How to Play Blitzball

Move the control stick to move the character with the ball. You can never control a character that does not possess the ball. If your movement mode is set to "Auto," you cannot control the character with the ball either. All other player movement is handled by the artificial intelligence (AI).

Press the "Square" button to open the action menu. This menu allows you to pass, shoot or use special techniques. One of your characters must have the ball to open this menu. If an opposing player is near the ball carrier, he has the option to attempt to tackle your player or attempt to block the pass or block.

Choose the action from the menu. The success or failure of it is determined by your character's attributes and, if applicable, the attributes of the opposing player. Longer shots and passes are more likely to fail. Special techniques have a hit points (HP) cost that must be paid to use them.

Press the "X" button when the word "Techcopy" appears on the screen. This only occurs when an opponent uses a special technique that is not known by one of your players. There is a very short timing window to press this button. Even if the button is correctly timed, there is a random chance you still do not learn the technique.