Balance
Checked
In one sentence
When a challenge staggers a player without knocking him down, low Balance keeps him stuck in the stagger longer.
Who does this affect?
Every player, whether you or the CPU controls him
89
Build target
Recovery works in steps at 75, 83, 89 and 95 (then 100, 110, 120 with boosters). Between steps a point only makes the stagger play slightly faster.
How it works
The extra time is up to 5 ticks (0.19 s) at low Balance and falls one tick per step. At 89 it is 2 ticks (0.07 s). Falls are not affected: whether a player goes down is decided by Physical Contact and the tackle.
Step
| 74 → 75 | −1 tick |
| 82 → 83 | −1 tick |
| 88 → 89 | −1 tick |
| 94 → 95 | −1 tick |
| 100, 110, 120 | −1 tick each (boosters) |
Booster points: Boosters count: 100, 110 and 120 are three more steps; from 110 he can even leave a stagger before its normal exit point.
In numbers
Chart values
| 75 | 4 |
| 83 | 3 |
| 89 | 2 |
| 95 | 1 |
| 100 | 0 |
| 110 | -1 |
| 120 | -2 |
Chart values
| 60 | 42 |
| 70 | 12 |
| 82 | 0 |
Common questions
Does Balance stop a player from being knocked down?
Short answerNo
Falls and trips read Physical Contact only. Balance shortens staggers and helps dribblers evade.
Does Balance help shooting or passing off balance?
Short answerNo
No kick or accuracy code reads Balance.
Does Balance make turns quicker?
Short answerNo
No turning or locomotion code reads Balance.
The maths
ConditionAgainst a standing tackle from behind (more than 135° off his facing), a ball carrier only gets his evasive move if Dribbling + Balance is at least 150. From the front or side there is no such limit.
BendA sprinting dribbler (11–25 km/h) only tries to ride a shoulder challenge that comes from far enough behind his running line: at least 135° off at Balance 40, 112° at 80, 56° at 99 and 45° at 120. Physical Contact then decides whether he keeps running. This keeps paying up to 99.
DetailStagger animations play faster: 95 % speed at 40, 102 % at 80, 110 % at 99, 115 % at 120.
DetailLeaving a shoulder-to-shoulder jostle takes 2 extra ticks at 40, 1 at 41–80 and none from 81.