KICK OFF - HINTS As your opponent gets ready to make a shot hold down fire and it will be blocked. 1. To score within the first few seconds of a restart, trap the ball, charge straight up the pitch and shoot as you approach the penalty spot - there is a good chance it'll go in. The computer teams are wise to this tactic, but they tend to foul you on the way instead of tackling, so the run can continue from the free kick - you may even get a penalty! If someone uses this tactic against you, the best thing to do is intercept the attacker - don't just chase him. Wait for control to switch to a defender in his path and then move up the pitch towards him to make the tackle. However, because everything happens so fast, it is frequently a matter of resorting to hacking the attacker mercilesly to the ground - brutally effective. 2. Corners Another good scoring chance. There are two main method for putting the ball in the net. Either pull the ball back into the middle of the penalty area where a waiting player can blast it home, or float it across the goal mouth for an incoming forward to nudge it in - there is a good possibility that the ball will even curve in and score directly this way. Never hit the ball low to near post because the keeper will always collect it. Also beware of lofting the ball deep into the area because in this position it is much harder to control. Defending against corners is difficult. You quickly have to spot what sort of kick is being taken and then get someone to the ball to clear it. The most dangerous kick is the in-swinger across the goal, because you are likely to put it in you own net! With these you just have to hope everyone misses and it goes past. 3. Penalties A 90% success rate can be achieved by following these instructions. Wait until the arrow is approaching the middle point and give a sharp tap on the fire button. Anything more than the shortest of taps will send the ball sailing over the crossbar. If you leave the shot until the arrow has reached or goes past the middle, the ball will almost certainly go wide. 4. Throw-Ins Don't hack the ball straight upfield from a throw in, because it invariably goes out again. What you have to do is angle the ball infield before kicking it. Alternatively, you can dribble the ball, but this is more hazadous because there are always opposition players at close range to throw-ins that may tackle you. 5. Passing And Shooting There are two main methods for kicking the ball - the kick-on-the-run and the trap-and-kick. The KOTR is quicker and goes further, but it is very hard to get it to go anywhere other than the direction you've been running - although 45,90 and even 180 degree changes of the direction are possible with a quick change of joystick angle just as the ball is kicked. This is also the method for changing direction when dribbling. To perform the trap-and-kick method, the fire button has to be pressed down just before the player runs into the ball, then held. He can then swivel round freely and kick the ball in any direction by releasing the button. Theoretically, it will be passed to another player, but you still have to aim. This is particularly handy if you are running in the wrong direction and when used well can result in very accurate and satisfying safe passing manoeuvres. 6. Dribbling Because the ball i not `stuck' to the end of your boot as in most other footy games, dribbling is an art that has to be learnt. Running in a straight line is easy, but changing direction isn't. 45 degree changes are possible by hitting the diagonal at the moment, but anything else requires a quick sidestep or detour around the ball, so that it can be approached from another angle. It sounds difficult, but with practice you get used to the timing of the actual contacts with the ball while dribbling, so that changes of direction can be made quickly and easily. 7. Tackling The easiest method of dispossesing someone on the ball is just to run into them. However, if you're approaching from behind and they are getting ever nearer to the goal, have no hesitation in hacking them down - as long as it is outside the penalty area. Professional fouls are best used when the ref is easy-going - or better still blind!! 8. Referees Pay attention early on how the ref reacts to fouls. If he is whistle- happy then try to dribble with the ball a lot. Hopefully, several of the opposition will get sent off or give away penalties. If he does not give yellow cards straight away, then feel free to hack the opposition down whenever necessary. 9. Goal Kicks It's crucial to learn how to win the ball from the goal kicks and again there are two main methods. Either time the run to collide with the ball just as it bounces, allowing you to dribble away immediately, or hit the fire button with the joystick centred to leap into the air and head the ball on. The second tactic can gain valuable ground quickly. If these prove too difficult then try to trap the ball when it comes down by holding down the fire button. 10. Human Opponents They are very susceptible to the charge straight up the pitch, so always go for it. Try to trap the ball in the penalty area and wait for your panicking opponent to hack you down, giving a penalty. It works a treat - and will really annoy them, to boot! One final tip for when playing against a human opponent... Whenver you score a goal, shout "YEAH!" really loudly and repeatedly punch the air. This doesn't half rattle your opponent! 11. Computer Opponents Possession is the key: give them too many chances and they will always score. Go for 4-4-2 or 5-3-2 formations so that you have plenty of defensive and midfield control. 4-3-3 is pretty useless and 4-2-4 is only for the brave who reckon they can out-play the computer - a tall order. The ultimate challenge is the USSR team because they are so fast. The trick to remember with them is not to futiley chase the ball-carrier with your (generally slower) players, but to wait for control to switch to a player in his path, then clear from the tackle.