Content:
Introduction
Skill moves are the flourishes that separate a functional dribbler from a genuine playmaker in EA Sports FC 27. A well-timed stepover buys the half-yard you need to whip in a cross; a clean elastico wrong-foots the last defender before a finish. This guide gathers every skill move in FC 27 into one place, split by star rating, with the exact controller inputs for both PlayStation and Xbox, plus the five-star juggling tricks, the freshly added moves, the best five-star dribblers to buy, and practical advice on when a trick actually helps rather than hurts.
Whether you grind Ultimate Team, build a Career Mode wonderkid, or just want to embarrass a friend in a kitchen-table match, the tables below are your reference sheet. Bookmark it, keep it open on a second screen while you practise in the Arena, and work through the tiers one at a time.
Before we dive in: if you want to skip the early grind and get straight to fielding five-star skillers, you can buy FC 27 Coins and boosts at Onlyfarms and build the squad you want from day one.
What Are Skill Moves and How Ratings Work
Skill moves are scripted dribbling animations you trigger with the right stick and a handful of modifier buttons. Instead of relying only on raw sprinting, they let you feint, roll, spin, and flick the ball to unbalance a defender and open a passing or shooting lane. Used sparingly they are devastating; spammed carelessly they simply hand the ball back.
Every player in the game carries a skill-move rating from one to five stars, and that rating is a hard ceiling. A one-star player can only perform one-star moves, while a five-star maestro can pull off everything in the game. That is why the star count is one of the first attributes serious players check before signing a winger or an attacking midfielder — a lovely 88-rated dribbler with only three stars will never throw an elastico, no matter how skilled you are on the sticks.
The inputs themselves follow a logic once you spot the pattern. The right stick (referred to as R or RS below) does most of the work: a quick flick is a short, sharp push and release, a hold keeps the stick pressed in a direction, and a rotate sweeps it around an arc. Shoulder and trigger buttons act as modifiers — on PlayStation that means L1, R1, L2, and R2; on Xbox the equivalents are LB, RB, LT, and RT. Throughout this guide we use ↑ ↓ ← → for stick and D-pad directions, and “L” for the left stick when it is part of the combination.
One more distinction worth learning early: a move’s direction is relative to the way your player is facing, not the pitch. “Left” and “right” flip depending on which way you are running, so practise each trick in both directions until the muscle memory sticks.
New Skill Moves in FC 27
EA refreshes the skill-move roster most years, and FC 27 adds a handful of new tricks to keep the meta from going stale. The additions this time are the Fake Turn, the Ball Roll Spin, the Stepover Combo, and the Kneel Header. A couple of these are still being finalised as the game beds in, so their exact inputs are marked TBA in the tables below and will be confirmed as EA locks them down — treat those rows as a heads-up rather than a settled command.
- Fake Turn (three-star) — a compact deception that sells a change of direction and then continues on the original line, ideal for shaking a tight marker without committing to a full spin.
- Ball Roll Spin (four-star) — blends the reliable ball roll with a spin exit, letting you drag the ball across a defender and rotate away from the recovery.
- Stepover Combo (four-star) — chains stepovers into a single fluid sequence, giving flair players a quicker way to stack feints in one motion.
- Kneel Header (five-star) — a showboat-style move reserved for the elite dribblers, more for style and set-piece situations than for beating a defender.
As with any new move, spend time in the Practice Arena before taking these into a ranked match. New animations often have slightly different timing windows than the tricks you already know, and mistiming one in your own box is a fast way to concede.
1-Star Skill Moves
One-star moves are available to almost every outfield player in the game, so these are the tricks you will lean on most often, even with defenders and holding midfielders. They are low-risk and quick to execute, which makes them perfect for buying a split second in traffic rather than for beating a defender outright. The directional nutmeg and the fake shot in particular are worth drilling until they are automatic.
| Move | PlayStation | Xbox |
|---|---|---|
| Directional Nutmeg | Hold L1 + R1 + R Direction | Hold LB + RB + R Direction |
| Ball Juggle while standing | L2 + R1 Tap | LT + RB Tap |
| Open Up Fake Shot Left | Hold L1 + ■ or ○ then X + L top left | Hold LB + X or B then A + L top left |
| Open Up Fake Shot Right | Hold L1 + ■ or ○ then X + L top right | Hold LB + X or B then A + L top right |
| Flick Up | R3 | R3 |
| First Time Feint Turn | Hold L1 + R1 + L down | Hold LB + RB + L down |
The Open Up Fake Shot variants are the most valuable entries here. By faking a shot and immediately pushing the left stick to the top-left or top-right, you shift the ball into space and set up a clean strike or cross — a staple move that even one-star players can rely on. The Flick Up (R3) is your gateway into juggling and volley setups, while the Ball Juggle while standing is more of a stationary showpiece than a match-winner.
2-Star Skill Moves
Two-star moves are where dribbling really begins. The Ball Roll and the Drag Back introduced here are two of the most important tricks in the entire game — simple, fast, and effective at every level of play. If you learn nothing else from the lower tiers, learn to roll the ball comfortably in both directions.
| Move | PlayStation | Xbox |
|---|---|---|
| Feint Forward and Turn | Flick ↓↓ | Flick ↓↓ |
| Body Feint Right | R Flick → | R Flick → |
| Body Feint Left | R Flick ← | R Flick ← |
| Stepover Right | R rotate ↑→ | R rotate ↑→ |
| Stepover Left | R rotate ↑← | R rotate ↑← |
| Reverse Stepover Right | R rotate →↑ | R rotate →↑ |
| Reverse Stepover Left | R rotate ←↑ | R rotate ←↑ |
| Ball Roll Left | R Hold ← | R Hold ← |
| Ball Roll Right | R Hold → | R Hold → |
| Drag Back | L2 + R2 + L Flick ↓ | LT + RT + L Flick ↓ |
The Ball Roll (R Hold ← or →) drags the ball sideways to slip past a lunging defender and is the foundation of countless combos. The Drag Back pulls the ball backward to escape pressure and reset your angle, which is invaluable when a challenge is closing you down. Stepovers and Body Feints round out the tier — both are pure deception moves that sell a direction you have no intention of taking. Master the stepover here and you will find the more advanced spins later feel far more natural.
3-Star Skill Moves
Three-star moves add genuine flair and a bit more risk. This is the tier where the Roulette arrives — one of the most satisfying and effective ways to spin through a challenge in open midfield. Most attacking full-backs and secondary creators sit around this rating, so these are moves you will use regularly across a full squad.
| Move | PlayStation | Xbox |
|---|---|---|
| Heel Flick | R Flick ↑↓ | R Flick ↑↓ |
| Roulette Right | R rotate ↓ through ← | R rotate ↓ through ← |
| Roulette Left | R rotate ↓ through → | R rotate ↓ through → |
| Fake Left & Go Right | R rotate ←↓→ | R rotate ←↓→ |
| Fake Right & Go Left | R rotate →↓← | R rotate →↓← |
| Heel Chop Left while running | Hold L2 + ■ or ○ then X + L ← | Hold LT + X or B then A + L ← |
| Heel Chop Right while running | Hold L2 + ■ or ○ then X + L → | Hold LT + X or B then A + L → |
| Feint Left & Exit Right | R rotate ←↓→ | R rotate ←↓→ |
| Feint Right & Exit Left | R rotate →↓← | R rotate →↓← |
| Stutter Feint | Hold L2 + ■ or ○ then ←→ or →← | Hold LT + X or B then ←→ or →← |
| Fake Turn | TBA | TBA |
The Roulette (rotate the stick down and around through the left or right) is the headline move: it turns your player 360 degrees around the ball and shrugs off a defender who commits to the tackle. The Heel Flick lifts the ball up and behind for a stylish escape, while the Heel Chop variants let you cut sharply while running at pace — excellent for changing the angle of an attack near the box. The new Fake Turn also lives in this tier; its input is still being confirmed.
4-Star Skill Moves
Four-star moves separate good dribblers from great ones. This is the largest tier in the game, packed with drag combinations, spins, and fake passes that give you real control over tempo and direction. Many top wingers and creative midfielders carry four stars, so investing time here pays off across a huge slice of the player pool.
| Move | PlayStation | Xbox |
|---|---|---|
| Ball Hop while standing | Hold L1 + R3 | Hold LB + R3 |
| Ball Roll Drag | Hold L1 + R Flick ↑ then ←/→ | Hold LB + R Flick ↑ then ←/→ |
| Drag Back Turn | Hold L2 + R Hold ↓ | Hold LT + R Hold ↓ |
| Heel to Heel | R Flick ↑↓ | R Flick ↑↓ |
| Simple Rainbow | R Flick ↓↑↑ | R Flick ↓↑↑ |
| Spin Left | Hold R2 + R1 + Rotate R ↖ | Hold RT + RB + Rotate R ↖ |
| Spin Right | Hold R2 + R1 + Rotate R ↗ | Hold RT + RB + Rotate R ↗ |
| Stop & Turn Left | R Flick ↑ then ← | R Flick ↑ then ← |
| Stop & Turn Right | R Flick ↑ then → | R Flick ↑ then → |
| Ball Roll Cut Right | R Hold ← + L → | R Hold ← + L → |
| Ball Roll Cut Left | R Hold → + L ← | R Hold → + L ← |
| Fake Pass | Hold R2 + ■ or ○ then X | Hold RT + X or B then A |
| Fake Pass Exit Left | Hold R2 + ■ or ○ then X + L ↖ | Hold RT + X or B then A + L ↖ |
| Fake Pass Exit Right | Hold R2 + ■ or ○ then X + L ↗ | Hold RT + X or B then A + L ↗ |
| Quick Ball Rolls | R Hold ↓ | R Hold ↓ |
| Lane Change Left | Hold L1 + R Hold ← | Hold LB + R Hold ← |
| Lane Change Right | Hold L1 + R Hold → | Hold LB + R Hold → |
| Three Touch Roulette Left | Hold L2 + R Flick ↓ then ← | Hold LT + R Flick ↓ then ← |
| Three Touch Roulette Right | Hold L2 + R Flick ↓ then → | Hold LT + R Flick ↓ then → |
| Drag Back Spin Left | R Flick ↓ then ← | R Flick ↓ then ← |
| Drag Back Spin Right | R Flick ↓ then → | R Flick ↓ then → |
| Drag to Heel | L1 + R Flick ↓ then ←/→ | LB + R Flick ↓ then ←/→ |
| Heel to Ball Roll | L1 + R Flick ↑ then ↓ | LB + R Flick ↑ then ↓ |
| Ball Roll Cut | L1 + R Flick ↓↓ | LB + R Flick ↓↓ |
| Ball Roll Spin | TBA | TBA |
| Stepover Combo | TBA | TBA |
The standout entries are the drag and roll variations. Ball Roll Cut and Ball Roll Drag let you shift the ball laterally and then explode in a new direction, while the Fake Pass family sells a pass and bursts past a defender who steps to intercept — superb for playing through a pressing opponent. The Simple Rainbow flicks the ball over a defender’s head, and the Three Touch Roulette is a slower, more deliberate spin that keeps the ball glued to your feet. The new Ball Roll Spin and Stepover Combo also sit at four stars, with inputs to be confirmed.
5-Star Skill Moves
Five-star moves are the showpiece tricks reserved for the very best dribblers in the game. They are harder to execute, demand precise stick timing, and carry more risk — but in the hands of a Mbappé or a Dembélé, they win matches. Only a small group of players can perform them, which is exactly why five-star skillers are so coveted in the transfer market.
| Move | PlayStation | Xbox |
|---|---|---|
| Elastico | R → rotate ↓← | R → rotate ↓← |
| Reverse Elastico | R ← rotate ↓→ | R ← rotate ↓→ |
| Advanced Rainbow | R Flick ↓ hold ↑ ↑ | R Flick ↓ hold ↑ ↑ |
| Hocus Pocus | R rotate ↓←↓→ | R rotate ↓←↓→ |
| Triple Elastico | R rotate ↓→↓← | R rotate ↓→↓← |
| Ball Roll Flick Left | R Hold → then Flick ↑ | R Hold → then Flick ↑ |
| Ball Roll Flick Right | R Hold ← then Flick ↑ | R Hold ← then Flick ↑ |
| Heel Flick Turn | Hold R1 + R Flick ↑↓ | Hold RB + R Flick ↑↓ |
| Sombrero Flick | R Flick ↑↑↓ | R Flick ↑↑↓ |
| Turn & Spin Left | R Flick ↑ then ← | R Flick ↑ then ← |
| Turn & Spin Right | R Flick ↑ then → | R Flick ↑ then → |
| Ball Roll Fake Left | R Hold ← then R Flick ← | R Hold ← then R Flick ← |
| Ball Roll Fake Right | R Hold → then R Flick → | R Hold → then R Flick → |
| Ball Roll Fake Turn | Hold L2 + R Flick ↑ then ←/→ | Hold LT + R Flick ↑ then ←/→ |
| Rabona Fake | Hold L2 + ■ or ○ then X + L ↓ | Hold LT + X or B then A + L ↓ |
| Elastico Chop Left | R Flick ↓ then ← | R Flick ↓ then ← |
| Elastico Chop Right | R Flick ↓ then → | R Flick ↓ then → |
| Spin Flick Left | Hold R1 + R Flick ↑ then ← | Hold RB + R Flick ↑ then ← |
| Spin Flick Right | Hold R1 + R Flick ↑ then → | Hold RB + R Flick ↑ then → |
| Flick Over | R Hold ↑ | R Hold ↑ |
| Tornado Spin | Hold L1 + R Flick ↑ then ←/→ | Hold LB + R Flick ↑ then ←/→ |
| Heel Fake | Hold L2 + R ←→ or →← | Hold LT + R ←→ or →← |
| Flair Rainbow | Hold L2 + R Flick ↑↓ | Hold LT + R Flick ↑↓ |
| Kneel Header | TBA | TBA |
The Elastico and Reverse Elastico are the iconic five-star moves: a lightning snap of the ball to one side and back that leaves a committed defender flat-footed. The Advanced Rainbow lofts the ball over an opponent for a spectacular escape, while the Hocus Pocus and Triple Elastico are elaborate combinations best saved for space rather than a crowded box. Practise the Ball Roll Flick and Heel Flick Turn for reliable, repeatable results before you attempt the flashier chains. The new five-star Kneel Header is a style move with its input still to be confirmed.
5-Star Juggling Tricks
Juggling tricks are a special category of five-star moves performed while the ball is in the air, usually after a Flick Up (R3) has lifted it off the ground. They are among the most technically demanding inputs in the game and are used far more for creativity and set-piece flair than for beating a defender in a live duel. Still, a well-executed sombrero over an onrushing challenge is one of the most satisfying moments FC 27 offers.
| Juggling Trick | PlayStation | Xbox |
|---|---|---|
| Sombrero Flick Backwards | Hold L2 + R1 + L ↓ | Hold LT + RB + L ↓ |
| Sombrero Flick Left | Hold L2 + R1 + L ← | Hold LT + RB + L ← |
| Sombrero Flick Right | Hold L2 + R1 + L → | Hold LT + RB + L → |
| Around the World | Hold L2 + Rotate R any direction | Hold LT + Rotate R any direction |
| In Air Elastico | Hold L2 + R Flick →← | Hold LT + R Flick →← |
| Reverse In Air Elastico | Hold L2 + R Flick ←→ | Hold LT + R Flick ←→ |
| Flick Up | Hold L ↑ | Hold L ↑ |
| Chest Flick | Hold L2 + L3 x2 | Hold LT + L3 x2 |
| T. Around the World | Hold L2 + Rotate R clockwise then R Flick ↑ | Hold LT + Rotate R clockwise then R Flick ↑ |
The Sombrero Flick variants pop the ball up and over in a chosen direction, while Around the World and its timed variant (T. Around the World) circle the stick around the raised ball for pure showboating. The In Air Elastico applies the classic snap while the ball is airborne. These are advanced, situational tricks — learn them last, and only after your grounded dribbling is rock solid.
Best 5-Star Skillers in FC 27
To make the most of the five-star and juggling moves above, you need players rated to perform them. The dribblers below combine a five-star skill ceiling with the pace, agility, and control that turn a completed move into a real advantage. They are among the most sought-after attackers in the game, and building an attack around one or two of them transforms how much of this guide you can actually use.
| Player | Overall (OVR) | Why they stand out |
|---|---|---|
| Kylian Mbappé | 91 | Blistering pace turns any completed move into a clean break. |
| Ousmane Dembélé | 90 | Two-footed and unpredictable, brilliant in tight touchline duels. |
| Vinícius Jr. | 89 | Explosive acceleration out of stepovers and elasticos. |
| Alexia Putellas | 91 | Elite close control for patient, central unlocking. |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | 85 | Lower pace now, but chops and stepovers still create shooting room. |
| Khvicha Kvaratskhelia | 87 | Loves cutting inside off the left with quick feints. |
| Caroline Graham Hansen | 90 | Sharp wide dribbler who thrives on ball rolls and body feints. |
| Jamal Musiala | 88 | Silky in congested midfield pockets, ghosts past challenges. |
| Debinha | 88 | Compact, agile, and superb in one-on-ones. |
| Lamine Yamal | 89 | Fearless young winger with quick change of direction. |
Pace and agility matter as much as the skill rating itself: a five-star move only helps if you can accelerate away once it lands. If you want to assemble a squad of elite skillers without the grind, you can buy FC 27 Coins and boosts at Onlyfarms and prioritise the dribblers that suit your style.
Should You Use Skill Moves? Tips for Every Level
The biggest mistake new players make is treating skill moves as an end in themselves. They are a tool to create space, not a substitute for good positioning and passing. The best dribblers in FC 27 use a small handful of moves at exactly the right moment rather than cycling through their whole repertoire in the middle of the pitch. As a rule of thumb, it is better to use three moves well than to know twenty badly.
Start with the fundamentals. The Ball Roll, Drag Back, Stepover, Heel to Heel, and Elastico form the core toolkit that will carry you through the vast majority of situations. Get these clean and consistent before you touch the flashier five-star chains.
- Practise in the right place. Use the Practice Arena, Skill Games, Squad Battles, and offline matches to build muscle memory before risking a move in competitive play.
- Use space, not traffic. Skill moves shine when you have a yard to work with. Attempting an elastico surrounded by three defenders usually ends in a turnover.
- Chain into an exit. A move only works if you accelerate away from it. Always know your next touch — a burst of pace, a pass, or a shot — before you start the trick.
- Match the move to the player. Check the skill-move rating before you rely on a trick; a three-star player will never complete a five-star input.
- Vary your rhythm. Good opponents read repetition. Mix simple feints with the occasional bigger move to keep defenders guessing.
There is also a set of simplified right-stick shortcuts for players who want effective dribbling without memorising every combination. Pushing the right stick forward, sideways, or back triggers a context-appropriate move scaled to your player’s rating — a low-skill roulette or roulette going forward, a ball roll or stop-and-turn to the side, and a feint-and-exit going back. It is a gentler on-ramp while you build toward the manual inputs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly are skill moves in FC 27?
They are special dribbling tricks performed with the right stick and modifier buttons. Their purpose is to improve your close control and create scoring chances by wrong-footing defenders.
Which skill moves are new this year?
FC 27 introduces the Fake Turn, Ball Roll Spin, Stepover Combo, and Kneel Header. A few of these still have inputs being finalised by EA.
How are most skill moves performed?
The large majority use the right stick combined with a shoulder or trigger modifier — L1/LB, L2/LT, R1/RB, or R2/RT — or a fake-shot input. Once you learn the flick, hold, and rotate motions, most inputs become intuitive.
What is the single best move to learn first?
The Ball Roll for its simplicity and reliability, and the Elastico once you have a five-star player and want a genuine one-on-one weapon.
What should a beginner prioritise?
Focus on the Ball Roll, Body Feint, Drag Back, Stepover, and Heel Flick. These cover most match situations and build the foundation for everything else.
Can any player use five-star skill moves?
No. Players can only perform moves up to their own skill-move rating. A three-star player is locked out of four- and five-star tricks no matter how well you input them.
Where is the best place to practise?
Use the Practice Arena, Skill Games, Squad Battles, and offline matches to drill inputs safely before taking them into ranked or online play.