Pro Evolution Soccer Manual Pass / Manual Shot (Right Analogue Stick) Guide v1.1 by Paul Marshall NOTE: This is a general guide for the series and not for one specific version. The research conducted was primarily based on Pro Evolution Soccer 6 for XBOX 360, but has been validated on Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 for both Playstation 2 and XBOX 360. It should in theory apply to any version of any game in the series. ====================================================================== IMAGINE HERE IS A PROPER FANCY GRAPHIC SAYING SOMETHING LIKE: "PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER MANUAL PASS / SHOT GUIDE" AND IT'S GOT LIKE, A BALL, AND FLAMES, AND SOMEONE PERFORMING A SCISSOR KICK WHICH GOES OVER THE KEEPER FROM THE HALF WAY LINE. YOU KNOW, STUFF LIKE THAT. UNDERNEATH ALL THIS IT SAYS "A GUIDE BY PAUL MARSHALL" IN SUBTLE BUT AUTHORATIVE LETTERING. ====================================================================== Alright lad. This is a guide on how to properly get to grips with and use the Manual Pass and Manual Shot function in the Pro Evolution Soccer games. Two features which have amazing potential to increase both your ability and enjoyment of this series. And yet this feature has been entirely overlooked and is completely undocumented amongst players of this game! It's a mystery. I remember going to one Pro Evo forum and trying to find someone who knew what I was talking about, and I couldn't. It was mad. VERSION HISTORY: 20th Oct 2008 -this is version 1.0 i think it's finished but if i remember any other ideas i'll add them. innit? laughin', kid. 27th June 2009 - whoa WHOA!!! slight update, a few new sections including manual keeper cursor control and a few bits 'n' bobs. ====================================================================== CONTENTS: ====================================================================== I. Introduction - Why you should use the manual function II. Controls - How to perform a 'manual' III. More information on the manual IV. The Manual Pass V. The Manual Long Ball VI. The Manual Shot VII. The advantage of 'manuals' in impossible situations VIII. The offside glitch / the replay glitch IX. Manual Keeper Cursor X. Credits / Contact ====================================================================== I. Introduction - Why you should use the manual function ====================================================================== The Manual Pass is a technique which, when exploited, allows you to create openings and score goals in situations that are otherwise impossible. Yet most players of this game do not or simply can not use this technique. Be warned, this guide, and this technique, are not for casual players. Granted, it's tricky at first to point the right analogue stick accurately in the desired direction, but a bit of practise will go a long way and if you stick (lol) at it you'll soon be reaping the rewards, as well as completely blowing open the dimensions of the narrow 8-directional field of play. Learning to use the Manual Pass effectively will allow you to construct flowing passing moves exactly how you want them, without the computer's AI misinterpreting your intention all the time and sending players into the wrong channels. It will not only offer advantages against your opponents, it will maximise your enjoyment of the game and the ability to express yourself as a footballer far beyond the rigid controls of this game! Nothing beats the feeling of performing a beautiful pass or shot, knowing that it was 100% due to your own vision and aim, and 0% down to the AI or accuracy ability of the player you are using. This guide should give you all the advice you need on how to properly learn the art of the Manual Pass and the Manual Shot. The Manual Shot itself is a technique Seabass himself, or the Konami team aren't even aware of. Or at least haven't accounted for in the programming of the offside rule. More on this in section IX. This is my first ever guide so I'm not really sure what I'm doing, but it can't be that hard and I think the information provided here is not to be found anywhere else on the internet or in print anywhere in the world. I'm not much of a nerd and wouldn't have even bothered writing this up if I thought anyone else could provide this information! ====================================================================== II. Controls - How to perform a 'manual' ====================================================================== There are exactly two ways of performing what is a 'manual'. The first is an on the ground pass, and the second a lofted or long ball similar in power and trajectory to what you would get by pressing the long ball button. ON THE GROUND PASS - point the right analogue stick in the direction you want the ball to go, click in then release for power of the pass LONG PASS - hold L1 (LB Xbox) while doing as above. More specific information on controls: Strictly speaking, you should point the stick fully in the direction you want the ball to travel. If you have time on the ball, its often a good idea to point the stick in the direction you want, make sure of the accuracy and THEN click for power. Pointing the stick will do nothing (as long as you don't rotate or flick it) allowing you to steady your aim before performing the pass. It's never a good idea to click then aim. Always aim then click. The time between aiming then clicking will be reduced as your own thumb to eye technique improves. ====================================================================== III. More information on the manual ====================================================================== THE ABILITY IS YOURS, NOT THE PLAYERS Every player in this game performs a manual pass in the exact same way, regardless of their own abilities or stats in-game. A player with a pass stat of zero and a player with a pass stat of 99 will perform the exact same manual pass and manual long pass. The accuracy is determined by your own ability to point the stick and determine the power. With this in mind, certain options suddenly open up. Defenders have a useful shot, being on the turn is no longer an issue and opposing defenders applying pressure is also nothing to stop you having a pop at the target! For more details, see section VII: ====================================================================== IV. The Manual Pass ====================================================================== When you perform a manual pass, because it is an unusual style of pass that can't be achieved normally, the opposing players do not react in the same pre-scripted way and sometimes take a moment to realise what is going on. Take this opportunity, after performing a manual, make sure you are instantly in control of the receiving player to get him to run towards the ball. Note: sometimes when you have just used a manual pass, the AI will be slow to select the desired receiver. Often you will have to quickly change players (L1 or LB) to get the right receiver of the pass. Another point is that receiving players often gently stroll towards the ball, its usually (but not always) a good idea to perform a super-cancel (R1 & R2, or RB & RT) straight after playing a manual pass, to gain true control over the receiving player and take him into the space where the ball has been played. Manual passes are an advantage for playing passes in difficult situations that wouldn't normally be possible, but also to play regular passes better than they would be played. Often the computer AI won't take into account the opponents position when playing a normal pass or a normal through ball. For example, if the receiving player is marked on his right side, and you pass to him, you will pass directly to him, with the chance of interception. With the manual, you can pass to the left of him away from the opposing player! This is just an example of how you can use the manual to pass into the space and always use the space. It's worth noting that usually a player receiving a manual pass will not need to trap or control the ball before moving with it, usually a manual will be picked up in a players stride, buying valuable time for the next move. Another advantage is that if you tap a light manual pass in front of another team mate, this ball acts the same as a loose ball, and any shot hit from a manual pass is usually as powerful and accurate as a loose ball strike would be. So bear in mind if you have players around you, you can lay them on for a shot with a gentle manual. There are plenty of other ideas, you can point tiny passes inbetween two oncoming defenders where a normal pass would probably hit one of them. You can spot on the radar that your forward is on the right hand side of his defender, just point a manual all the way up the pitch on the right hand side and your attacker should run onto it first. Anywhere you see space, just play into it. Here is a good strategy to use, which also looks nice: Say you are in the centre of the field, if you pass to a player slightly wide of you, using L1 and pass, the central player who has just passed it will then make a run forwards. Instead of playing the usual 1-2 back to him, pass in the same direction you just passed to a third wide player. Before the third player receives the pass, simply point a manual at a diagonal just ahead of the first central player's run. He should play a first time manual behind the back line of defence, which by now the first player has just run beyond and is through on goal. Any time you know a player is making a run, point that analogue stick in the direction he's running! You'll be surprised at how well this can work and how good it looks. First time manual pass / shot: If you aim your manual pass before the player receives the ball, they will perform the pass first time. Be aware though that the strength of the pass will be determind by the direction the player is facing. Most directions you'll get full power, but in certain angles power will be compromised. Also note if your power bar is displayed, but the player controls the ball before he makes the pass, what follows is usually a weak and mis-directed manual pass. Its better to super-cancel (R1 & R2 or RB & RT) in these situations just as you see him control it. Furthermore, if you click the power bar JUST before the player receives the ball, this is too late and he will mis-control it, then slightly tap the ball in the direction you implied. This is also better off cancelled at the mis-control. ====================================================================== V. The Manual Long Ball ====================================================================== A lot of the same strategies apply. The Manual Long Ball is achieved by pressing L1 when doing a regular manual, and the height, speed and trajectory of the ball are all similar to if you had pressed the regular long ball button. Except now you can point it exactly where you want it to go. Useful for playing diagonal long balls that spring the offside trap with a winger who plays slightly behind the front line. Or just punting a ball into the box from any situation see what happens! Even a straight long ball up the field can now work if you aim it nearer to your attackers side. Spring that offside trap! ====================================================================== VI. The Manual Shot ====================================================================== The manual shot is genius and will change the game for you. You now have two (admittedly difficult) new options whenever you are in front of goal. A short range on the ground shot that can be aimed exactly where you want, or a more long range new kind of chip that can also be directed and given the power you want. Firstly, the on the ground shot. The keepers do not react to this as well as they would a regular low shot. If the shot is near to them but not at them, it'll often go in. Manual shots tend to find their way through a keepers legs, or inbetween his arms or underneath his body as he dives etc. Keepers can save them easily don't get me wrong, it's not like suddenly you have guaranteed goals. They just can go in, in situations where a shot wouldn't. Bear this in mind and know when to wield it and when not to. Another advantage of the manual shot is when you are wide of goal, if you have run the keeper out and see an open goal, but you are at a wide angle. The manual shot can be aimed into the goal when a regular shot would not have the accuracy. Especially if you are running at an angle to the goal at the time of shooting, but don't have time to turn due to being chased by the keeper. A nicely aimed manual shot is perfect for these situations. Another point is that usually manuals can be hit first time without the need for controlling the ball (at least when receiving an on the ground pass). So if you pass to a player inside the box, and point the stick towards goal before he receives the ball, he will hit off a first time shot in the direction you aimed. From close range these are often too fast for the keeper so your aim doesn't even need to be exact. And when your aim IS exact (in off the post or somethin), you can just feel that much smugger knowing all the accuracy was your own! As for the manual lob, or chip, this is also useful. Often when you're bearing down on goal the keepr will run towards you a bit. The L1 chip is very slow and takes a long time to come down. Usually giving the keeper a chance to step backwards and save. The R1 chip is not high enough to beat a keeper from long range. With the manual chip, you can basically do a fast long ball in any direction you want. So keep in mind the goalkeepers position because you can hit a fast chip over him. Bear in mind the manual chip is not as high in trajectory so if the keeper stands up to it, he'll often save. But if it goes slightly to his side or is at an angle it'll often bounce right over him and it always looks really great. I wouldn't recommend using a manual chip inside the box although there are wonder goals to be had if you insist on it. As for long range, whenever a keeper comes out way too far, its nice to know you can point a long shot at goal from anywhere on the pitch without even having to control it or be facing in the right direction. Also remember you can shoot with a manual in situations that normally would be difficult to get a normal shot off. See section VII for details. ====================================================================== VII. The advantage of 'manuals' in impossible situations ====================================================================== The manual is useful in plenty of situations where the other controls provide little options. Here are a few tips: PASS INTO SPACE The regular pass button will only pass in the direction of a player. If everyone is marked, it is useless. With the manual, you can pass the ball into empty space for your players to run into. Simply by looking at the scanner, you can determine where the space is, and if your own player is closer to it, send the ball into that space and then switch players and run them into it. Your opponent, not expecting this kind of ball, will usually take longer to fill the space than your own player. This is useful in all kinds of situations where another ball would only lead to losing possession. The beauty of the manual is you can see where the space is, and play the ball into it for other players. The other controls always take into account your own players positions and will play the ball directly to, or directly ahead of them (often directly into the path of a defender). If there is acres of space but its at a weird angle, all controls become useless. You can only exploit this space using a manual. The manual will let you put the ball wherever you want it to be. Take note of your player's positions on the scanner and hit balls close to them but into space away from the opponents players, you should be able to get to the ball first and keep the play going. The key is not to overdo this technique. It will create problems if used unnecessarily, but is a useful trick in a tight spot. For example, blocked into your own corner area, simply point the stick up the line where a pass would be directionless and too slow or a through ball would be collected by the opponent. POWER WHILE ON THE TURN Another thing to note is that a manual is the only time a player will be able to get power and accuracy when performing a move in the opposite direction they are facing, or when on the turn. For example, you have the ball right in front of your opponents goal, but you are facing the opposite way to goal. Shooting will usually cause you to sky the ball into the air or wide, so usually your only option is to pass the ball to someone facing goal, or attempt to turn around yourself, wasting valuable time and often allowing the defense to catch you or surround you. If you point the manual in the direction of the goal, you will hit a full power 'pass' on the turn exactly in the direction you want to when all other controls would let you down in this situation. ACCURACY WHILE UNDER PRESSURE This trick also applies to when you are under heavy pressure from defenders and would usually perform a bad shot, a manual (as long as you get it off before being tackled) will always travel in the direction and with the power that you have given it regardless of how many defenders are on your case. This is useful in all kinds of situations and means having defenders close to you is no longer a reason to stop and try to beat them, you can still get your shot off! ABILITY NO LONGER RELEVANT If you're bearing down on goal with some half injured reject centre back from somewhere like China, no offense... (or should that be no offence? ;), and you know even breathing on the shoot button is going to give away a goal kick (or even a throw in), consider the manual shot. It'll have the same accuracy and power no matter which player you are controlling, it's all about your own aim! ====================================================================== VIII. The offside glitch / the replay glitch ====================================================================== Offside glitch: There is a glitch in this game meaning that if you score using a manual, any player who is offside when you score will cause the goal to be disallowed. It doesn't matter if he is on the opposite side of the pitch and nowhere near the ball or the play. If he is offside when the manual is hit, the linesman's flag will go up and the goal will be disallowed. This is due to the fact that the computer assumes any use of the right analogue stick is for a pass, and not for a shot. Leading me to believe Seabass or the Konami team are not aware of the potential of the Manual Shot and should email me ( [email protected] ) if they are reading this for further ideas on how I can help! Replay glitch: If you miss narrowly with a manual, there will be no replay. The game will simply go to a goal kick. However if you hit the post or the crossbar, you will get the usual replay. Also, in the highlights, any manual goals scored will only be replayed once, not the standard three times. ====================================================================== IX. Manual Keeper Cursor ====================================================================== A must for any true player. You can set your keeper cursor to manual in the Player Settings screen. From this point on, by pressing L1 & Triangle (PS2) or LB & Y (XBOX), you now have control over your goalkeepers positioning! Don't worry, you don't have to control his diving, he will still do that on his own, but you are now in control of his starting position as he receives a shot! Practise at this will fool most LIVE players and save your skin in 1-1s a fair few times! Basically if your opponent has beaten your last defender, hold Square (or X on XBOX) to keep your last defender chasing, then get control of your keeper. As your opponent bears down on goal, try to stand your keeper (may need to watch via scanner) where you think the shot is going to go. The amount of times people expect an onrushing keeper, and just shoot only to find your keeper standing in the far corner going "thx". Beware though, moving your keeper the wrong way just as a shot flies by will often render him immobile and it'll whizz past his head while he keeps his hands by his sides! Use with caution until perfected. Two more points to note: When in control of the keeper, you can still bring him out to meet the ball by holding Triangle (or Y on XBOX) but he will only jog towards it while the cursor is on. If you want him to sprint towards it you must either take the cursor off him, or hold Sprint (R1 or RB) yourself. Lastly, a manually controlled keeper can't really control a loose ball. A backpass is fine, but a deflection, a rebound, a funny bounce, anything remotely loose, you walk your keeper over to it, he walks right past it without bringing it under control. Take the cursor off of the keeper in these situations and just direct him towards the ball using Triangle (or X XBOX). ====================================================================== X. Footnote / Credits / Contact ====================================================================== Well there are lots of ideas, and things to try. Now with the manual pass, manual chip and manual shot and lob, you are equipped to fully express yourself and your own ideas on Pro Evolution Soccer like you've never been able to before. Go and play the beautiful game however you see fit! Credit must go to Tony Cargin for his discovery of the manual shot and his continued research into the art of manuals. All this what has been written up is all my own work and that. You can't read this information anywhere else on the internet except for gamefaqs.com. And if you do, it's by some baghead who can't be arsed to do his own so he just thought he'd rob mine. Please tell me if you see it somewhere else so I can go down there and ask for money. Or if you are Seabass or anyone working for Konami and you think I definitely DEFINITELY need to be working on your team. Or you just want to give me money or a purpose, that's fine too. EMAIL: [email protected] THIS DOCUMENT IS COPYRIGHT OF PAUL MARSHALL 20TH AUGUST 2008