Audio icon in FIFA 12 match

After playing ~250 multiplayer matches now, I think I can add some of my own suggestions:

• Using contain/A outside of the one third is quite useless, because there is usually enough space for the attacker to make a safe pass and there usually won't be another defender close enough to help you.
• Instead, if you want to play apply pressure on your opponent early on, try to surprise him by running into him and tackling with B. This should be done with offensive players whom the attacker has already passed, so you don't leave any gaps open in your defensive rows.
• Anticipate passes. It's very hard in the beginning, but once you get to know the different types of players you will get a good idea to where they will likely pass. Even if you don't actually intercept the pass, running towards the pass target will give you a good chance to get the ball by pressing.
• In your defensive third, don't fall for dribbling. The worst thing you can do is pressing tackle or even slide tackle too early, leaving your player 'paralyzed' for a second and opening up the way to the goal. Be patient.
• In contrast to the above tip, don't be too patient. If you leave a good player too much time to figure out how to crack your defensive line, and especially if you let him run circles around your goal, he will sooner or later find a gap or a good position for a distance shot. If you notice he is up to something, break out of containing, try to get him with a tackle and call a second player to help you.
• Calling a second player is usually very helpful when you're trying to contain your opponent, but it will often leave you open for 1-2-passes or even worse, open a yawning gap in your defense line. Use it sparingly, and most importantly, if you notice that you are calling an essential defender, abort your call.
• Preventing the opponent from getting to your wings into a crossing position is hard to impossible. That's no big deal though. The important thing is that you do not let him cross. Always have a defender on his toes, right between the winger and the goal. This is the most important use of contain there is! Use sprint + contain to keep him from crossing, and watch out for possible breakthroughs into the penalty zone.
• Use LT + contain if you have an opponent who dribbles a lot, he will most likely bump into you.
• If your opponent managed to break away in midfield, don't call out your keeper too early or you will just get lobbed over. A good strategy is to fake running out with the keeper. Press Y and then release it again, before the opponent tries the lob.
• You can also tell your keeper to stay on the goal line by pressing Y twice. This sometimes helps with overenthusiastic goalkeepers.

These hints are meant for multiplayer matches, especially Head-To-Head-Season. I have no idea if they are any good against the AI.

As you are new to FIFA, the best advice regarding skill moves is:

Dont do it (yet).

The effective use of skill moves is pretty hard to master and randomly executing them will lead to loss of the ball in 90% of the cases.

Having said that, here are some tips:

• Start getting used to dribbling without the special moves. In FIFA 12, manual dribbling (also called 'precision dribbling') has become far more effective and done correctly it can oftentimes get you past a sloppy defender and into a good shooting position. Just use the left analog stick without sprinting and try to curve your way through the defense in the right moment. Try to anticipate the defenders move and get him on the wrong foot.

• You can slow down your pace further for more precision by holding L1.

• When you are trying to outrun a defender, bump the right analog stick into the direction you are running. Your player will push the ball further in front of him, allowing you to run faster.

• Practice single skill moves in the arena, not only against the GK but against actual defenders. You can create game situations by pressing select in the arena.

• You can view the skill moves list when you are in the main menu by clicking Customize FIFA -> Settings -> Controls -> Button Help -> Skill Moves

• Skill moves I found most useful when the defender is in front of you are Heel Chop and Roulette.

I am far from being an expert on skill moves, but for new players this should help get you started. Effective use takes a lot of practice and while looking cool, for the casual player the amount of time it takes to master them isn't justified by the edge you gain. But if you want to become a really good FIFA player and be competitive online I guess you have to learn them sooner or later.