FC 26 Set Piece Controls

Aim

Sets the direction of the free kick, whether you are shooting past the wall or picking out a teammate.

Tip: For a curled shot, aim just past the wall player nearest the keeper with about three to three and a half bars.

Reticle Aim

Moves the contact point on the ball, which sets the spin and how the shot curls or dips.

Tip: Striking the side of the ball turns the shot into an inside or outside foot curler, so check the shot type first.

Ground Pass

Plays the free kick short along the ground to a teammate instead of shooting.

Lob Pass / Cross

Lifts the free kick into the air as a cross into the box or a lofted pass to a teammate.

Select Kick Taker

Picks which player takes the free kick, so your best dead-ball specialist is on the ball.

Tip: Choose a player with the Dead Ball PlayStyle and high free kick accuracy; a left-footer suits kicks from the left.

Add Kick Taker

Brings another player to stand over the ball, giving you a second option to shoot, pass or dummy.

Wall Jump

Makes your defensive wall jump to block a free kick aimed over the top.

Tip: Attackers can aim low under a jumping wall, so do not jump on every kick.

Wall Charge

Moves your wall forward toward the kicker to close the gap and block the shot earlier.

Tip: Charging too early can get your players warned or even booked by the referee.

Move Wall

Shifts the whole wall sideways to cover the side of the goal you think the kick is aimed at.

Move Goalkeeper

Nudges your goalkeeper left or right before the kick to cover the side of the goal the wall leaves open.

Call 2nd Kick Taker

Brings a second player to the ball so the defense cannot tell who will take the kick or how.

Tip: With two takers you can shoot with either, lay the ball off, chip it up or run one over the ball as a decoy.

2nd Kick Taker Shot

Lets the second taker strike the free kick instead of the first, using their foot and angle for the shot.

2nd Kick Taker Layoff Pass

Lays the ball off along the ground to the second taker, who shoots from a fresh angle.

2nd Kick Taker Lob

Chips the ball up for the second taker to hit on the volley instead of striking a dead ball.

2nd Kick Taker Run Over Ball

Has the second taker fake a shot and run over the ball, so another taker can strike once the decoy is done.

Call 3rd Kick Taker

Adds a third player at the ball, giving you one more shooter or decoy for the free kick.

3rd Kick Taker Shot

Has the third taker shoot instead of the others, adding a third foot and angle to choose from.

3rd Kick Taker Run Over Ball

Has the third taker fake a shot and run over the ball, one more decoy before a teammate strikes.

Co-op Change Set Piece User

Passes control of the set piece to another co-op player on your side before the kick is taken.

Aim Kick

Sets where the corner is aimed, such as the near post, far post or penalty spot.

Reticle Aim

Moves the target marker for the delivery, where a lower spot gives a flatter cross and a higher one a lofted ball.

Corners - Lob Cross

Floats the corner into the box for teammates to attack in the air.

Tip: About one and a half to two bars suits the near post, while three to three and a half reaches the far post.

Corners - Pass

Plays the corner short along the ground to a nearby teammate instead of crossing it in.

Tip: Call a teammate over first so the pass has a close target, then cross or lay it back once they receive.

Display Corner Tactics

Opens the menu of called runs, so you can send a teammate to a chosen area before the corner is taken.

Tip: FC 26 also lets you set corner roles such as Near Post, Back Post and Top of Box in your set piece assignments.

Run Near Post

Sends a teammate to attack the near post for a quick header or flick-on in front of the defenders.

Tip: Aim just in front of the near post with about one and a half to two bars for a low, fast ball.

Run Far Post

Sends a teammate to attack the back post, a target for a longer cross over the defenders.

Tip: Put your best header on the back post and give the cross about three to three and a half bars of power.

Edge of Box Run

Pulls a teammate to the top of the penalty area, ready for a ball played back out for a shot.

Tip: Pick them out with a low, two-bar delivery aimed away from the crowded goalmouth.

Crowd the Goalkeeper

Sends a teammate to stand near the goalkeeper, crowding their space as they try to deal with the cross.

Move Along Line

Throw-in

Walks the thrower up or down the touchline before the throw to find a better angle.

Short Throw-in

Throws the ball low and short to a nearby teammate, the safe way to keep possession.

Tip: FC 26 lets you set a left and a right throw-in taker in your team's set piece assignments.

Short Throw-in (Manual)

Throws into space ahead of a teammate instead of to their feet, so they can run onto it down the wing.

Long Throw-in

Throws the ball high and further up the pitch, reaching teammates beyond the nearest markers.

Tip: Hold longer for more distance; a player with the Long Throw PlayStyle reaches much further up the pitch.

Fake Throw

Fakes the throw so a tight marker commits, then lets you throw to a teammate left in space.

Aim

Picks where the penalty goes, from either corner to straight down the middle.

Tip: The corners are hardest to save, and not aiming at all sends the shot down the middle.

Shoot

Strikes the penalty, timed against a circle around the ball that shrinks and grows with the taker's composure.

Tip: Shoot when the circle is small but not red, and keep power near 90 percent so the ball stays on target.

Finesse Shot

Curls the penalty toward the corner with a placed strike instead of relying on raw power.

Chip Shot

Chips the penalty softly, usually down the middle, to beat a goalkeeper who dives early.

Select Kick Taker

Chooses which player steps up to take the penalty.

Tip: Pick someone with high penalties, composure and shot power for an easier circle to time and a faster shot.

Goalkeeper Move Side to Side

Shuffles your goalkeeper along the line before the kick, a mind game to make the taker second-guess.

Tip: A small step toward your chosen side just before diving improves reach, especially for top corners.

Goalkeeper Dive

Dives the goalkeeper toward the zone you pick, guessing where the penalty is going.

Tip: Flick as the taker's foot meets the ball; too early and the keeper commits, too late and the ball is past.

Goalkeeper Gestures

Plays a gesture or taunt on the line to distract the taker before the penalty.