PES 2021 Controls: Complete Guide (Goalkeeper, Defence & Attack) on PS4 and Xbox One


The PES 2021 Season Update is out now. The controls haven’t changed but if you are new to the game or a regular PES player, it is worth checking you know ALL the controls.

Check out our full controls guide below.

Standard Attacking Controls

Action
Standard PS4
Alternate PS4
Standard Xbox One
Alternate Xbox One
Player movement
LS
LS
LS
LS
Cursor change (change player)
L1
L1
LB
LB
Dash (sprint)
R1
R2
RB
RT
Shoot
O
X
B
Low pass
X
X
A
A
Lofted pass/cross
O
B
X
Through ball
Y
Y
Special controls
R2
R1
RT
RB
Manual controls
L2
L2
LT
LT
Super cancel (cancel action)
R1 + R2
R1 + R2
RB + RT
RB + RT

This is what you should most be familiar with, and not much of it needs explaining.

The only thing that could be of use is 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
Standard PS4
Alternate PS4
Standard Xbox One
Alternate Xbox One
Pressure (press the ball)
X
X
A
A
Standing tackle
Double tap X
Double tap X
Double tap A
Double tap A
Sliding tackle
O
B
X
COM teammates pressure (teammates press ball)
Hold ▢
Hold O
Hold X
Hold B
Bring out goalkeeper
Y
Y

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

PES2021 Mat BAR FCBM 2532585f16d2e2ddc787 01029278 min 1
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SOLID! Becoming a good defender will help you stay one step ahead

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
Standard PS4
Alternate PS4
Standard Xbox One
Alternate Xbox One
Close control
R2 + LS
R1 + LS
RT + LS
RB + LS
Dash dribble
LS + R1
LS + RT
LS + RB
LS + RT
Speed burst
Double tap R1 + LS
Double tap R2 + L2
Double tap RB + LS
Double tap RT + LS
Knock on (when stationary)
R2 + RS in any direction
R1 + RS in any direction
RT + RS in any direction
RB + RS in any direction
Quick stop
Release LS + R1
Release LS + R2
Release LS + RB
Release LS + RT
Quick stop then face opposition goal
Release LS + R2
Release LS + R1
Release LS + RT
Release LS + RB
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

What you can do with the ball at your feet will separate the men from the boys on PES 2021.

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.

iniesta pes 2021 1
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SILKY! Dribbling past your opponent will help create space for your team

 Have a practice with these in the training mode, and if you can nail the dive control, you can win yourself some vital penalties and wind up your mates.

Trap Controls

Action
Standard PS4
Alternate PS4
Standard Xbox One
Alternate Xbox One
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 back. Master these and the tempo of the game will be in the palm of your hand.

Advanced Movement Control

Action
Standard PS4
Alternate PS4
Standard Xbox One
Alternate Xbox One
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.

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
Standard PS4
Alternate PS4
Standard Xbox One
Alternate Xbox One
High pass
RB + O
RB + ▢
RB + B
RB + X
Chipped through ball
LB + △
LB + △
LB + Y
LB + Y
Low cross
Double tap O
Double tap ▢
Double tap B
Double tap X
Early cross
L1 + any type of cross
L1 + any type of cross
LB + any type of cross
LB + any type of cross
One-two pass
LB + X then △
LB + X then △
LB + A then Y
LB + A then Y
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
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
Call for the ball (co-op match an fixed only)
Double tap R2
Double tap R1
Double tap RT
Double tap RB
Teammate forward run
L1 + RS then release RS
L1 + RS then release RS
LB + RS then release RS
LB + RS then release RS

A great way to break down the defence on PES 2021 is with short, sharp passing. If you can throw in here a sweet final through ball, then few opponents have a chance against you.

aubameyang pes 2021
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FLAIR! You can score some incredible team goals on PES 2021

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

READ MORE: All the stadiums on PES 2021

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
Standard PS4
Alternate PS4
Standard Xbox One
Alternate Xbox One
Controlled shot
R2 + ▢
R1 + O
RT + X
RB + B
Chip shot
LB + X
LB + O
LB + X
LB + B

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.

As for the chip shot, it can be difficult to know when to use, with goalkeepers on PES 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
Standard PS4
Alternate PS4
Standard Xbox One
Alternate Xbox One
Select set piece taker
Select
Select
View button
View button
Pass/shot direction
LS ←/→
LS ←/→
LS ←/→
LS ←/→
Adjust trajectory (whilst shooting or crossing)
LS ↑/↓/←/→
LS ↑/↓/←/→
LS ↑/↓/←/→
LS ↑/↓ /←/→
Position second free kick taker
L1 + D-pad ↑
L1 + D-pad ↑
LB + D-pad ↑
LB + D-pad ↑
Line up both takers
L1 + D-pad ↓
L1 + D-pad ↓
LB + D-pad ↓
LB + D-pad ↓
Pass/shoot with second taker
Hold L2
Hold L2
Hold LT
Hold LT
Trick free kick
O then X
▢ then X
B then A
X then A
Short knock-on
L1 + X
L1 + X
LB + A
LB + A
Fix pass/shot direction and trajectory (offline only)
R1
R2
RB
RT
Dash/ touchline strategy
D-pad ↑
D-pad ↑
D-pad ↑
D-pad ↑
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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.

pes 2021 lukaku spain belgium
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+ 4

AERIAL THREAT! Dominating aerial duels will really benefit your side

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

READ MORE: Every single club in PES 2021

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
Standard PS4
Alternate PS4
Standard Xbox One
Alternate Xbox One
Shoot
O
X
B
Chipped penalty
L1 + ▢
L1 + O
LB + X
LB + B
Display aiming guide
R1
R2
RB
RT

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.

READ MORE: PES 2021 SEASON UPDATE – Full Breakdown

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
Standard PS4
Alternate PS4
Standard Xbox One
Alternate Xbox One
Put ball down/ pick up ball
Release LS then R1
Release LS then R2
Release LS then RB
Release LS then RT
Throw
X
X
A
A
Throw into space
Y
Y
Drop kick
O
B
X
High punt kick
R1 + O
R2 + ▢
RB + B
RT + X
Pass feint
Any pass command then X
Any pass command then X
Any pass command then A
Any pass command then A

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
Standard PS4
Alternate PS4
Standard Xbox One
Alternate Xbox One
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

For top end PES players, 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.

READ MORE: PES 2021 Licences

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