Really now, what true sports gamer gleans self-worth by beating up exclusively on the computer?

With the advent of high-speed Internet access (well, for most of us…I’m looking at you, Mr. Token “I’m stealing Wi-Fi from the guy two floors below me” Guy) and the breadth of online capability, many of us sports gamers have ditched the single-player experience for competing against real humans. So, with the release of Pro Evolution Soccer to North America right around the corner, sports gaming fans on the next generation consoles might wonder how to settle into a proper playing style and etiquette for Konami’s acclaimed futbol game.

What make PES and FIFA great multi-player experiences is that the game is relatively glitch-free, and by that, I mean the free-flow style of soccer eliminates money shots (think J.J. Redick in any of the March Madness games) or money plays (Michael Vick roll-outs from Madden ’04 still give me nightmares). Plus, when you factor in the difficulty of netting a goal, even wide open ones, and you get a relatively fair, amorphous multi-player experience.

So if you’re looking to snatch up an Xbox360, PlayStation3, or Nintendo Wii version of Pro Evolution Soccer, let me introduce you to some of the basics you need to know when you jump online and play against a buddy for the first time.

The Dos
First, before you even start your match, try to show respect to your opponent by not producing some type of weird formation, like a 3-2-1-4 formation, with four strikers roving around the penalty box. A fair criticism of any Pro Evolution Soccer is that you can destroy relatively, conservative defensive sets with one well-timed through pass. Awkward formations – think the soccer version of North Carolina’s Four Corners – that dramatically drag centre forwards and wingers to the sidelines.

If you accomplish that, you must know learn to emphasize the little intricacies of human versus human competition that almost never come up against the CPU. First, the use of fakes and feints are so much more effective against online or human opponents. The reason: the shot and long-pass metres that you can bring up and cancel (the X button on PS3) rarely trick the opponent but almost always catch a human opponent by surprise. To make an NFL or college football analogy, think of the fake snap that you can do, that nearly never works against the CPU but can draw humans offsides. The same applies here in Winning, where a well-time shot feint inside the penalty box can often draw a penalty kick due to an errant slide tackle.

Also, especially when receiving a pass and making your first touch, waiting just a half-second longer will often create humongous areas of space to maneuver with the ensuing dribbling. As the multi-player game ebbs and flows, a certain cadence settles in. Take advantage of that by, well, releasing the turbo button once in a while and watch opposing defenders fly by.

The Dont's
Now, after all your hard work has paid off into a goal (many cosmopolitan gamers believe that a goal in Winning/PES is the most rewarding sports gaming experience out there, due to the relative degree of difficulty and infrequency), you have to watch your etiquette. A fair share of celebration, be it verbally or with some type of victory dance, is all well and good, but many gamers will be peeved if you decide to play the replay of a relatively simple tap-in goal more than once. Or if you go slow-mo to catch the angle of a non-spectacular goal. Now, if you rocket in a free-kick with Juninho from Olympique Lyonnais from 40 yards, feel free to gloat and rewind as much as you want. However, if a lucky corner kick ricochets off an unknowing player’s shin guard, you might want to pass on by.

Just use your good manners here: If you’re up by more than 3 goals, no goal, however spectacular, should be analyzed in great detail. Just press start a few times to get the game restarted.

Also, as with any sports games, never decide to assign substitutions while the other team has the ball. Just use your good senses and things should go smoothly.

For the best success records, especially online, try to match up with people you know or join one of the many leagues that seem to be sprouting up.

These are some of my essential tips for good etiquette online, what are some of your PES Etiquette tips?