I will show you the max-rated center-back build that you can use in EA FC 24 clubs. So, for your position, you're going to go with CB.

Your height, we have to go with 6 feet, and you have to go with 152 lbs if you want to be max-rated.

For your running style, the one I recommend and the one that I use as center-back is a medalist. It's been my favorite one this entire year for CB. You can use whichever running style you prefer the most, but highly recommend the medalist.

Playstyle Plus

Now, we have the Playstyle Plus. The first one we’re going to go with is the Quick Step because the pace in this build is extremely low, and the Quick Step Plus is going to allow for your pro to accelerate quicker. So, that’s the only reason we went with this.

Then the second one, it’s all up to you and how you play CB. You can go with the aerial plus since we are 6 feet. You can also go with anticipation plus or the block plus. We’re going to go with anticipation plus. This makes the standing tackles much more accurate, and the ball stops right in front of your foot when you make those tackles.

Playstyle

Now, for the regular playstyles:

Long Ball Pass: As a CB, when you’re under pressure, sometimes you can’t find the short pass, so you need to either switch it or play a ball in the air up top. So, this will do just that, so that’s why we went with the Long Ball Pass.

Power Header: More power to your headers and more accuracy. A lot of players struggle to score headers, and it’s probably because you don’t have this playstyle. It’s a very good one and I highly recommended.

Bruiser: When you’re making those standing tackles, they’re going to come with more physicality, and it’s going to make it much easier to outbody your opponents when you’re going for a standing tackle.

Intercept: This will allow your pro to improve the chances of you intercepting the ball, sticking out your leg, and making that interception.

Block: This is going to allow your pro to extend out your feet to make those blocks when you’re inside or outside the box or if you’re properly positioned, your players will make good blocks.

Aerial: I definitely recommend you to use the Aerial. It’s going to increase the chances of your pro jumping even higher. The jumping on this build is going to be maxed out, but it’s still going to have a much better aerial physical presence, which is what you want as a defender.

So, these are the playstyles that we went with, and these are the playstyle plus that we went with for the center-back build. Make sure that you have enough EA FC 24 Coins to help you win the game.

Skill Tree

Now, we have the skill tree, and to be the max-rated, you have to follow the skill tree. So, you’re going to go with acceleration and sprint speed. It’s a very low pace for a CB, but if you want to be max-rated, you have to go like this.

Shooting: You’re going to get the heading accuracy, and then you’re going to get heading and volleys. This will give you 93 heading accuracy, which is very good. You also have that power header, which is going to increase that accuracy when you’re going for headers, and it’s going to give you more power when you’re going for headers.

Passing: You’re going to get the short passing, and then you’re going to get the architect archetype. So, this will give you 93 short passing, which is what is going to give you that max-rated build. That’s going to determine how accurate the short passing and the long passing are. Even though the long pass is a 79, you have that long ball pass playstyle, which that really won’t matter because that long ball pass playstyle is going to be very good.

Dribbling: some of players, the 63 agility might be too low. If you want to be max-rated CB, you have to go with this-77 balance. That’s going to determine how often your pro falls to the ground when you’re being challenged. And then you have the 79 ball control, which is good enough for a CB. You do want your pro to be taking good ball control, especially when you’re making interceptions.

Defending: You’re going to max it out completely, get everything filled out. Your number one job is to defend. So, this gives you 95 interceptions, which is excellent. 97 defensive awareness. That’s going to determine how accurate the slide tackle, the standing tackles are. And then you have 97 standing tackle with 99 slide tackle, which is insane.

Physical: You’re going to completely max it all out, get everything for the physical. Make sure you get the reactions, the aggression, everything completely filled out.

Now, you’re going to be a 95 rated center-back. That is the max this year. You have 93 physical, 77 pace. I know the pace is low, but you have to go with the pace if you want to be a 95 rated center-back. The shooting doesn’t matter except for the heading accuracy. 79 passing. Dribbling really doesn’t matter besides the ball control and some balance. Try out this build.

Preparation for FC 24 Team of the Year has already begun. Today, I’m telling you exactly what you should be doing if you are someone who does actually want to prepare. This is everything that you need to do if you are getting ready for Team of the Year.

Sell Your Team

Let’s start with the very first step: selling your team. The idea is to sell your team now to claim as many FC 24 Coins as possible. 

Throughout December, player prices will continue to go down. As we approach January and then eventually Team of the Year towards the end of January, players will continue to go down in value. By the time Team of the Year does finally release because there are so many people opening packs during this time, you see a massive dip in pretty much every player.

Of course, during this time, Team of the Year players and also honorable mentions get released in which they do fluctuate in price. But everyone else will go down. That is just where attention goes from whoever is the best at that current moment to all Team of the Year players who will be the best all the way up until Team of the Season. 

Stock Up On Cheap Promo Cards

After the Team of the Year promo, that is when people start to buy back the players they initially sold on because they’re going to be a fraction of the price that they were originally, meaning that they’re able to make a difference. 

In a lot of cases, you’ll be able to upgrade your team quite considerably by being able to buy much better players for the exact same price at which you sold your original players.

So with this, it is worth going through your club and selling anyone who is tradeable, with the exception of a few selected types of players. This is going to be any special card, which is valued towards that lower end: 10, 20, even 30,000 EA FC 24 Coins depending on their over rating. This is because there is no source for those types of players. 

They were released as part of Team of the Weeks, and for that week and that week only, they were part of packs. The second that week ended, they were taken out of packs. So, there’s been no way to get more of those types of players. Even if they got a second Team of the Week or were part of a different promo, it’s someone completely different. It’s not the same player as before.

And those players typically continue to increase. Normally, as we’re approaching a major event like this, people like to stock up and invest because they think that potentially we can get some content such as SBCs, which require some of those previous promos. 

It’s a good time to start buying up now so that a week before Team of the Year is released, you can then sell them at their highest possible price because typically these types of players are never really used for any of the content. 

And if so, it’s not to the amount of demand that people are expecting for them to increase in value during the promo. That’s why it’s good to buy when no one else is interested and then sell when everyone else is trying to buy.

Stack Packs

The biggest thing that you can do, though, is start stacking packs. 

People do stack packs because they don’t really like the promos available that we have throughout December and the beginning of January. They would much rather have a Team of the Year because these end up being the highest rated FC 24 Players within the game. Depending on who you get, which is typically defenders, midfielders, and attackers (not a goalkeeper), they will probably be valued at 800,000+ coins.

With your midfielders and attackers, it's likely 1.5 million +, going even higher than that, six to seven million, dependent on the player, such as Mbappe, for example.

Even though you have a much higher chance of being able to pack good players as part of promos throughout December and beginning of January compared to you being able to get one of these Team of the Year players during the Team of the Year promo, people still like to test their luck.

Game Modes

The best way to do this is to stack packs. That means going through Game Modes, through Division Rivals, getting at least 3 wins to qualify for a reward. 

Then, aiming for 7 wins to max out that weekly reward. You'll need 1,250 qualification points to enter the Champions playoffs, claiming packs from there. Aim to get into the Champions finals to claim additional packs.

Afterward, go into Squad Battles to achieve as high a rank as possible. Use your coins, draft tokens, or even FC Points to play through drafts, whether single-player or online. Additionally, engage in Moments to build up as many stars as possible. By the time Team of the Year arrives, spend those stars on packs.

Objectives

Everything mentioned ties into objectives. You may want to go through challenges that require you to play through friendlies. 

Objectives end up being the best way to grind packs because of your seasonal progress and the content EA releases. Stacking these challenges up ensures you're obtaining packs from objectives itself while competing within the mentioned game modes.

Save Packs Till TOTY

Save the packs to your club and let them stay there for the next month until Team of the Year is finally released. 

However, there are limitations. The store may say 99 packs continuously, but packs are still saved in the background, potentially reaching hundreds or thousands. Visually, it maxes out at 99. 

You can't see every single pack within the store. It typically shows only the first 30. If you get a Team of the Week pack from SBCs or any type of content EA releases and you have more than 30 packs saved, you won't be able to see it. Saving the Team of the Week pack for Team of the Year is pointless because it doesn't upgrade. You'll still get Team of the Week players during that period.

However, you can view all packs on the Web App. There, you'll find the store and can scroll through to open packs if you choose. It's easier to manage this process rather than continuously keeping it going for the next month and a half.

Right now, you may have many players in your club because there's a source for them through every game mode, rewarding you with packs. With those packs, you receive players, good or bad, which can be recycled through SBCs. 

But, once you start stacking packs and not opening them, you'll eventually reach a point where no new players come in because those obtained are sent to SBCs. Consequently, you're not opening packs from SBCs and, thus, not recycling anything.

At this point, you have a couple of options. One option is to not worry about SBCs and just avoid them completely because what you’re doing is now getting packs just from the game mode. It’s very slow and a tedious way for you to build up the amount of packs you save.

Trading

Another option is that you start to put more emphasis on trading. 

Trading, even if it’s a very simple trading method such as bulk building or sniping, allows you to get coins coming in. With some of the profits, you’re able to buy players for trading and for SBCs. This way, you’re able to continuously build up your coin balance, still complete SBCs, and stack packs from them. 

Draft

This is my preference. If you’re someone that enjoys spending money on the game, then you could always buy FC Points and just continuously keep on going through the draft. 

With draft, even if you go out in the very first round, your reward is equivalent to what it cost to enter. That doesn’t mean you’re going to get anything good because it still comes down to chance, but the value should be around 15,000 coins or 300 FC Points. 

You can continue to keep on going through draft from now all the way to the release of Team of the Year to keep on building up your packs.

If you are a confident player, go into online. If you’re not as confident, go through a single player. With a single player, it doesn’t actually matter what difficulty you select because the rewards once you win in the final are pulled from the exact same bracket. It’s a weird and broken way to handle things, but that’s the way it is.

Buy Coins

Finally, very similar to buying FC Points, you could buy coins. 

Buying coins means you’re then able to use those coins to buy players, and then use those players to go through SBCs to stack as many packs as possible. The choice here is entirely up to you.

My recommendation is that you go through some very basic trading methods, build up your coin balance, and then just buy some players every week to complete SBCs. Stack those packs you get from SBCs and also stack the rewards you get from other game modes.

This year, I’m not taking the Team of the Year grind as seriously. With the promos released throughout December and January, I’m going to open some packs, not all of them. I’m definitely still stacking the best ones for Team of the Year, but there will be times when I’ll open 10 to 20 packs, depending on what’s actually there.

My personal goal is to have 2 to 300 packs saved for Team of the Year. I know it’s not a crazy amount. There are other creators who are able to get thousands. But I just don’t have as much time to play the Ultimate Team as I used to. I wish I did, but I don’t.

But as a rule of thumb, whatever you do manage to collect and save for Team of the Year, you can pretty much double it because once you do finally open those packs, the chance of you getting a Team of the Year is not going to be high. 

You’re not going to get them in every single pack that you open, but you will get loads of other players. Those players can then immediately be recycled back into SBCs, where you can get additional packs. And in this loop, continuously keep them going throughout the whole week to two-week period. 

All in all, this is everything that you need to do in order for you to prepare for Team of the Year.

Recently, I changed my formation recently to 4-2-3-1 Wide in EA FC 24 and it massively improved my game both defense and offense wise. In order to defeat more overpowered squads, while using modified tactics, I also invested a large amount of EA FC 24 Coins into the players in my team to help them improve quickly.

In EA FC 24, we have two 4-2-3-1 formation styles: 

1. The Wide, which consists of Wingers and CDMs 
2. The Narrow, which features with 3 CAMs and 2 CMs 

4-4-2 and 4-2-3-1 are the easiest formations to use on the game, but the 4-2-3-1 is so balanced in the Midfield than the 4-4-2. Let’s quickly see the tactics.

Tactics

For the Defense Style, I go for ‘Balanced’ because I can manually press if necessary and also drop back sometimes. 

My Width is 47. Even in FC 24, the wing play is overpowered and it should at least be at 50 or 60. But still, you have to force your opponent to build up through wings instead of attacking through the middle easily.

The biggest issue is Depth. Personal preference, I go for 71 Depth because it’s the meta in the game. This way, your players automatically mark the opponent’s players and force you to play an aggressive defensive style. If you can’t press aggressively, you need to go below 45 (something like 40 to 44). For me, I can press aggressively, so I always go for 71 Depth. But it has some downside, like counterattacks.

For the Build Up Play, I go for ‘Balanced’. In FC 24, everything is overpowered. Counterattacks are overpowered. Speed attacking is also possible. But when you face some good opponents, it’s hard to rush forward, so you need to take things slowly. That’s also why you need Balanced.

For the Chance Creation, I go for ‘Direct Passing’. You need your FC 24 Players available for direct passes inside or around the Box. 

Here, my Width is 48. But you can go with 50 or 60 because of the wing play style. But for me, I go with 48. Players in the Box go with 5 or 6. Cutbacks are overpowered, so you need more players inside the Box and here you will have plenty of options. 

For Corners, you can set it to 4 bars. And for Free Kicks, you can set it to 1 bar. 

Instructions

On the side of instructions, I leave both Fullbacks on ‘Balanced’ and ‘Overlap’. In FC 24, you need your Fullbacks to automatically join attack sometimes as you know wing play is so effective, so you need that extra player to empower your attack and give you more options.

I set both CDMs on ‘Cover Center’ and the rest on ‘Balanced’. If you really struggle with defending, you can set them on ‘Stay Back While Attacking’. But if you’re good, it’s fine to go with ‘Balanced’.

I set 1 Wide Midfielder (with either Triola or Finesse playstyle) on Cut Inside. This way, your Wide Midfielder can always get into those positions to pull out the Finesse Shot. Not only that, he will also enter the Box to give you that extra Striker. I also set him on ‘Come Back On Defense’ to support the Fullback.

Then, I set the other Winger on ‘Come Back On Defense’ and for everything else, I leave them on Default. I leave the CAM everything on Default. Then, I set the Striker on ‘Drift Wide’, ‘Get In Behind’, and ‘Stay Forward’. 

Dive into the exhilarating world of EA FC 24, where every dribble, every sprint, and every tactical decision propels you into unparalleled realms of footballing mastery.

The Controlled Sprint technique isn't just a feature. It's your key to unlocking a universe where every player under your command moves with a precision, agility, and finesse that was once beyond reach. Of course, if you have enough EA FC 24 Coins, you'd better upgrade the attributes of your players so that you will become more powerful!

Imagine navigating through the midfield with the ball seemingly glued to your feet, evading tackles with ease and creating moments of magic that leave your opponents in awe.

Here are five tips to help you master the Controlled Sprint in no time.

1. Midfield Mastery 

Midfield Mastery, weaving through the heart of the game.

The midfield is often referred to as the engine room of a football team where battles are won and lost, dictating the rhythm and flow of the match.

The Controlled Sprint technique allows players to navigate through this congested area with finesse and precision by taking more touches at a slightly moderated pace.

Midfielders can retain possession effectively, even when surrounded by a swarm of opponents. This technique enables players to carve out spaces, create passing lanes, and orchestrate attacks from the depth of the midfield, ensuring a seamless transition from defense to attack. 

2. Counter-Attack Control 

Counter-attack Control, harnessing the power of precision and timing. 

In the fast-paced realm of counterattacking football, the Controlled Sprint technique becomes an invaluable asset in managing the ebb and flow of rapid transitions.

Utilizing this feature allows players to momentarily slow down the play, providing time for teammates to join the attack and establish numerical superiority.

Moreover, it enables attackers to make calculated decisions, whether to wait for support or exploit spaces behind the defense, thereby maintaining a balance between urgency and control during counterattacks.

3. Change Of Pace 

Change of Pace, the unpredictable element of surprise.

The ability to suddenly alter the speed of play is a potent weapon in destabilizing defensive setups.

Integrating the Controlled Sprint technique with sudden bursts of speed can catch Defenders off guard, creating moments of vulnerability within their ranks.

This change of pace not only enhances the unpredictability of attacking movements, but also forces Defenders into making snap decisions, which could potentially lead to errors, misjudgments, and ultimately goal scoring opportunities.

Also Read: How To Choose The Perfect Career Mode Save In FC 24? - 4 Steps

4. Drawing Defenders 

Drawing Defenders, the subtle art of creating spaces. 

Manipulating the opposition's defensive structure is a nuanced skill that can be amplified with the Controlled Sprint technique.

By utilizing Controlled Sprints, players can attract Defenders towards them, thereby distorting their defensive shape and creating exploitable spaces for teammates.

This tactic is particularly effective in scenarios where tight defensive lines need to be breached, as drawing Defenders out of position can pave the way for incisive passes, runs, and opportunities to pierce through the defensive veil.

5. Controlling Tempo 

Controlling Tempo, dictating the pulse of the match.

In the chessboard of football, controlling the tempo can be the key to imposing one's gameplay on the opposition. The Controlled Sprint technique offers players the ability to modulate the speed of play, enabling them to dictate whether to inject urgency into the attack or slow down to establish control and buildup play methodically.

This control over the tempo allows players to manage game scenarios effectively, whether it's preserving a lead by slowing down the play or injecting pace to chase a much needed goal.

The Controlled Sprint technique in EA FC 24 is not merely a tool for enhanced ball control, but a strategic element that, when mastered, can unlock a plethora of tactical options on the virtual pitch.

From meticulously navigating through the midfield to orchestrating well-timed counterattacks, from injecting unpredictability with a change of pace to subtly creating spaces by drawing Defenders, and from imposing one's rhythm to controlling the match's pulse, this feature enriches the strategic depth of the game, offering players a new dimension to explore, master, and exhibit their virtual footballing prowess.

It’s the start of the second half. Score line deadlocked. The arena pulsates with anticipation, and suddenly the ball nestles into the back of the net.

By changing to the 4-4-1-1 formation, you have the upper hand on your opponent. It offers a strong defense, Midfield dominance, two Central Attackers and solid Wing play to lead you to EA FC 24 glory.

If you have enough EA FC 24 Coins, please buy some good players and improve their attributes. Combined with this formation, you will get more surprises!

About 4-4-1-1 Formation

A 4-4-1-1 setup essentially involves four Defenders, four Midfielders, a Center Forward and a Striker. The Midfield typically comprises two Central Midfielders and two Wingers, a Left Midfielder and Right Midfielder.

With a defending style set to Balanced, a Width of 45 and Depth of 55, the formation will exhibit a somewhat compact and centered defensive structure. A compact width will guide the opposition towards wide areas where your Fullback should engage in duel while central areas remain robust and difficult to penetrate.

With all defensive men holding Balanced instructions, it’s crucial to ensure that the Back Full is composed of players who exhibit a balance of pace, physicality, and technical ability.

A Sweeper Keeper is crucial in this setup to mitigate the threat posed by through balls due to the moderately high defensive line, Depth set at 55.

4-4-1-1 Custom Tactics

Center Backs. Selecting CBs with good play styles is important. This year, I prefer that they have Block and Jockey as their play styles. But your mileage may vary. Try to find something that fits your play style Fullbacks given that the width is not overly compact.

Fullbacks must be capable of handling one-on-one situations and be proficient in supporting the Wingers in attacking phases. This requires you to carefully select the right players and use a large amount of FUT 24 Coins to promote them in advance. A key focus for the team in the middle is the two Central Midfielders and how they interact with the defensive line. Your two CMs are key pieces as you will control them most of the time when defending in order to leave your defensive line intact.

CM1. As the one instructed to stay back and cover the center, this player becomes pivotal in breaking up the opponent’s attacks, offering coverage for the defensive line and initiating the buildup play.

CM2. With instructions to cover the center and utilize aggressive interceptions, this player acts as the more dynamic ball-winning Midfielder, disrupting opposition play and quickly transitioning the ball to attacking outlets.

Also Read: How To Choose The Perfect Career Mode Save In FC 24? - 4 Steps

For the offensive side of the 4-4-1-1, adopting a Balanced buildup strategy, Direct Passing to create chances going forward, Width set to 55 and six players in the Box allows for an intriguing mix of both wide and Central play with ample options during crosses and box plays.

Strike (ST). With the Get In Behind instruction, the Striker serves as a direct threat, constantly probing opposition defenses and looking to exploit any spaces left behind.

Center Forward (CF). Similarly instructed to Get In Behind, the CF operates in a more withdrawn role than the ST, but is equally critical in providing a linking option between midfield and attack.

Now, let’s take a look at the wing play of the formation.

Left Midfielder (LM). Maintaining balanced instructions ensures that the LM provides width, aids in retaining possession, and contributes defensively.

Right Midfielder (RM). The Cut Inside and Get In Behind instructions transform the RM into a dynamic diagonal threat, disrupting traditional defensive shapes and creating overloads in central areas.

While the CF and ST constantly look to pierce through defensive lines, the RM’s inward movements provide additional options for central combinations and also allow for overlapping runs from the right back.

This is where investing in a highly skilled and pacy RM could prove beneficial, providing the ability to unsettle opposition defenses with their inward runs and precision in the final third.

Key Positions In 4-4-1-1 Formation

Within the 4-4-1-1 formation, particular emphasis must be placed on a few key positions.

Center Forward is the primary link between midfield and attack.

Investment in a CF with a rich blend of creative and goal scoring attributes can exponentially enhance offensive output.

Right Midfielder. Given the special instructions and pivotal role in both wide and central areas, securing a top tier RM is critical.

Ball-winning Midfielder. To execute the aggressive interception strategy and continually disrupt opposition, play a Midfielder with stellar defensive attributes and work rate is required. High defensive work rate and high offensive work rate are encouraged here.