In this free kick tutorial for FIFA 18, you will quickly learn how to shoot perfect free kicks. Whether it’s curlers or “running over the ball” free kicks, you can immediately replicate and practice these tips. We also highlight the best free kick takers in the game and from the Bundesliga.
If not much works during the game, you still have set pieces to turn the match in your favor. Strong free kick takers can win the game single-handedly if you create a good position for them.
However, you first need to master the correct free kick technique in FIFA 18 to make the ball hit the net. We show you some of the best free kick methods and provide the button combinations for PS4 and Xbox One.
Free Kicks Over the Wall – The Classic Curler Free Kick
In this variant of the free kick, which is the most common and popular in the community, you shoot the ball over the wall so that it dips into the goal. It is not too difficult to execute and can be reliably applied with a little practice. A distance of 16-27 meters from the goal is recommended.
- Choose a right-footed shooter from the right side and a left-footed shooter from the left side. The player should have high free kick precision and curl values (ideally over 80), which you can view in the top right of the screen (by pressing “Change Shooter”). Shot power is not too important. The less shot power the player has, the longer you need to charge the shot bar.
- The most challenging part is aiming, meaning the alignment that you set with the left stick. This always depends on the position from which you are shooting. In this example, the right post should be approximately in the middle of the wall:
- Now simply hold the left stick upwards and charge the shot button (circle on PS4 or B on Xbox One) to about one and a half to two bars of shot power.
Once you’re on the alignment, this free kick is no problem. Practice with your free kick taker in the training arena to get a feel for it.
Power Free Kick in FIFA 18
The power free kick is useful for scoring goals from greater distances. 25-40 meters are possible. It is executed similarly to the classic curler free kick.
- Choose a free kick taker with strong shot power, free kick, and curl values. Right side a right footer, left side a left footer.
- Now move your shooter back with the right stick to gain more momentum.
- When aiming, the post should be between the two outer players in the wall (again position-dependent):
Now hold the left stick upwards. Additionally, hold L1 (PS4) / LB (Xbox One) and charge the shot power to about 3 bars.
Shooting Free Kicks Low – Under the Wall
For this free kick, you should be very close to the 16-meter area; otherwise, it is not recommended.
- Choose a taker with high free kick precision and high shot power (both over 80).
- Position your taker according to the position, as in this picture:
As with the power free kick, hold L1 (PS4) / LB (Xbox One) and press the left stick upwards. Now charge the shot power just slightly over one bar – so you only press the button very briefly.
Now you just need some luck that the opponent lets the wall jump. Then the ball rolls under the wall into the goal.
Free Kick Setup in FIFA 18
The setup free kick has numerous variants and can essentially be executed from all positions. However, if you want to shoot directly from the setup, the free kick should be close to the 16 area.
- Take any player as a free kick taker – since he won’t shoot anyway.
- Press L2 (PS4) or LT (Xbox One) to call a 2nd shooter. Keep this button pressed and then press the pass button (fill about two bars).
- Thus, the ball is set up for a third player, who can shoot directly (press shoot button). If you have time, you can also take the ball briefly.
For a high setup, you simply press the lob button instead of the pass button. Then another player can shoot volley.
Outside Foot Free Kick – for the Trophy
The outside foot free kick has been possible since FIFA 17, as you can now position your shooter with the right stick before executing the free kick. With the outside foot, a standard situation looks not only cool but is also needed for a trophy / achievement. The recommended distance from the goal is 16-27 meters.
- Choose a left footer for the right side and a right footer for the left side. Again, pay attention to good curl and free kick attributes.
- Now move left with the right stick (with the left foot) or right (with the right foot) and ensure that the post is between the two outer players in the wall, as in the following picture (but this depends on the position!):
The execution then runs similarly to the curler free kick: With the left stick, aim upwards (and in this example a little to the left) and shoot with about 2 bars of power. Now the player should curl the ball around the wall with the outside foot – and ideally send it straight into the goal.
Pass Combo Free Kick – Feint and Run Over the Ball
This free kick is a variant that can surprise your opponents. If they are not prepared for it, it is only difficult to defend. The distance to the goal should be small, about 16-20 meters.
- When choosing the shooter, just make sure you have a left footer on the right side and a right footer on the left side.
- Press the LT or L2 button to call a second shooter.
- Now you need to feint with this second shooter. This works by holding the LT/L2 button and then quickly pressing B and then A or Circle and then X.
- This player will run over the ball and further into the open space. Pass to this player with your first shooter using A or X and then score with B or Circle.
Note: Pay attention to whether the opponent places a player on the line in all free kick variants. You may want to choose another free kick variant. In FIFA 18, it is also effective to simply pass the ball flat into the 16-meter area to a teammate and then take a shot.
The Best Free Kick Takers in FIFA 18
The highest free kick precision values of all players in FIFA 18 belong to some Icon cards. These are the players with free kick precision over 90:
- Roberto Carlos (97)
- Diego Maradona (96)
- Gheorghe Hagi (94)
- Jay-Jay Okocha (94)
- Andrea Pirlo (93)
- Hakan Calhanoglu (93)
- Rui Costa (92)
- Ruud Gullit (92)
- Lothar Matthäus (91)
- Alessandro Del Piero (91)
- Dimitri Payet (91)
- Miralem Pjanic (91)
- Andriy Shevchenko (90)
- Ronaldinho (90)
- Ronaldo (90)
- Parejo (90)
- Lionel Messi (90)
The Best Free Kick Takers in the Bundesliga
These are the top free kick takers in the Bundesliga – according to free kick precision:
- Marvin Plattenhardt (89)
- James Rodriguez (86)
- David Alaba (85)
- Robert Lewandowski (84)
- Marco Reus (84)
However, remember that alongside free kick precision, shot power and curl are also important values for free kicks.
Now it’s time to practice! In the arena or with skill games, you can train free kicks. Perfect and customize your free kick!
