Do you want to dominate on the pitch in FC26? Imagine beating one, two, three, even four defenders, creating one-on-one chances with the goalkeeper, and scoring stunning goals. Or maybe you want to master keeping the ball close to your feet, creating space, and waiting for teammates to make runs. Today, I’m breaking down everything you need to know to dribble like a pro in FC26.

Before we dive into the techniques, let’s quickly cover a few essential game settings that will instantly improve your dribbling performance. These are used by all the top players and make your gameplay faster, smoother, and more responsive. Having enough EAFC 26 Coins can also be very helpful.

Optimize Your Game Settings

Gameplay Preset

Avoid the "Authentic" preset—it slows down player movement and responsiveness. Instead, switch to the Competitive preset, which makes your player reactions extremely fast. This is crucial for high-level dribbling.

Camera Angles

Use Tele Broadcast with custom settings. Set the camera height to 20 and zoom to 0. This gives you better field vision and makes dribbling feel more responsive.

Graphics Mode

On PlayStation 5 or Xbox, select the graphics mode that maximizes responsiveness. This makes the ball and players react faster, giving you a smoother dribbling experience.

With these adjustments, you’ll immediately feel the difference. Now let’s get into the techniques.

L1 / LB Dribbling – Close Control & Creating Space

The first essential dribbling technique uses L1 on PlayStation or LB on Xbox. Hold this button while moving the left stick to make your player perform special dribbles, keeping the ball extremely close to their feet.

Use Cases:

Hold the ball while waiting for teammates to make runs.

Create space in tight situations.

Break through defensive lines for a pass or shot.

Example:

Imagine your striker has no nearby passing options. By holding L1/LB and moving the stick, you can maneuver around defenders, draw them out, and open gaps for a through ball to a teammate running into the box. This technique is perfect for controlling the tempo and creating opportunities.

Best Players for L1 Dribbling:

Focus on stats like agility, balance, reaction, composure, and ball control. Additionally, Rapid or Rapid+ play styles enhance your L1 dribbling effectiveness, letting you maneuver faster than anyone else on the pitch.

R1 / RB Dribbling – Beat Defenders & One-on-One Situations

For aggressive dribbling and attacking runs, the R1 on PlayStation or RB on Xbox is your go-to technique. Hold R1 and use the left stick to dribble past defenders in tight zigzag motions. This allows you to bypass multiple opponents and create scoring chances.

Example 1:

Take possession with Francesco Totti. An opponent blocks your path. Hold R1 and weave left and right with the left stick. You’ll bypass the defender, maintain control, and enter a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper.

Example 2:

Facing two defenders? Keep holding R1 while adjusting the left stick to move around each defender. With practice, it becomes almost impossible for them to stop you.

R1 as First Touch:

This variation is extremely effective. When receiving a pass, hold R1 as the ball reaches your player, take control instantly, and turn with the left stick. Combine this with sprinting to launch immediate attacks and break defensive lines.

Best Players for R1 Dribbling:

Look for high dribbling stats: agility, balance, reaction, ball control, and composure. Play styles like Technical, Technical+, or Rapid/Rapid+ drastically improve effectiveness, making your dribbling unmatched.

Combining Dribbling Techniques

Use L1 dribbling to buy time and create space, then switch to R1 when attacking or taking on defenders directly. The combination lets you control the tempo, exploit gaps, and confidently set up scoring opportunities. Mastering both techniques is key to becoming a complete dribbler in FC26.

Key Tips for Dribbling Like a Pro

Patience is critical – L1 dribbling is about ball control, while R1 is about aggression and beating opponents. Knowing when to switch between them is crucial.

Practice zigzag movements – R1 dribbling works best when you vary your left stick movements, making it hard for defenders to predict your path.

Use sprint wisely – Combine dribbling with sprinting to explode past defenders, but avoid losing control of the ball.

Player selection matters – Always choose players with high dribbling stats and the right play style. This maximizes the success of both L1 and R1 techniques.

Conclusion

Becoming a dribbling god in FC26 is all about mastering the L1/LB and R1/RB techniques, optimizing your settings, and knowing which players to use. L1 dribbling helps maintain control and create space, while R1 dribbling allows you to beat defenders and create scoring opportunities. Combine both techniques, adjust your gameplay presets, and select the right players to dominate every match.

With practice, you’ll find yourself breaking lines, creating chances, and scoring like a pro. Start implementing these tips today, and soon you’ll be one of the top dribblers in FC26. A large number of FC 26 Coins can also be very helpful.