So after bouncing around division 4, 5, and 6 for most of the year, I've made my way to D2 last night, winning the D3 title. Here's a few things I changed about my game that I think went a long way,
@JAR201166:
1) not trying to sleep walk through games. With FIFA offline and even back to NCAA, I often play a game or two and then basically go through the motions if I play anymore. If you aren't playing a total scrub, you can't do that and expect success. I've also treated each game more srsly - getting a feel for my opponent's tactics/game plan and then adjusting accordingly. I'm a pretty rare higher-ish level player who plays high pressure, so people typically adjust to me midgame, and then I have to adjust again.
2) keeping my shape defensively. I high pressure for the first few passes, but after that - just like you would in real life - I'll drop off. I've started cutting passing lanes with my midfield instead of sprinting in to press the ball. Also, don't hold sprint as you make a tackle, that's how you get those shitty deflections.
3) using shield and laying off sprint when I have the ball. Pretty self explanatory, but this has really help me keep possession. Also, realizing I can't sprint past the defense. I've become much more patient in possession.
4) low driven shot. This is money inside the box. I still need to get better with it from 16-20 yards, and stop using it outside of that. This is where you hold shoot to power it up, and then tap it again to keep the ball low and driven into the corners.
I have a somewhat lofty goal of elite this weekend - it's entirely possible if I keep playing like I am and have opportunities to take breaks and keep my focus.