Player Lock in FC 27: how to use it and when it's worth it

Press L3 and R3 at the same time. Once it's on, point the right stick towards the player you want to control and move him manually off the ball. Cancel it the same way, L3 + R3, and you're back on the ball carrier.

Don't rush it. First make sure the ball carrier is settled. Then check where the pressure is and decide who to move. While you control the runner you're not controlling the carrier, and he's still vulnerable, so never use Player Lock while running at someone who's pressing you. Get into a safe position first, then make the movement.

They aren't the same tool. With L1 you ask the AI for a run, and it's usually straight. With Player Lock you decide who moves, where he goes and when. That precision is the whole point.

Before you activate it, ask yourself: what problem am I solving? If the answer is one of the three below, use it. If an L1 run already gives you what you need, go with the run.

You want to find a team-mate, but he's right behind a defender. If he stays still, the pass isn't on. You don't need him to run 20 metres: two or three metres to the side, forward or back is usually enough to get him out of the defender's shadow.

Think of the three key players: ball carrier, defender and receiver. If all three are in line, the lane is closed. A small movement changes the angle and opens it. This works especially well with CAMs and CMs, who are often between the lines but kept too close to their marker by the AI.

Being free isn't the same as receiving well. Can he receive facing forward? Can he turn away from the pressure? Can he set up the next move, a one-two for example? And if the lane is still closed after the movement, don't force it: cancel with L3 + R3, recycle the ball and keep playing.

There's space in behind, but your striker won't make the run you want. With Player Lock you choose who runs, where and when. Before you run, look at the defender: his position, his body shape and the space behind him.

• If he's facing the ball, you can often get in behind him.
• If he's just stepped up to someone, attack the space he left.

Timing is everything. Run too early and the defender follows you easily, and you've shown your plan. Run too late and the lane closes. Start the run when the defender already has a problem, not before. And it doesn't have to be a straight line: a diagonal, a crossover with the other striker or a run between centre-back and full-back changes both your distance from the defender and the passing angle.

Seeing a run and seeing an advantage aren't the same thing. Player Lock gives you the run; whether it's an advantage is your read.

Chousita's favourite. The player you lock doesn't have to receive. Say you move a striker wide. The centre-back has to decide: follow him or let him go. If he follows, he's just left a zone, and another striker, a winger, the CAM or even the ball carrier can attack it. Your movement has worked even if the locked player never touches the ball.

So don't think "I've locked on, now I pass to him no matter what". Think "what reaction am I forcing?" If he follows, look at what's open. If he doesn't and you're free, receive. If he hesitates, half a second is often enough of a window.

• Using it on every possession. You don't need to.
• Moving for too long. The longer you're off the ball carrier, the higher the risk of losing it.
• Using it while the carrier is under pressure. If an opponent can step straight up to the ball, that's trouble.
• Deciding the pass before you see the defender react. A perfect movement still gets defended if your opponent reads it. If the lane closes, stop and recycle, or keep going forward. Never pass for the sake of it.

A good opponent won't stand and watch your run. He'll switch players, follow the receiver and close the lane, sometimes even step up to the carrier. Reading his reaction, using decoys and creating two threats with a single movement is the second part: “Advanced Player Lock in FC 27”, in the Basic plan.