Does Playing Fifa Help With Soccer? Full Guide [2023]

Does playing FIFA help with soccer?

This is an intriguing question that a lot of people have been asking among both gamers and footballers.

After all, with the realism of the recent titles, the virtual game seems to look more and more like actual football itself.

So in this article, we are going to delve deep into this, going through whether getting your hands on Fifa could actually make you an even better footballer.

Table of Contents

Benefits of playing FIFA for soccer players

Playing Fifa nowadays is much more than it has ever been,

With all the different tactics and skills that have been put into the recent editions of the games.

It means gamers of the title, are able to reach a much deeper understanding of the world game.

Arguably more than ever before.

So let’s now have a look at what soccer players can get through playing Fifa, and how it can give them an edge in real life.

Improved Soccer Knowledge And Understanding

If you had no idea how to play soccer.

Then picking up a title like Fifa and playing it for a long period of time, will teach you a lot about the game.

Even if you haven’t kicked a ball on a pitch.

Now of course here I am talking about the mental advantage as opposed to the physical one.

However you would be surpised at how much effect putting in hours on a computer game would do.

Has with Fifa and especially its latest editions, you can learn so much about the game.

Just by playing match after match.

You learn how players move around the field.

The strengths and weaknesses of footballers.

The tactics and strategy’s, for various stages in the game.

That would mimic those used by actual football coaches.

Learning the best times to attack a team, when your chasing a game.

As well the times to sit back, when the game is tight and you have something to lose.

These are all things, that can be taken straight to the field.

For me I have been playing football for over 15 years, starting before I even picked up an edition of Fifa.

But I would certainly say that in those early years.

Fifa improved my understandings of the game, and expanded my soccer knowledge further.

Enhanced decision-making skills on the field

Playing Fifa is also a great way to improve your decision making.

Every time you play a match, you are put into a realitic virtual match, similar to playing in real life.

So guess what happens when you do this over and over again?

Well you start to become very familiar with the types of decisions that need to be made in certain scenarios.

To give you an example, lets say your playing a game of Fifa and your controlling one of your midfielders who has the ball.

Well going off your experience, you will be able to read not only how long you have to get the ball off.

But also what is going to be the best pass.

To ensure that you retain the ball.

Going through this same scenario in many different games, is going to give you a understanding of how to handle it.

Now lets be honest.

Executing on this pitch is a different matter, has you will need to have the physical skills to replicate this.

However the mental knowhow will be there, and you will have a good idea, of what to do.

Even if you can’t pull it off.

Now this will only be one of the benefits of learning decision making skills, as you will also get:

Improved awareness – Relating to the example I made, you are able to make better decisions when coming to passing and shooting. You are also able to see potential openings, opportunities and spaces through creating them on Fifa.
Enhanced strategic thinking – You will be able to read the game, and therefore be able to make better decisions through experience.
Quick decision-making – With Fifa and Football about making quick decisions you will be able to assess options and work out what to do.
Better anticipation – If you playing with your mates, you will start to recognise the decisions they make, making it easier to anticipate and predict what they are going to do next.
Improved problem-solving skills – Finding creative solutions to score goals or defend against attacks.

Fifa is never going to be a direct substitute to playing the real game.

However with the decision making skills you learn it prepares you well for the mental side of the game.

These can only be honed in the more you play Fifa and Football.

Development of tactical awareness and strategic thinking

If you played Fifa, even just a little bit.

You will know how important being tactically aware is.

As for many games, unless you can understand it, you will often find yourself falling short.

Which isn’t ideal if your trying to go on a run in Fut Champs.

But what playing Fifa does, is it forces you to learn more about tactics.

Whether this be refinining your own tactics, to give you the edge over your opponent.

Or understanding your opponents.

So you can spot attacking and defending patterns, to make it easier for you to defend and attack.

Through this process you gain a greater understanding of the role of each player.

When to use each one.

To give you an example, if your playing someone online who keeps using a fast winger to cut in to take shots outside of the box.

You will recognise the position that you need to put your full back to best defend against it.

Even more if you start to notice patterns where nearly all your opponents who use that player, use them in the same way.

You will know exactly what to expect.

Its this quick thinking, repetitive scenarios and strategy’s for defending and attacking, that gets you prepared for the actual soccer match.

Improvement of reflexes and coordination

The other benefit of playing Fifa is that it helps you with your reaction time and coordination.

This won’t nessscerailly translate to the pitch aswell as other benefits on this list.

Mainly because you use your hands to play Fifa.

The only area in your body that you can’t use to play the real game.

However what this does is it improves your reflexes and hand eye coordination.

Which only gets better the more you play Fifa.

Here is a great study that highlights just a few of the benefits that gamers get from playing Fifa.

On top of understanding the worlds popular game more.

How FIFA can aid in skill development

With the intricacy’s of Fifa, gamers can learn through the movement of every player in this virtual experience.

Through playing many matches of Fifa, you are able analyze more how players move, pass, shoot, skill and much more.

This has been made to be better then ever before, with the introduction of Hypermotion.

A technology that mimics the actions of actual players on the pitch.

This is a game changer, quite literally when you compare it to past few years.

As with previous titles especially the ones I grew up with in the noughties, players in Fifa would move more arcadey.

In fact it wasn’t until that period that you could move a player in a 360 degree movement.

So what does this mean, you can learn the skills that can be taken on board and used in the actual game. and strategies.

Practicing soccer techniques through simulated gameplay

If you have a title of Fifa, or are looking to get it your first one.

Let me tell you that the game mode ‘Practice Mode’ will be one of your favourites

Its been one of mine for years.

As I would often take to it, to try and master all the different skill moves.

That I could then use on opponents online.

But there was more to it then, skilling any opponent I matched with.

As I was able to learn more skills, that I could perform in my actual game.

Where that is croqueta, a step over or even a maradona turn.

Seeing the technique by a virtual player, over and over again.

Means you get to learn how its done, before you practice it on a actual field.

Its not just the skill aspect though.

That was just an example.

With it being one of my favourite additions to the FIFA titles.

But whether your using the practice arena or playing 11 vs 11, you can learn how to play certain moves.

When to act.

Where to be on the field, to do a certain action.

It all comes through simply practicing.

Which can only help you more when taking your game to real life.

Analysing player movements and strategies

If your new to football, you may not be aware with the movements of players.

And how different movements and stategys are unique to certain players.

Well using Fifa can help you recognise these skills, and potentially help you find yours.

Below is a table or a few players:

Player Name	Position	Movement	Strategy Investigate
Messi	Forward	Fast, agile	Dribble past defenders
Ronaldo	Striker	Powerful, direct	Score goals from long range
Modric	Midfielder	Smooth, intelligent	Accurate passing and playmaking
Van Dijk	Defender	Strong, commanding	Intercept opponents’ attacks

As you can see from the table it consists of professional players who have contrasting styles.

Now through analyzing players such as that, you get a good idea of what traits certain players have.

So for instance a player like Messi, is short fast and agile and can dribble fast.

Whether your controlling him or playing against him when playing Fifa.

You get to understand how a player of his traits plays.

Learning more about how to play like him or against him.

This will translate to real life.

As if you come across a short number 10, who can sprint fast and dribble well.

You will learn the strategy for defending him.

Just like how you have done when playing against him on Fifa.

Potential drawbacks or limitations of relying on FIFA for soccer improvement

For all the benefits of playing Fifa, there are has you would imagine a few drawbacks to the game title.

So in this section I am going to take you through what these are.

Differences between video game dynamics and real-life soccer

Playing Fifa and any type of video game is primarily entertainment.

Now while there are many pro gamers who play Fifa for a job.

The experience you get while twiddling your thumbs on that joystick.

Can’t be compared to a 90 minute game experience.

As most of the benefits you get from playing Fifa, in addition to the hand eye coordination benefit, is mostly mental.

Analyzing the game more in every aspect.

However its through playing the game in real life, that you will actually be able to take your game to the next level.

So lets have a look at what are the major differences between virtual and real life gameplay:

Video Games	Real-Life Soccer
Instant Gratification	Physicality & Stamina Required
Simplified Controls	Complex Skill Execution
Predictable Outcomes	Unforeseen Variables
Unrealistic Player Abilities	Human Limitations Applied

I have had days where I have played 10 hours playing Fifa, without getting tired.

Now while I don’t plan on replicating that any time soon.

The point I am making here, is that the physical demands of playing Fifa and football are so different.

As they say Football is one of the most demanding sports out there.

Which is probably a reason why most players retire quite early.

Has a real life soccer player must go through the physical strain of the game.

They also need to have top notch stamina to last the duration of a match.

This is where video games have no match.

Has you could be playing Fifa while curled in bed without even doing much.

This is though why the game is so popular.

It gives you an easy and rewarding experience without having to dart to and from your opponents penalty area.

So, how can we bridge the gap between video game dynamics and real-life soccer? Here are ideas:

Well In all my years of playing football, aside from my time on the injury list.

I would supplement any Fifa with in real life football.

As this balance between the two will ensure you keep growing as a footballer.

However let me tell you, if you have the option between the two.

I would always opt for real football, has you will still learn both the mental and physical side at the same time.

While Fifa can only offer the former.

Potential overreliance on virtual gameplay rather than real-world practice

So as you can Fifa can’t be a direct substitute for playing football.

As afterall while your able to learn how a player moves and how they execute moves.

Its one thing seeing it.

And its another thing executing it in real life.

As let me tell you when I tried to pull of skills in actual matches that I took from Fifa, it took me several attempts before I could do it well.

I think that right there gives you a good idea, of how the transition from a physical look isn’t easy.

Everything you learn from Fifa, will take hours of practice on the field, before you can do it in the same way.

That you could simply press a few buttons.

Another thing is the physical conditioning that you get from real practice.

A good football match or training session, will leave you panting.

That is because its so physically demanding.

So you won’t learn how to build yourself up to deal with that by playing Fifa.

You will need to get out there, whether that be playing Sunday League.

Or even six a side to learn how to.

Tips for utilizing FIFA to enhance soccer skills effectively

Fifa however can still enhance your soccer skills, if not directly to the physical side of playing.

The perfect recipe that I have found to work for myself, ever since I picked up my first title Fifa title in 2009.

Is to balance your gameplay, with actual soccer training.

Of which since I have become an adult has become a lot easier for me.

So incorporating this into your own life, will help you get better at both of them simultataneoly.

Setting specific goals and objectives

First thing you want to do is assess what goals and objectives you want to achieve.

If you want to learn more about a specific skill.

You could go to the practice arena like I did, and see how its done.

While also becoming more efficient at it, to beat opponents.

Alternatively you can go to YouTube which is a place that is filled with goals and skill based football content.

Which I recommend for any newbies looking to learn a certain play style

But what ever you try and master.

Make sure you identify the goals you have, and break them into smaller milsetones that are easier to achieve.

No mater how small it is.

Here you can use FIFA in tandem to analyze playstyles, skills, formations, etc to help too.

Balancing FIFA gameplay with actual soccer training

As I have gone over balance is key.

So if you are serious about getting better at football, you want to make sure you are actively playing football and training away.

Here are tips to make the most of FIFA:

Tactical Awareness: Get familiar with formations and tactics used in real-life matches.
Decision Making: Quickly think and act under pressure.
Technical Skills: Practice passing, shooting, dribbling, and defending.
Game Analysis: Learn about teams and players’ strengths and weaknesses.
Competitive Edge: Join online tournaments or play against friends.
Mental Toughness: Overcome challenges in the virtual world.

Utilizing FIFA as a supplement to real-life practice, not a substitute

Improving your soccer skills that are going to see you excel on the pitch.

Is going to start with on the pitch.

As that’s the only way to get better, in terms of execution.

But Fifa can still remain as a great tool to combine to learn various skills that you can look at practicing.

Here are some examples:

Benefits	Examples
Improving tactical awareness	Analyzing opponent strategies
Enhancing decision-making	Making split-second choices
Reinforcing muscle memory	Practicing specific moves repeatedly
Promoting teamwork	Coordinating plays with virtual teammates
Testing game scenarios	Simulating match situations

Conclusion

So conclude our discussion on how whether Fifa can help with playing soccer. Lets go over some of the good and the bad, that the virtual game can offer.

To start with lets go over the advantages.

Fifa is a gaming experience that is one of the closest you can get to the real thing, the only difference being instead of being on that field, you can play it from your own bedroom.

It helps you practice different strategy’s and learn more about the games tactics and players.

Its because of this its a great starting point, for anyone who is interesting in playing football and wants to learn more about the game, while having fun in the process.

Now while Fifa mimics soccer, there are downsides this consists of not being a direct replacement for the physical challenges that playing soccer gives.

You will also need actual experience in order to develop reflexes, coordination, and physical endurance.

But if you can combine both playing soccer virtually and in real life, you will be onto a winner.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How does playing FIFA help with soccer?

Playing FIFA can help improve your understanding of soccer tactics, strategies, and rules. It can enhance your decision-making skills, boost your visual perception, and help you analyze the game better.

2. Does playing FIFA improve actual soccer skills?

While playing FIFA can enhance your understanding of the game, it does not directly improve your physical soccer skills. However, it can indirectly enhance your gameplay by improving your cognitive abilities and decision-making on the field.

3. Can FIFA help improve my teamwork and communication in soccer?

Playing FIFA with friends or online can enhance your teamwork and communication skills. It allows you to practice coordinating with teammates, understanding their moves, and making quick decisions together.

4. Are there any drawbacks to solely playing FIFA for soccer improvement?

Solely relying on playing FIFA may limit your physical fitness, real-time adaptability, and actual on-field experience. It is essential to combine FIFA gameplay with regular physical training and real-life soccer practice for overall improvement.

5. Can FIFA help with learning soccer strategies and formations?

Yes, FIFA can be a valuable tool for learning soccer strategies and formations. It provides a platform to experiment with different formations and tactics, understand their strengths and weaknesses, and apply them while playing the game.

6. Is FIFA a substitute for physical soccer practice?

No, FIFA cannot be a complete substitute for physical soccer practice. While it can improve cognitive and decision-making abilities, real-life practice is essential to develop physical skills, agility, stamina, and teamwork required for soccer.