
Stand. Xbox
Alt. Xbox
Class. Mob
Adv. Mob
Controlled shot
R2 + ▢
R1 + O
RT + X
RB + B
Flick Shoot down
Tap R side & flick
Chip shot
LB + X
LB + O
LB + X
LB + B
Flick shoot up
Tap R side & draw arc

These two shooting controls will be vital when you get in and around the box.

The controlled shot is to be used when you are looking to bend the ball into the corner and opting for placement rather than power.

efootball-pes2022
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TEAMWORK - Get the passes flowing and you'll be rewarded with easy opportunities

As for the chip shot, it can be difficult to know when to use, with goalkeepers on eFootball reluctant to rush out from goal.

If you do come within inches of the goalkeeper, use the chip shot and see the ball dink over him as the 'keeper drops to the ground.

Set Piece Controls

Action
Stand. PS
Alt. PS
Stand. Xbox
Alt. Xbox
Class. Mob
Adv. Mob
Select set piece taker
Select
Select
View button
View button
Pass/shot direction
LS ←/→
LS ←/→
LS ←/→
LS ←/→
Flick R side & draw arc
Flick R side & draw arc
Adjust trajectory (whilst shooting or crossing)
LS ↑/↓/←/→
LS ↑/↓/←/→
LS ↑/↓/←/→
LS ↑/↓ /←/→
Flick R side & draw arc
Flick R side & draw arc
Position second free kick taker
L1 + D-pad ↑
L1 + D-pad ↑
LB + D-pad ↑
LB + D-pad ↑
n/a
n/a
Line up both takers
L1 + D-pad ↓
L1 + D-pad ↓
LB + D-pad ↓
LB + D-pad ↓
n/a
n/a
Pass/shoot with second taker
Hold L2
Hold L2
Hold LT
Hold LT
n/a
n/a
Trick free kick
O then X
▢ then X
B then A
X then A
n/a
n/a
Short knock-on
L1 + X
L1 + X
LB + A
LB + A
n/a
n/a
Fix pass/shot direction and trajectory (offline only)
R1
R2
RB
RT
n/a
n/a
Dash/ touchline strategy
D-pad ↑
D-pad ↑
D-pad ↑
D-pad ↑
n/a
n/a
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Set-pieces are difficult to master on PES 2021, so make sure you take the time in training to at least give yourself a chance of finding the net.

There are plenty of options you can tinker with, so it is important to find what works, and at what range, for you.

When playing against the COM, fouls are at a premium, but when playing your mates the challenges may fly around; make sure you are prepared.

Penalty Controls

Action
Stand. PS
Alt. PS
Stand. Xbox
Alt. Xbox
Class. Mob
Adv. Mob
Shoot
O
X
B
Flick R side
Flick R side
Chipped penalty
L1 + ▢
L1 + O
LB + X
LB + B
n/a
n/a
Display aiming guide
R1
R2
RB
RT
n/a
n/a

With penalties, it's all about making sure you use the aiming guide.

Once you have a feel for this, you can go without it, as you won't want to telegraph your spot-kick to an offline opponent

The chipped penalty, or Panenka, can be used if you want the goalkeeper to look silly, but miss and you'll be the one with egg on your face.

GK Controls (on the ball)

Action
Stand. PS
Alt. PS
Stand. Xbox
Alt. Xbox
Class. Mob
Adv. Mob
Put ball down/ pick up ball
Release LS then R1
Release LS then R2
Release LS then RB
Release LS then RT
n/a
Throw
X
X
A
A
Pass
Flick R side
Throw into space
Y
Y
Through
Slide and hold R side
Drop kick
O
B
X
n/a
n/a
High punt kick
R1 + O
R2 + ▢
RB + B
RT + X
High Punt
Double tap R side
Pass feint
Any pass then X
Any pass then X
Any pass then A
Any pass then A
Flick after tapping Dash
Double tap R side then flick L side

All fairly standard, but if you have a striker who is great in the air, it may be worth utilising the high punt kick to give the forward more time to get under the ball.

If you are about to throw the ball straight to an opponent, save your blushes with the pass feint control.

Strategy Controls

Action
Stand. PS
Alt. PS
Stand. Xbox
Alt. Xbox
Switch preset tactics
Hold D-pad ↑ or ↓
Hold D-pad ↑ or ↓
Hold D-pad ↑ or ↓
Hold D-pad ↑ or ↓
Switch Attack1 strategy on/off
L2 + D-pad ↑
L2 + D-pad ↑
LT + D-pad ↑
LT + D-pad ↑
Switch Attack2 strategy on/off
L2 + D-pad ↓
L2 + D-pad ↓
LT + D-pad ↓
LT + D-pad ↓
Switch Defence1 strategy on/off
L2 + D-pad ←
L2 + D-pad ←
LT + D-pad ←
LT + D-pad ←
Switch Defence1 strategy on/off
L2 + D-pad →
L2 + D-pad →
LT + D-pad →
LT + D-pad →
Increase attack/defence level
Double tap D-pad ↑
Double tap D-pad ↑
Double tap D-pad ↑
Double tap D-pad ↑
Decrease attack/defence level
Double tap D-pad ↓
Double tap D-pad ↓
Double tap D-pad ↓
Double tap D-pad ↓
Quick substitution (when ball out of play)
Select button
Select button
View button
View button

Knowing how and when to use strategies can put you in the ascendancy.

In attack, these can be attacking full backs or tiki-taka, whereas in defence you have the gegenpress and tight marking. Find the tactics that work for your side, and in your formation.

For more articles like this, take a look at our eFootball page.