Soccer Controls and Tips

Soccer is a ball sport in Nintendo Switch Sports which features one-on-one, four-on-four, and a shoot-out mode. Read on to learn Soccer's controls and mechanics, how to use the Leg Strap accessory, and several tips on how to win at every mode in soccer!

How to Play Soccer

Soccer General Information

Soccer Overview
Difficulty	★★★★★
Objective	Win the match by scoring more points than your opponent before the time limit or having a 4 point lead. Points are earned by kicking the ball into the goal of the opposing team.
Match Times	One-on-One: 2 Minutes Four-On-Four: 3 Minutes
Number of Players	Local Multiplayer: 2 (1v1) Online Multiplayer: 8 (4v4) Random Matchmaking: 8 (4v4)

All Soccer Bonus Multipliers

Bonus	Points/Multiplier	How to Get
Play Bonus	30 Points	Finish the match.
Victory Bonus	x1.2	Win the match.
Knockout!	x1.1	Gain a 4-point lead and automatically win the match.
Went to Extra Time	x1.1	Force an overtime by having the score tied when the time limit ends.
MVP Bonus	x1.1	Be the highest-scoring player in the match.

You can earn point bonuses after soccer matches depending on your performance during the game. Try strategizing with your teammate and aim to score the most goals to earn more points!

If you are in a heated match, getting the game into overtime will also net you bonus points!

All Modes for Soccer

One-on-One	One-on-One allows you to play soccer with only you and one other player or CPU. Best for those who prefer solo gameplay.
Four-on-Four	Four-on-Four matches allow you to play in teams of four. This mode requires teamwork and coordination with other players.
Free Practice	Free Practice is a non-competitive mode in Soccer that allows you to freely practice kicking, running with, and handling the ball.
Shoot-Out	Shoot-Out Mode requires the use of the Leg-Strap Accessory. Score individual balls into the goal by kicking them as they fly by.

Soccer Matches (1v1 and 4v4)

Kick the Large Ball into the Goal

In soccer, you will need to advance the large ball towards the goal of the opposite team while preventing the other team from stealing the ball and kicking it into your own goal. Each regular goal awards your team with one point.

Each Match Has a Set Duration

Each soccer match lasts for a set duration. For one-on-one matches, the match will go on for two minutes, while four-on-four matches will take three minutes to compensate for the bigger field and more number of players.

To win the match, you will need to earn more points than your opponent by the end of the match.

Match Extends to Extra Time in Case of Ties

If time runs out and both teams are tied, the game will automatically extend into Extra Time. The game will then end after one team scores a goal and will be declared the winner.

The goal will also be bigger during Extra Time to make way for easier goals.

Standard Goal	Goal During Extra Time

Teams with a Four-Point Lead Win the Game

Once a team has a four-point lead, they will automatically win the game and the game will end as a mercy to the losing team. This is also known as a knockout win.

View Player Positions on the Minimap

You can check your teammates' and your opponent's positions at the minimap displayed at the lower-left corner of the screen. You can also spot where the ball is on the map!

The minimap can be set to rotate or remain fixed while you are moving, and can be changed anytime in User Settings from the Options menu.

Recommended Settings

Dashing Consumes Stamina

To the right of your avatar, you can see a stamina wheel. You slowly recover stamina when you run at a brisk pace or stand still. However, you will occasionally need to sprint to chase and catch the ball, which consumes your stamina.

If you try to dash with your stamina depleted, you will run slower than normal and your stamina bar will not regenerate unless you run normally or stand still. You will also regain a small amount of stamina after every goal.

Shoot the Golden Ball for Double the Points

When one team has a 2-point lead over the other team, the regular soccer ball can be replaced with a golden one. The golden soccer ball is worth double the points when shot into the goal.

This golden soccer ball will appear in both one-on-one and four-on-four rulesets, so try getting a goal when this ball is in play to either extend your lead or turn the tide of the match!

Shoot-Out Mode

Use the Leg Strap Accessory

The Leg Strap Accessory is required to play Soccer Shoot-Out Mode. Insert your left Joy-Con controller into the accessory and attach it to the thigh of your dominant leg. You can set which leg is dominant in the User Settings of the game.

Leg Strap Compatibility Update

Difficulty Increases as You Score More Goals

In Shoot-Out Mode, the diffficulty ramps up as you attempt more kicks. The goal will get progressively narrower as the match goes on.

Shoot the Golden Ball for Double the Points

Just like in regular soccer matches, a golden soccer ball appears at the end of Shoot-Out Mode that gives two points instead of the usual one point. You can use this final golden ball to make up for lost points in previous rounds.

How to Win in Soccer

How to Win Each Soccer Mode
One-on-One	Four-on-Four	Shoot-Out Mode

One-on-One Soccer

How to Win in One-on-One Soccer
Avoid Kicking in Front of Your Opponent
Kick Diagonally Forward when Being Chased
Guard the Goal when Defending
Conserve Your Stamina

Avoid Kicking in Front of Your Opponent

Avoid kicking the ball directly to your opponent. One-on-one soccer matches takes place in a small field, and kicking the ball towards your enemy will only force them to kick the ball over you and towards their goal.

Kick Diagonally Forward when Being Chased

If your opponent is dashing towards you, kick the ball diagonally forward. This will waste their stamina, and you can simply run towards the ball while your enemy will struggle to catch up.

Guard the Goal when Defending

If you do not have possession of the ball, run back to the opponent's goal and guard the area. If they take a shot, you can easily block the ball and kick it back towards your goal.

Conserve Your Stamina

Pay attention to your stamina and avoid using it when it is not necessary to run. Dash and use your stamina when you're near the goal and in a clear line towards scoring a point.

Four-on-Four Soccer

How to Win in Four-on-Four Soccer
Pick a Role
Coordinate With Your Team
Pass the Ball to a Teammate when Cornered

Pick a Role

Since four-on-four soccer has more players, it is important to pick a role. If everyone is focused on attacking and scoring, no one will be left behind the goal to stop your opponent's attempts to score.

If you see the rest of your team run towards the other side of the field, it is a good idea to say and act as your team's goalkeeper.

Coordinate With Your Team

Four-on-four soccer is held in a large field. It is recommended to try to coordinate with your team and come up with a strategy. It is spacious enough to maneuver around opponents and pass the ball to a teammate who is near the goal.

Pass the Ball to a Teammate when Cornered

Based on our experience, many players underutilize the very important passing feature in soccer. When the opposing team is coming at you from all sides, you can pass the ball to a teammate to maintain control of the ball. It is much more efficient than kicking it in their direction.

Shoot-Out Mode

Kick After the Ball Bounces

Aim to kick the ball just right after it bounces in front of you. This will ensure that the ball will travel directly to the center of the goal.

This will take some practice, but once you get the hang of it, you will be able to consistently score a point in Shoot-Out mode, regardless of the size of the goal.

Soccer Controls

General Controls

Actions	How to Execute
Move Character	Move using the Left Stick Move your character around the field with the Left Stick of the left Joy-Con controller
Move Camera	Move the camera with the Right Stick Move the camera around using the Right Stick of the right Joy-Con controller. The camera will also slowly focus back on the soccer ball when moved. Camera controls in Soccer can be reversed in the User Settings.
Dash	Press and hold ZL Press and hold the ZL button to dash. Dashing consumes stamina, so keep an eye at your stamina gauge!
Jump	Press B Press the B button to jump. You can also kick mid-air by swinging the Joy-Con while jumping.
Ping a Teammate	Press A While playing in four-on-four matches, press A to send a ping to your teammate. You can use this to communicate with them to pass the ball to you, especially when you are free and open.

Kicks and Diving Headers

Actions	How to Execute
Overhead Kick	Swing your Joy-Con controller upwards
Low Kick	Swing your Joy-Con controller downwards
Diagonal Kick	Swing your Joy-Con controller sidewards
Kick Consecutively	Swing your Joy-Con controller sidewards While in the air, you can do up to three consecutive kicks. This is useful for catching the ball midair and passing it to someone, or sending the ball away if you are playing as your team's goalkeeper.
Kick (Leg Strap)	Thrust your leg forward in a kicking motion Attach the accessory to the thigh of your dominant leg and insert your left Joy-Con controller to hit the ball with intuitive kicking motions.
Pass	Hold ZR and kick the ball To pass the ball to your teammate, hold the ZR button and kick it towards them. The ball will travel to the nearest teammate in the direction you kicked.
Diving Headers	Swing both of your Joy-Con controllers upwards Launch your Sportsmate forward to hit the ball with their head, allowing it to travel farther and faster than with standard kicks. This technique is often used to score spectacular goals, and the angle where the ball is hit will affect its trajectory. Take note that performing a Diving Header will consume a portion of your stamina.

If you want to make the ball curve in a certain direction after kicking it, you can twist the Joy-Con while swinging the controller.

Free Practice Controls

Throw Ball Towards You	Press A
Summon Ball in front of You	Hold A

Soccer Online Play

One-on-One Mode

Playing in a one-on-one match will bring you face-to-face with a random player.

Four-on-Four Mode

Four-on-four mode matches will include seven other players. You can also pair up with a friend in the same room and play on the same team, provided that you have two pairs of Joy-Con controllers.

Local and Online Multiplayer Features

Switch Sports Related Guides

Nintendo Switch Sports Guides

All Guide Categories

Site Map
News & Game Info	Patch Notes	Message Boards
Tips and Tricks	Items	Titles
Collections	-	-
List of Sports
Badminton	Bowling	Chambara
Golf	Soccer	Tennis
Volleyball	-	-