FC Playbook

FC 26 Skill Moves

All 82 moves from the game's Skill Moves screens, from one to five stars plus juggling tricks, drawn as Xbox buttons with a note on what each move does. A player can do the moves up to their own skill-move star rating. Pick a rating to see only those moves.

+
together
then
one after another
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either works
hold
keep it held
tap
a quick press
×2
press twice
release
let go
flick
flick the stick
stick direction
rotate the stick

Updated

1 Star Moves

Available to every player.

  • Directional Nutmeg

    Pokes the ball past or through the legs of a close defender in the direction you choose, then runs on to collect it.

    Tip: Pick your moment against a defender in close; tried every time you get near, it becomes easy to read.

    Hold LB + hold RB + move RS

  • Ball Juggle

    While standing

    Starts keeping the ball up with repeated touches while your player stands still, the starting point for every juggling trick.

    Tip: It does not beat a defender by itself, so keep it for moments without pressure or as the setup for a juggling trick.

    Press LT + tap RB

  • Open Up Fake Shot Left

    Shapes to shoot, then opens up the body and pushes off diagonally to the left, leaving a defender who moved to block behind.

    Tip: Handy near the box or on a sprint down the wing, where the burst out of the fake takes you clear of the defender.

    Hold LB + press X or press B, then press A + move LS up-left

  • Open Up Fake Shot Right

    Shapes to shoot, then opens up the body and pushes off diagonally to the right, leaving a defender who moved to block behind.

    Tip: Handy near the box or on a sprint down the wing, where the burst out of the fake takes you clear of the defender.

    Hold LB + press X or press B, then press A + move LS up-right

  • Flick Up

    Pops the ball up off the ground with a quick touch, lifting it into the air for your next action.

    Press RS

  • First Time Feint Turn

    Fakes the first touch as a pass arrives and turns away with the ball instead, changing direction as you receive it.

    Tip: It only triggers as a first touch, so have it ready before the ball reaches your player.

    Hold LB + hold RB + move LS down

2 Star Moves

Needs a player with at least two skill-move stars.

  • Feint Forward and Turn

    Shapes to push the ball forward, then turns back the other way with it, reversing your direction in one move.

    Tip: Simplified Skill Moves can also trigger it for lower-rated players, but that version is slower and more error-prone.

    Flick RS down then down

  • Body Feint Right

    Leans the body to the right in a quick fake, trying to get the defender to shift their weight that way.

    Tip: Fast and low-risk in a 1v1 on the wing; go the other way as soon as the defender leans with it.

    Flick RS left

  • Body Feint Left

    Leans the body to the left in a quick fake, trying to get the defender to shift their weight that way.

    Tip: Fast and low-risk in a 1v1 on the wing; go the other way as soon as the defender leans with it.

    Flick RS right

  • Stepover Right

    Swings the foot over the ball to the right without touching it, faking a move that way to unbalance the defender.

    Tip: Exit at a diagonal to keep your speed, and expect less of a burst than in past games, since FC 26 reduced it.

    Rotate RS clockwise from up to right

  • Stepover Left

    Swings the foot over the ball to the left without touching it, faking a move that way to unbalance the defender.

    Tip: Exit at a diagonal to keep your speed, and expect less of a burst than in past games, since FC 26 reduced it.

    Rotate RS counterclockwise from up to left

  • Reverse Stepover Right

    Circles the foot around the ball in the opposite direction to a standard stepover, faking to the right.

    Rotate RS counterclockwise from right to up

  • Reverse Stepover Left

    Circles the foot around the ball in the opposite direction to a standard stepover, faking to the left.

    Rotate RS clockwise from left to up

  • Ball Roll Left

    Rolls the ball sideways to the left under the sole, moving it out of a tackle or opening a new angle to pass or shoot.

    Tip: Roll into open space, not into traffic; it works well as a defender runs in to tackle you.

    Hold RS left

  • Ball Roll Right

    Rolls the ball sideways to the right under the sole, moving it out of a tackle or opening a new angle to pass or shoot.

    Tip: Roll into open space, not into traffic; it works well as a defender runs in to tackle you.

    Hold RS right

  • Drag Back

    Pulls the ball back under the sole and out of the defender's reach, letting you stop, turn or leave in another direction.

    Tip: Effective on the edge of the box, and FC 26 made the version done while jogging more effective.

    Press LB + press RB + flick LS down

3 Star Moves

Needs a player with at least three skill-move stars.

  • Heel Flick

    Uses the heel to flick the ball on while your player is moving, a quick change of rhythm against a defender.

    Flick RS up then down

  • Roulette Right

    Drags the ball back with one foot and spins to the right, taking it on with the other while the body shields it.

    Tip: Time it for a defender lunging in, spinning around the challenge while your body keeps the ball away from them.

    Rotate RS clockwise from down to right

  • Roulette Left

    Drags the ball back with one foot and spins to the left, taking it on with the other while the body shields it.

    Tip: Time it for a defender lunging in, spinning around the challenge while your body keeps the ball away from them.

    Rotate RS counterclockwise from down to left

  • Fake Left & Go Right

    Shows the ball to the left with a fake, then takes it away to the right, trying to send the defender the wrong way.

    Rotate RS counterclockwise from left to right

  • Fake Right & Go Left

    Shows the ball to the right with a fake, then takes it away to the left, trying to send the defender the wrong way.

    Rotate RS clockwise from right to left

  • Heel Chop Left

    While running

    Chops the ball sharply across the body with the heel while running, changing direction to the left in one touch.

    Tip: Useful for cutting inside from the wing or near the box, where it catches defenders stepping in to block.

    Hold LT + press X or press B, then press A + hold LS left

  • Heel Chop Right

    While running

    Chops the ball sharply across the body with the heel while running, changing direction to the right in one touch.

    Tip: Useful for cutting inside from the wing or near the box, where it catches defenders stepping in to block.

    Hold LT + press X or press B, then press A + hold LS right

  • Feint Left & Exit Right

    Feints to the left with the body, then exits with the ball to the right past a defender who reacted to the feint.

    Rotate RS counterclockwise from left to right

  • Feint Right & Exit Left

    Feints to the right with the body, then exits with the ball to the left past a defender who reacted to the feint.

    Rotate RS clockwise from right to left

  • Stutter Feint

    Adds a quick side-to-side hesitation to the stride, freezing the defender for a moment before you accelerate past.

    Tip: Try it on a defender who is squared up and jockeying, then sprint into the gap while they pause.

    Hold LT + move RS left then right or move RS right then left

4 Star Moves

Needs a player with at least four skill-move stars.

  • Ball Hop

    While standing

    Jumps over the ball from a standstill, a small piece of footwork before you move off with it.

    Hold LB + press RS

  • Ball Roll Drag

    Rolls the ball across with the inside of one foot, drags it back with the other, then moves off in a new direction.

    Tip: Works down the wing or inside the box; change the exit angle each time so the defender cannot read it.

    Hold LB + flick RS up then left or flick RS up then right

  • Drag Back Turn

    Steps on the ball and dips one way with the body before shifting it the other way, turning out of pressure.

    Tip: Most useful as you receive the ball with a defender close, to get away before they can tackle.

    Hold LT + hold RS down

  • Flair Nutmegs

    Slips the ball through or past the defender with a quick flick in your chosen direction while staying compact.

    Tip: Use it on a close, aggressive defender; avoid it while sprinting or when several defenders surround you.

    Hold LB + hold RB + flick RS in any direction

  • Heel to Heel

    Knocks the ball from one heel to the other, then bursts away into space past the defender.

    Tip: Save it for open space ahead; in tight areas the touch can run too far from your player.

    Flick RS up then down

  • Simple Rainbow

    Rolls the ball up the back of the leg and flicks it in an arc over your head and the defender in front.

    Tip: Try it with one defender in front of you; a defender closing from behind can steal it as you set it up.

    Flick RS down then up

  • Spin Left

    Spins around with the ball to the left, turning away from the defender while keeping it close.

    Hold LT + hold RB + rotate RS counterclockwise from down to left

  • Spin Right

    Spins around with the ball to the right, turning away from the defender while keeping it close.

    Hold LT + hold RB + rotate RS clockwise from down to right

  • Stop and Turn Left

    While running

    Plants a foot as if turning one way, then pivots around the ball and leaves to the left with it.

    Tip: Not only for wingers: it helps a central midfielder spin away from the press and open space for a pass.

    Flick RS up then left

  • Stop and Turn Right

    While running

    Plants a foot as if turning one way, then pivots around the ball and leaves to the right with it.

    Tip: Not only for wingers: it helps a central midfielder spin away from the press and open space for a pass.

    Flick RS up then right

  • Ball Roll Cut Left

    Rolls the ball to the right, then cuts back across the body to go left, changing direction twice in quick succession.

    Hold RS left + hold LS right

  • Ball Roll Cut Right

    Rolls the ball to the left, then cuts back across the body to go right, changing direction twice in quick succession.

    Hold RS right + hold LS left

  • Fake Pass

    While standing

    Winds up a pass from a standstill and pulls out of it, trying to get the defender to commit to blocking it.

    Tip: Useful inside the opponent's box to create a little space when you have been brought to a stop.

    Hold RT + press X or press B, then press A

  • Fake Pass Exit Left

    While standing

    Fakes a pass from a standstill, then moves off diagonally to the left with the ball, adding an exit to the fake pass.

    Hold RT + press X or press B, then press A + move LS up-left

  • Fake Pass Exit Right

    While standing

    Fakes a pass from a standstill, then moves off diagonally to the right with the ball, adding an exit to the fake pass.

    Hold RT + press X or press B, then press A + move LS up-right

  • Quick Ball Rolls

    Rolls the ball under the sole with a run of quick, repeated touches, keeping it tight to your player.

    Hold RS down

  • Lane Change Left

    Swaps the ball quickly from one foot to the other to slide it sideways to the left, past a defender's reach.

    Tip: FC 26 made it faster and it no longer pushes the ball forward at the end, so it stays close in tight spaces.

    Hold LB + hold RS left

  • Lane Change Right

    Swaps the ball quickly from one foot to the other to slide it sideways to the right, past a defender's reach.

    Tip: FC 26 made it faster and it no longer pushes the ball forward at the end, so it stays close in tight spaces.

    Hold LB + hold RS right

  • Three Touch Roulette Left

    Spins to the left over three quick touches instead of the two in a standard roulette, turning the ball around the defender.

    Hold LT + flick RS down then left

  • Three Touch Roulette Right

    Spins to the right over three quick touches instead of the two in a standard roulette, turning the ball around the defender.

    Hold LT + flick RS down then right

  • Drag Back Spin Left

    Drags the ball back and spins with it to the left, turning away from a defender coming at you.

    Flick RS down then left

  • Drag Back Spin Right

    Drags the ball back and spins with it to the right, turning away from a defender coming at you.

    Flick RS down then right

  • Drag to Heel

    Drags the ball back with the sole, then pushes it on with the heel to change direction.

    Hold LB + flick RS down then left or flick RS down then right

  • Heel to Ball Roll

    Starts like Heel to Heel but finishes with a sideways roll of the sole, moving the ball left or right past the defender.

    Tip: Suits a 1v1 inside the box or down the wing, and can unbalance a goalkeeper as well as a defender.

    Hold LB + flick RS up then down

  • Ball Roll Cut

    Rolls the ball and cuts it back a half turn, reversing direction to find space away from the defender.

    Hold LB + flick RS down then down

5 Star Moves

Needs a player with five skill-move stars.

  • Elastico

    Pushes the ball out with the outside of the foot, then whips it back inside with the same foot, sending the defender the wrong way.

    Tip: Suited to crowded moments in the box, when there is no room to run and the defender is within touching distance.

    Rotate RS clockwise from right to left

  • Reverse Elastico

    Mirrors the elastico, showing the ball inside first and then taking it away with the outside of the foot.

    Tip: Try it in a 1v1 near the box or when cutting inside from a flank; far from goal it adds little.

    Rotate RS counterclockwise from left to right

  • Advanced Rainbow

    Lifts the ball up the back of the leg and over your head and the defender, with an extra setup touch beyond the simple rainbow.

    Tip: Once the ball is over, chase it past the defender or line up a volley as it comes down.

    Flick RS down, then hold RS up, then flick RS up

  • Hocus Pocus

    Scoops the ball behind the standing leg with one foot and pushes it on with the other, a sudden change of direction.

    Rotate RS clockwise from down to left, then rotate RS counterclockwise from left to right

  • Triple Elastico

    Chains a small push one way into a full elastico back the other way, a quick run of touches that can freeze a defender.

    Rotate RS counterclockwise from down to right, then rotate RS clockwise from right to left

  • Ball Roll & Flick Left

    While running

    Rolls the ball across to the left and flicks it forward in stride, keeping your run going.

    Hold RS left, then flick RS up

  • Ball Roll & Flick Right

    While running

    Rolls the ball across to the right and flicks it forward in stride, keeping your run going.

    Hold RS right, then flick RS up

  • Heel Flick Turn

    Turns the body and redirects the ball with a flick of the heel, a deceptive change of direction.

    Hold LT + hold RB + flick RS up then down

  • Sombrero Flick

    While standing

    Pops the ball up and lifts it over the head of the defender in front, so you can run on and collect it behind them.

    Tip: Use it as a defender closes in on your stationary player; under heavy pressure the flick is easy to lose.

    Flick RS up then up then down

  • Turn & Spin Left

    Turns into a spin with the ball to the left, changing the direction of play in one fluid movement.

    Flick RS up then left

  • Turn & Spin Right

    Turns into a spin with the ball to the right, changing the direction of play in one fluid movement.

    Flick RS up then right

  • Ball Roll Fake Left

    While standing

    Starts a ball roll to the left, then stops it and takes the ball back to the right to wrong-foot the defender.

    Hold RS left, then flick RS right

  • Ball Roll Fake Right

    While standing

    Starts a ball roll to the right, then stops it and takes the ball back to the left to wrong-foot the defender.

    Hold RS right, then flick RS left

  • Ball Roll Fake Turn

    Fakes a ball roll, then turns sharply away with the ball, throwing a defender who reacted to the roll off balance.

    Hold LT + flick RS up then left or flick RS up then right

  • Rabona Fake

    While jogging

    Shapes to strike with the kicking leg wrapped behind the standing leg, then pulls out, stopping and wrong-footing the defender.

    Hold LT + press X or press B, then press A + move LS down

  • Elastico Chop Left

    Opens like an elastico, then chops the ball away to the left rather than simply snapping it back.

    Hold LT + hold RB + rotate RS clockwise from right to left

  • Elastico Chop Right

    Opens like an elastico, then chops the ball away to the right rather than simply snapping it back.

    Hold LT + hold RB + rotate RS counterclockwise from left to right

  • Spin Flick

    Spins with the ball and flicks it away in a new direction, a sudden turn to make room from a defender.

    Hold LT + hold RB + flick RS up then right

  • Flick Over

    Flicks the ball up and over, lifting it past a defender's challenge as your player moves on.

    Hold RS up

  • Tornado Spin

    Whirls around with the ball in a spinning turn to escape a defender who is closing you down.

    Hold LT + hold RB + flick RS up then left

  • Heel Fake

    Fakes a touch with the heel, a small, quick dummy meant to confuse the defender before you move off.

    Tip: EA introduced it as a move done from a standing position, so try it once your player has stopped.

    Hold LT + move RS left then right or move RS right then left

  • Flair Rainbow

    Flicks the ball over the head with extra flair, the most elaborate of the rainbow variants, and can set up a volley.

    Tip: Suited to a solo run at a tight defense; as with any rainbow, avoid it with a defender right behind you.

    Hold LB + flick RS down then up

Juggling Tricks

Tricks with the ball in the air.

  • Sombrero Flick Backwards

    While juggling, lifts the ball back over your head so your player can turn and take it behind them.

    Hold LT + hold RB + move LS down

  • Sombrero Flick Left

    While juggling, lifts the ball over your head and off to the left, moving it past a defender in the air.

    Hold LT + hold RB + move LS left

  • Sombrero Flick Right

    While juggling, lifts the ball over your head and off to the right, moving it past a defender in the air.

    Hold LT + hold RB + move LS right

  • Around the World

    Circles the foot all the way around the ball while it is in the air, then carries on juggling.

    Tip: Juggling tricks trade efficiency for style, so save this for when no defender is pressing you.

    Hold LT + rotate RS in a full clockwise circle

  • In Air Elastico

    Plays an elastico on the ball in mid-air, pushing it out and back with the same foot while juggling.

    Hold LT + flick RS right then left

  • Reverse In Air Elastico

    Runs the in-air elastico the other way round, reversing the order of the two touches while the ball stays up.

    Hold LT + flick RS left then right

  • Flick Up

    Knocks the ball higher out of a juggle to set it up for a volley.

    Hold LS up

  • Chest Flick

    Brings the chest into the juggle, popping the ball up off it to keep the trick going.

    Hold LT + double-tap RS

  • T. Around the World

    Follows an around the world with an upward flick, sending the ball higher to finish the trick.

    Hold LT + rotate RS in a full clockwise circle, then flick RS up