Player Skills in PES 2021
Player Skills were first introduced in 2014 (just like Playing Styles) and are very important in 2 ways: it's what set players apart and very useful when it comes to scouting for a specific player.
In PES 2020, 3 new skills were introduced: "Long Range Shooting", "Through Passing" and "Gamesmanship" (formerly known in PES 2019 as "Malicia"). All remain available in PES 2021 - Season Update.
Player Skills - The Complete List
In PES 2021, there are 41 different Player Skills. This is how Konami describes each one.
Scissors Feint
Enables players to execute the Scissors Feint at high speed.
Double Touch
Enables players to quickly execute the Double Touch.
Flip Flap
Enables players to execute the Flip Flap.
Marseille Turn
Enables players to execute the Marseille Turn.
Sombrero
Enables players to execute the Boomerang Trap and the Crescent Turn.
Cross Over Turn
Enables players to quickly execute the Cross Over Turn.
Cut Behind & Turn
Enables players to execute the Cut Behind.
Scotch Move
Enables players to execute the Scotch Move.
Step On Skill control
Enables step on ball control to execute feints and turns.
Heading
Improves the accuracy of headers as well as the frequency of downward headers.
Long Range Drive
Enables players to hit curling shots with great accuracy from a distance.
Chip shot control
Enables accurate chip shots.
Long Range Shooting
A measure of how accurately the player can shoot at long range.
Knuckle Shot
Enables players to hit knuckle shots with greater ease, also applies to Free Kicks.
Dipping Shot
Enables top spin shots that bounce erratically in front of the goalkeeper.
Rising Shots
Enables shots that begin with a low trajectory that rise sharply.
Acrobatic Finishing
Enables players to find a finish even from from awkward positions or when off balance.
Heel Trick
Enables players to pass and shoot using the heel, even from awkward positions or when off balance.
First-time Shot
Improves technique and precision when taking first-time shots.
One-touch Pass
Improves technique and precision when playing one-touch passes.
Through Passing
Increases the accuracy of a player's through balls.
Weighted Pass
Enables players to apply back-spin when playing lofted passes and through balls improving accuracy.
Pinpoint Crossing
Enables players to curl in crosses with great accuracy.
Outside Curler
Enables players to shoot and pass using the outside of the boot even at long distances.
Rabona
Enables players to execute a Rabona and means they can pass or shoot when the opposition is not expecting it.
No Look Pass
Enables passes that misdirect opponents.
Low Lofted Pass
Enables players to hit a long accurate Lofted Pass with a low trajectory when appropriate.
GK Low Punt
Enables players to take long accurate punt kicks with a low trajectory.
GK High Punt
Enables goalkeepers to take long, high punt kicks that end up deep in opposition territory.
Long Throw
Improves the range of long throws.
GK Long Throw
Improves the range on throws by the goalkeeper.
Penalty Specialist
Enables higher accuracy penalty kicks.
GK Penalty Saver
Enables better goalkeeping reactions against penalty kicks.
Gamesmanship
Enables players to win free kicks when on the ball.
Man Marking
Enables a player to stick to and persistently chase down an opponent.
Track Back
Enables an offensive player to actively pressure the opposition player who is on the ball to try to win it back.
Interception
Enables better interception skills.
Acrobatic Clear
Enables players to clear the ball using their feet, even from awkward positions.
Captaincy
Become the team's inspiration on the pitch, reducing the effects of fatigue for all the team.
Super-sub
Improves player's abilities when introduced in the second half of the game.
Fighting Spirit
Enables players to perform better under pressure and fatigue, as well as adversity.