Alright, let’s talk about getting ready for FC 25, or at least how I started thinking about a training plan. Even though the game’s not out, you gotta start somewhere, right? I decided to use the current game, FC 24, as my testing ground to build some habits.
Getting Started: The Idea
So, I felt my game was getting a bit stale. Same old tactics, same mistakes. I figured I needed some structure. Not like a super rigid spreadsheet thing, but just a focus. I decided to work on my build-up play and finishing, ’cause that’s where I felt I was losing most games. Too predictable going forward, and then fluffing chances.
The Actual Doing Part
First up, I dedicated specific time. Didn’t want to burn out, so I aimed for like 3-4 sessions a week, maybe 45 minutes to an hour each. Any more and it feels like a chore.
Practice Arena: I started simple. Just went into the practice arena. Spent maybe 10-15 minutes just dribbling around, trying different skill moves – not the flashy stuff, but the useful ones like ball rolls, fake shots, simple body feints. Getting the feel back, you know? Then I practiced different kinds of shots: finesse shots from outside the box, low driven shots inside. Tried to get the timing right, especially with timed finishing on.
Skill Games: Next, I hit the skill games. Focused heavily on the passing drills – the ones where you have to thread passes through tight spaces or do quick one-twos. Honestly, some of these are annoying, but they do force you to be precise. Also did the shooting drills, trying to beat the keeper consistently.
Putting it into Practice (Sort of): This was key. Drills are one thing, but you need game pressure. I didn’t jump straight into Rivals. Instead, I played Squad Battles on a higher difficulty than usual, like Legendary or Ultimate. My goal wasn’t necessarily to win, but to specifically try the things I practiced. So, forcing myself to build up slowly using the passing patterns, trying those specific shots I drilled. It was frustrating sometimes, the AI can be relentless, but it was lower stakes than online.
- Focused Build-up: Consciously avoided just sprinting down the wing. Tried to use midfielders, look for triangles, switch play.
- Shot Selection: Didn’t just blast it. Tried to create space for the finesse or get close enough for a powerful low shot.
- Defending (Bonus): Playing the tougher AI also made me focus more on defending, jockeying, and timing tackles. Wasn’t the main goal, but a nice side effect.
What I Noticed
It took a bit, maybe a week or so, to feel any different. At first, I was actually playing worse in Squad Battles because I was thinking too much instead of playing naturally. But slowly, some things started to click.
The Good: My passing in the final third definitely felt a bit sharper. I was seeing options I didn’t before. Timed finishing got slightly more consistent, though still not perfect. The dribbling practice made me a bit better at holding the ball under pressure.
The Bad: It’s easy to fall back into old habits, especially when a game gets tense. Sometimes I’d just forget the plan and go route one. Also, translating skill game success to a real match isn’t always 1-to-1. The pressure changes everything.
So, What Now?
I think having some kind of plan, even a loose one like this, is better than just grinding games mindlessly. It gives you something to focus on. I’ll probably keep this routine going, maybe swap out the skill games or focus areas depending on what feels weakest next. When FC 25 actually drops, I’ll adapt based on how the new game feels, but the core idea of practice arena + skill games + controlled match practice seems like a decent base. It’s not rocket science, just putting in a bit of deliberate effort. Definitely felt I got something out of it rather than just playing endless Rivals matches and getting annoyed.
