Top 5 FC 26 Skill Moves That Still Work After the Latest Gameplay Update

You originally drafted this as an FC 25 “post-update” piece — I’ve rebuilt it for EA SPORTS FC 26, expanded it into a full, user-first article, and updated the technical bits using recent patch notes + current FC 26 skill-move controls. 

If you’re trying to play FUT seriously this year, here’s the truth: dribbling isn’t just “nice to have” in FC 26 — it’s a survival tool. And after the FC 26 v1.1.0 gameplay update (Oct 23, 2025), EA specifically called out changes around dribbling/skill moves (ball trapping consistency, and cases where requested skill moves didn’t trigger correctly). 
 

So instead of throwing 25 random tricks at you, I’m giving you 5 skill moves that are actually practical — the kind you can learn fast, use under pressure, and build habits around.
 

And quick GameCurrency note before we dive in: if your biggest blocker is simply not having enough coins to build a fun team of proper dribblers, you can upgrade your squad the easy way with FC 26 Coins 💰, or plan your build first on FC 26 Squads ✅. If you’re crafting upgrades through challenges, our SBC Solver saves a ridiculous amount of time too.

Why skill moves matter more in FC 26 (especially after updates)
 

FC 26’s gameplay rewards quick changes of direction and clean execution. You’ll feel it the moment you hit higher-division matches: defenders don’t just “run at you” — they wait, jockey, and punish predictable dribbling. That’s why skill moves become your way to manufacture space when passing lanes vanish.
 

Also, with the v1.1.0 update, EA addressed a few dribbling/skill-move issues (like trapping consistency and moments where a requested move didn’t happen). That matters because the whole point of using a skill is reliability — you can’t build an attack around a move that sometimes doesn’t register. 

The GameCurrency rule for skill moves (so you don’t rage-quit) 

Here’s the mindset that makes skill moves work:

You don’t use a move to look flashy.
You use a move to force a defender to commit — then you exit in the opposite direction.
 

If you do a move and keep running straight, you’re basically announcing: “I’m doing skills but I’m not actually dangerous.” The best FC players use one move, get the defender leaning, and explode into the space that opens.

Quick control cheat sheet (PlayStation / Xbox)

These are the same core inputs most people use on PS5/PS4 and Xbox controllers. (If you’ve changed controller settings, treat this as a reference and test in Arena.)

(Controls + star ratings referenced from Red Bull’s FC 26 skill moves guide.)

1) Big Feint (2★) — the “cheap” move that wins games 

Big Feint is one of those moves that looks basic… until you realise how often it forces a defender to bite. It’s perfect when you’re dribbling near the edge of the box and you want a quick angle shift without gambling on a complicated animation.
 

The reason it works is simple: defenders react to your body shape. The Big Feint exaggerates that shape change, and in FC 26’s faster gameplay, that half-step of hesitation is enough for a pass, a finesse angle, or one more touch into the box.

How to use it like a real weapon:
Don’t spam it in open space. Use it when the defender is close enough to tackle you if you stay predictable. That’s when they’re most likely to commit.

Controls (PS/Xbox): hold L2/LT + push RS left/right, then exit with LS. 

2) Stop And Go (2★) — the sprint killer ⚡

Stop And Go is criminally underrated, mostly because people do it at the wrong time. The moment you’re sprinting in a straight line, good defenders already know the outcome: you’ll either keep running or try a cut. Stop And Go breaks that rhythm instantly.
 

This move is best on the wing or just outside the box when the opponent is tracking your run and you can feel them matching your pace. You “freeze” the play for a split second… and that’s exactly when the defender oversteps.
 

The GameCurrency tip:
Use Stop And Go once, then don’t immediately sprint again. Take one controlled touch first. That’s what makes the defender panic.

Controls (PS/Xbox): hold L2/LT + push RS back/forward. 

3) Stepover + Reverse Stepover (2★) — still meta, still annoying 

If FC had a “most timeless move” award, stepovers would be on the podium every year. The reason they keep working isn’t magic — it’s because they’re versatile. You can do them while moving, you can change exit direction late, and you can chain them into a burst.
 

In FC 26, stepovers shine when you’re 1v1 and the defender is trying to mirror your movement. The stepover forces them to guess whether you’re cutting inside or going line-side. Guessing wrong means they’re behind the play.

When to use it:

• Wing 1v1s (classic)
• Just outside the box when you’re looking for the shooting lane
• Counterattacks when the defender is sprinting back and can’t jockey properly

Controls:
Stepover and Reverse Stepover are executed by rotating RS in different directions (standard path vs the reverse path). 

4) Explosive Stepover (3★) — the FC 26 speed boost (NEW) 

This is one of the new FC 26 skill moves, and it’s built for exactly what its name suggests: creating a sudden burst after the move. It’s ridiculously good when you want the defender to hesitate for a moment — then you accelerate into the gap.
 

Where it really shines is when you’re jogging or coming out of controlled dribbling. You hit it, the defender pauses, and you’re already gone.

How to not waste it:
Don’t do it miles away from anyone. The “explosive” part matters only when the defender is close enough to be forced into a reaction.

Controls (PS/Xbox): hold L1/LB, then push RS in the direction you’re running → then left or right. 

5) Drag To Heel (4★) — the “I’m cutting inside now” move 

Drag To Heel is a 4-star move, so not every player can do it — but if you’ve got a winger or CAM with 4★ skills, this is one of the cleanest ways to beat a fullback who’s trying to block your route.
 

It’s especially nasty near the byline and in those “tight corridor” situations where the defender thinks they’ve pinned you. Drag To Heel lets you shift the ball and angle away from the tackle line — and suddenly you’ve created either a cutback lane or a shooting pocket.

Controls (PS/Xbox): hold L1/LB + RS down, then RS left/right. 

How to pick the right move (without overthinking)

If you want a simple rule that actually works:

• If you’re under pressure and need a quick angle: Big Feint
• If you’re being chased and want the defender to overrun: Stop And Go
• If it’s a pure 1v1 and you need a consistent “exit”: Stepover
• If you want a burst past the defender (and you’ve got 3★): Explosive Stepover
• If you’re in tight space and need a clean cut: Drag To Heel

And yes — all of these moves become 10x scarier when you’re using the right players. That’s why most FUT players build around agile attackers with real dribbling stats and the correct skill-star level. If you’re currently stuck with “budget dribblers”, upgrading is usually faster through coins or SBCs — and that’s where FC 26 Coins and our SBC Solver make a huge difference (less grind, more gameplay).