How to take free kicks in EA SPORTS FC™

1 min read

Overview

Use aim, spin, and power to control free kicks in EA SPORTS FC™. Learn how to aim a free kick, change how you strike the ball, choose the right amount of power, and practice different free kick techniques.

Table of Contents

What are the controls for free kicks?

The controls depend on your platform and control configuration. To find your controls from the Main Menu:
  1. 1
    Select Play.
  2. 2
    Select Learn to Play.
  3. 3
    Open Practice Arena.
  4. 4
    Pause the game.
  5. 5
    Select Button Help to view your controls, or Skill Moves Help to view Skill Move controls.
To find your controls from a match:
  1. 1
    Pause EA SPORTS FC™.
  2. 2
    Go to Settings.
  3. 3
    Select Basic Controls.
EA SPORTS FC pause menus highlighting Settings and Basic Controls.

How to take a free kick

  1. 1
    Choose your free kick taker.
    • Consider attributes like Free Kick Accuracy, Curve, and Shot Power when choosing a player.
  2. 2
    Aim your free kick.
    • Move your aim toward the part of the goal you want to target.
  3. 3
    Choose how you want to strike the ball.
    • Adjusting the contact point changes the spin and trajectory of your free kick.
  4. 4
    Set the power.
    • Release when you’ve added the amount of power you want.
  5. 5
    Watch the trajectory and adjust your next attempt.
    • Try changing your aim, contact point, or power if the ball goes wide, hits the wall, or travels over the goal.

How spin changes a free kick

Use the on-screen trajectory line as a guide when setting up your free kick. Experiment with different contact points to learn how they affect the ball's curve and height.The best combination depends on your distance and angle from the goal, as well as the player taking the free kick.

How to choose a free kick taker

When choosing between players, look at attributes that can affect free kicks, like:
  • Free Kick Accuracy
  • Curve
  • Shot Power
A player with the Dead Ball PlayStyle can also perform set pieces with increased speed, curve, and accuracy. It also gives you a longer trajectory preview when taking a set piece.

How to take a quick free kick

When it’s available, you can take a quick free kick instead of waiting for the full setup.Look for an open teammate before playing the ball. A quick free kick can help you restart play before the opposing team gets back into position.Some passing controls available during open play can also be used from quick free kicks, depending on your game and control settings.

How to practice free kicks

The Training Center

Use the Training Center to practice free kicks and get used to their aim, spin, and power:
  1. 1
    Open the Main Menu.
  2. 2
    Select Learn to Play.
  3. 3
    Open the Training Center.
  4. 4
    Select one of the training options that work on free kicks:
    • Passing
    • Attacking.
EA SPORTS FC training menu showing Attacking lessons, with Long Free Kicks selected.

The Practice Arena

You can also use Practice Arena to practice your aim, spin, and power without waiting for a free kick during a match: 
  1. 1
    From the main menu, go to Learn to Play.
  2. 2
    Select Practice Arena.
  3. 3
    Choose your settings and start practicing.
Try taking several free kicks from the same position. Change one part of your technique at a time:
  • adjust your aim
  • change where you strike the ball
  • increase or decrease the power
  • try a different kick taker.
This can help you see which adjustment changes the ball's trajectory and find a technique that works for different distances and angles.
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