To take a free kick in FC 27, aim with the left stick, set the spin with the right stick and hold Circle on PlayStation (B on Xbox) for power. Most missed free kicks are a power problem, so start with less than you think.
| Action | PlayStation | Xbox / PC controller |
|---|---|---|
| Aim the reticle | Left stick | Left stick |
| Fine aim and spin (reticle aim) | Right stick | Right stick |
| Shoot (hold for power) | Hold โ | Hold B |
| Ground pass | ร | A |
| Lob pass or cross | โก | X |
| Change the kick taker | R2 | RT |
| Call a second taker | L2 | LT |
| Second taker: layoff pass | L2 + ร | LT + A |
| Second taker: shot | L2 + โ | LT + B |
| Defending: wall jump | โณ | Y |
| Defending: wall charge | ร | A |
| Defending: move the wall | L2 or R2 | LT or RT |
| Defending: move the keeper | โก or โ | X or B |
These are the inputs on the default Classic controller layout. On PC with a controller, use the Xbox column. On keyboard and mouse the keys can be remapped, so check Settings, Controls before you rely on them.
Video: “FC 27 – How to Score Every Freekick?” by TFVGaming on YouTube.
How to take a free kick in FC 27
- Check the taker. If the player standing over the ball is not your best set piece specialist, press R2 (RT) to change the taker before you do anything else.
- Move the reticle with the left stick to the spot you want the ball to end up. The top corner the keeper is furthest from is the usual target.
- Use the right stick to set the spin. Push it to the side of the ball for curl, and keep it low for a ball that lifts and dips. For a flat, driven strike keep the marker near the centre.
- Hold Circle (B) for power and let go early. The bar fills faster than in open play, and anything past the halfway point from inside 25 yards tends to clear the bar.
- Keep both sticks still once the run up starts. A late nudge on the right stick changes the spin at the worst moment.
Which free kick to use
- Curled over the wall (inside 20 yards): spin to the side and slightly under the ball, far top corner, around a third of the bar. The ball has to dip before the crossbar, so less power is better.
- Curled top corner (20 to 28 yards): your main scoring option. Same spin, around half the bar.
- Driven past the wall: only when there is a gap past the end of the wall. Marker near the centre, around half the bar.
- Knuckleball from distance (28 yards and more): marker dead centre or slightly below, three quarters of the bar or more. It moves in the air, so aim inside the post. Low percentage, but keepers hate it.
- Short free kick: tap ร (A) to a teammate, or call a second taker with L2 (LT) and lay it off with L2 + ร (LT + A). Best from wide angles.
Who should take your free kicks
Three attributes do most of the work: Free Kick Accuracy (how close the ball lands to your aim point), Curve (how much it bends and dips) and Shot Power. The Dead Ball PlayStyle adds speed, curve and accuracy on set pieces and a longer trajectory preview, and Dead Ball+ pushes that further.
- Look at Free Kick Accuracy first, then Curve, then Shot Power.
- A midfielder with Dead Ball and 85 Free Kick Accuracy beats a striker with a higher overall and no set piece stats.
- Left footers on the right side of the box, right footers on the left. The natural curl bends the ball away from the keeper.
How to defend free kicks in FC 27
- Jump the wall with Triangle (Y) just as the taker strikes the ball. Too early and the ball goes under or over the wall.
- Charge the wall with ร (A) against short free kicks and layoffs. Do not charge a direct shot, because it opens the gap the taker wants.
- Move the wall with L2 or R2 (LT or RT) to cover the near post. The keeper then only has to worry about the far side.
- Move the keeper with โก or โ (X or B) when you expect a curler to the far post.
Common mistakes
- Too much power. If your free kicks fly over, the fix is the power bar, not the aim.
- Same power at every distance. A third of the bar from 18 yards, half from 25, three quarters only for a knuckleball from 30.
- Letting the game pick the taker. Press R2 (RT) and choose your specialist.
- Aiming at your favourite corner. Look at where the keeper stands first, and aim for the side the wall is not covering.
| Guide | What you get |
|---|---|
| How to do a low driven shot in FC 27 | The double tap finish that keeps the ball on the grass |
| How to do a finesse shot in FC 27 | Curl it into the far corner with the inside of the foot |
| How to do a power shot in FC 27 | Smash it from distance with L1 + R1 |
| How to do a trivela in FC 27 | Outside of the foot, swerving away from the keeper |
| Chip shots, volleys and bicycle kicks in FC 27 | Lift it over the keeper or finish in the air |
| How to score (and save) penalties in FC 27 | Spot kicks, finesse and chip penalties, and keeper dives |
| FC 27 tactics | Formations and custom tactics that create chances around the box |
Still to come this week: long shots on Saturday, then the full FC 27 Shooting Guide on Sunday.
FC 27 free kicks: FAQ
How do you score free kicks in FC 27?
Aim the reticle at the far top corner with the left stick, push the right stick to the side of the ball for curl, and hold Circle (B) for around a third to half of the power bar depending on distance. Less power than feels natural is usually right.
Who is the best free kick taker in FC 27?
Look for the highest Free Kick Accuracy, then Curve, and prefer players with the Dead Ball PlayStyle. Messi has the highest base Free Kick Accuracy in FC 27 at 93, with Grimaldo and Ward-Prowse close behind.
How do you practise free kicks in FC 27?
Open Learn to Play from the main menu, go to Skill Games and pick Free Kick Practice under Set Pieces. It is new in FC 27 and lets you repeat free kicks from different distances, angles and wall setups.
Sources: FC 27 controls (FIFPlay) checked against a second FC 27 controls list, FC 27 PlayStyles and FC 27 Skill Games.
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