- "Football" redirects here. For the collection set, see Football & Cheerleader Collection.
Soccer (otherwise known as Football in English regions outside of the U.S.) is one of the 8 sports currently in Nintendo Switch Sports, and one of the 3 newly introduced sports.
Overview[]
The goal of Soccer is to score as many points as possible within a given time limit, rather than achieve a certain amount of points within an infinite time. It can be played 1-on-1 or 4-on-4, as well as in local, free play, and shootout. It is the only sport in the game that requires 2 controllers.
Starting from the 1.2.0 update, you can use the leg strap accessory to kick the ball in 1-on-1 and 4-on-4, rather than only shoot-out mode. In Play Globally, there are different Pro Leagues for Two-Hand Mode and Leg Strap Mode. The method to activate it differs depending on the mode:
- In Play Globally, highlight Soccer on the sport selection screen and press X.
- In Play Locally and Play with Friends, press + on the screen showing how to hold the Joy-Con controllers.
There are no designated goalkeepers, with players free to choose whether to focus on offense or defense at any time. There are also no free kicks, penalty kicks, or corner kicks. Kickoffs are contested with a drop ball, as opposed to the team that was scored against starting play from the ground.
In 1-on-1, 4-on-4, and Free Practice, the edges of the field have walls that the ball can bounce off (instead of going out for a throw-in), similar to cageball and North American indoor soccer.
In 1-on-1 and 4-on-4, if a team is ahead by 2 goals (e.g. 2-0 or 3-1), the next play will feature a Golden Ball that counts double. If the leading team scores with it, they win the match instantly with a "Knockout" win; but if the trailing team scores, the teams will be tied (e.g. 2-2 or 3-3) and often with little time remaining until Overtime.
Modes[]
1-on-1[]
Play against another player (or CPU) in a small field. The same game rules apply, but can only be played locally. Matches last 2 minutes (with the clock stopping after goals).
"A solo test of soccer practice. Control the ball and score!" (in-game description)
4-on-4[]
Two teams of four go head to head on a large playing field. Same game rules apply, and it can be played both locally and online, and is in fact the only competitive mode available in online matchmaking. Matches last 3 minutes (with the clock stopping after goals). If the match is tied after 3 minutes, Overtime instantly begins where the goalposts are moved much further apart. If Overtime lasts 3 minutes without any goals being scored, the match is declared a tie.
"Teamwork is the key to victory in this mode!" (in-game description)
Free Practice[]
Use this mode to practice your soccer skills, or try some trick shots (maybe). Players can choose between "Big Field" and "Small Field"; Free Practice on Big Field is used in the online waiting room before 4-on-4 matches.
Unique to Free Practice, pressing A will make the ball fly directly towards the player. Such a move is not possible in any other game modes.
If the player kicks the ball 10 times in a row without it touching the ground, the ball will change into the Golden Ball for the remainder of that Free Practice session.
"Just you and the ball. Practice kicking as much as you like." (in-game description)
Shoot-Out[]
Requires leg strap accessory
Kick the ball into the goal in a one-on-one competition. Movement is disabled, and it can only be played locally.
"Use your legs to score goals in a one-on-one shoot-out!" (in-game description)
Stamina[]
Stamina is how much your character can dash before not being able to. Running and kicking do not use stamina, but dashing and diving headers do. It will take longer to recover if you use a diving header while you're already low.
Moves[]
Kick[]
Swing a controller to kick. Can be in many directions. The basic way of moving the ball. No stamina usage. Twist the Joy-Con while kicking to have the ball curve in mid-air. In Leg Strap Mode, move your leg. Kicks done in Leg Strap Mode are more powerful due to the lack of Diving Headers.
Pass[]
Hold ZR while kicking. Automatically kicks the ball towards a nearby teammate. No stamina.
Diving Header[]
Shake both controllers down. Best way to score from a distance, or if you need to approach the ball fast. Lots of stamina usage. Cannot be done in Leg Strap Mode.
Run[]
Moving with the L Stick. No stamina. In Leg Strap Mode, running is automatic, but the L stick can also be used.
Dash[]
Hold ZL. Move very quickly. Uses stamina. In Leg Strap Mode, shake the Joy-Con in your hand.
Jump[]
Press B. Can reach the ball in air for kicks or diving headers. Holding B results in a higher jump. No stamina. In Leg Strap mode, jumping automatically happens when the ball is airborne.
Scoring[]
Kick the ball into the opposing team's goal to score. Rather than reach a point count, you need to score as much as possible within a time limit. Gold balls spawn after someone is two points ahead. If both teams are tied by the end of the timer, overtime will occur, where the first team to score takes the win. If overtime takes too long, the match will be declared a draw.
Tips[]
- Teamwork is an important aspect of the game, so don’t forget that you aren’t the only one on the team in 4 on 4.
- Use diving headers when you have a straight shot. Overusing them will make you lose lots of stamina, as well your stamina taking longer to recover.
- Watch out for the stamina indicator - be careful not to overuse it.
- Occasionally, a team in online 4v4 will have 3 (or fewer) players. If this occurs while in the Pro League, the short-staffed team's players will not have their ranking deducted if they lose the match, so the pressure-free players can feel free to attempt risky moves to go for an underdog win.
Collection points[]
Applied in order from top to bottom:
- Play Bonus: 30 points
- Went to Extra Time: ×1.1
- Hustle Award: ×1.1
- Event Bonus: ×1.5, ×2, or ×3
Gallery[]
