One of the most popular defensive techniques in FIFA 08 is the slide tackle. By attacking the man with the ball and hitting the square (PS3) / X (360) button, your defender will go to the ground and slide for the ball. The advantage to this is a hard challenge that makes it nearly impossible for the attacker to dribble around the defense. One of two things will happen - either the defense will tackle the ball away or the defense will foul the player and a free kick will be awarded. Many times it's a risk worth taking for the defense because the stoppage of play lets the defense reset and recover. This can be extremely frustrating as an attacker. By utilizing the Blanco hop you can now make the defense pay for going to the ground.
How to Execute this Skill Move
Step 1 -Hold the left trigger (also known as the L2 button)
Step 2 - While holding the left trigger, click down on the right analog stick (R3).
SportsGamer tip: To perform this well, the attacker must be stopped with the ball at his feet. To stop with the ball, tap L1 / LB.
Play Breakdown
Utilizing the Blanco Hop is a very easy, and very effective way to frustrate defenders and make them think twice about using the slide tackle to slow you down. The key to pulling this move off is to make sure you are in total control of your attacker. Too often I see gamers holding the turbo button (right trigger) and not keeping the ball at their feet. As you can see in the above example the attacker is in the midfield with the ball in total control. We gain this composure by tapping the L1 button to stop the ball facing the goal. You can see in the image to the right that the defender has decided to attack the ball.
As the defender starts his slide tackle, we begin our skill move. To perform the Blanco Hop, you simply hold down the left trigger (L2), and simultaneously click in on the right analog stick. The ball must be in control at your feet for this to work, but overall this is a very simple, effective move. You can see that as the defender slides, we flip the ball up with both feet and jump over the grounded player.
After this move is performed often the attacker will slightly stumble, as you can see in the image to the right. However, with the defense on the ground you will have plenty of time to grab the ball and move into the attack. You will sometimes still see the defense get called for a foul, but typically the referee will play the advantage and let you continue your run.
Final Thoughts
Skill moves in FIFA 08 are very important to polishing your game. The Blanco Hop is a very easy move to add to your set of moves, and it is a constant reminder to stay in control of the ball. It's very easy to get out of control and find yourself sitting on the turbo button - but truly creative play comes from great passing and patience, not an all-out sprint for the goal. Learn to mix this skill move into your game to earn bragging rights over your opponents.
