Very used by some players, ignored by others and even unknown for some players. Let us explain to our readers how to use the balance bar (Also known as attack/defense bar) and in what situations it proves to be useful.
I have used the balance bar in previous versions of PES, but I can’t change it in PES 13, what happened?
The default configuration for PES 13 only allows the player control by the analog sticks, so, to use the balance bar, the following command is required:
1) Keep the L2 pressed
2) Press directional up or down, to increase or decrease,respectively.
But I would change the balance bar in the same way I did before, is it possible?
Yes it is possible. In the player side selection screen, press Square and you will be directed to the following screen:
Then go to the Settings Button and you will see the screen below:
By changing the option to Move Players shown in the picture, you’ll be allowed to modify the balance bar in the old way, in other words:
1) Hold down the select;
2) Press L1 and L2 to increase or decrease the balance bar, respectively;
What is the balance bar and how can I use it to my advantage?
The balance bar allows, during the match, you to change the attitude of your team, making it act more offensive or defensively. You can choose from five possible levels, as pictures below:
1) Very Defensive - On situations when you need to ensure the score (eg, the match is close to the end) is a very good option, because your team will become shrunk, more compact and therefore your opponent will find it harder to find scoring chances. While maintaining the balance bar at this level allows you to defend yourself easier, it is not recommended to keep it for the whole match because your offensiveness will be severely compromised and consequently it will increase the opponent’s pressure;
2) Defensive - This level is interesting to slightly decrease the offensiveness of your team, making it less vulnerable to counter-attacks. It can be useful for situations with advantageous score (at least two goals’ difference):
3) Neutral - This is the default option, leave it at this level if you want your team to have a balanced behavior in relation to offense and defense:
4) Offensive - This level will increase considerably the offensiveness of your team. This option is well suited for two situations: first, when your team is at a disadvantage on the scoreboard and in the second, when your team shows superiority in the field and you want to get a more elastic result. Always remember the more offensiva a team is, it becomes more vulnerable to counter-attacks:
5) Very Offensive - This level will make your team the most offensive possible, but it is the most vulnerable to counterattacks. It should be used only at a disadvantage on the scoreboard and in which the game is nearing completion.
How does the balance bar influence the position that I set for my players?
For example, let’s say you have defined a player half as CMF (Central Midfielder), to act as a. That will be the player's behavior while you keep the balance bar in neutral. If you lower the bar in a level (defensive), this player will support more defense than attack, behaving similarly to a DMF [Defensive Midfielder]. Likewise, if you raise the bar on one level (offensive), this player will support more attack than defense, like a playmaker [AMF] acts in the game.
