Most of the time, FIFA is played at a fast and freeform pace. However, a few instances in each match exist where play stops and players line up for coordinated strategies. These are called set pieces. 

Defensive blunders tend to lead to set pieces. They are highly advantageous toward the attacking side, awarding them an easier chance for a shot on goal. You'll find three main set pieces in FIFA 23: free kicks, corners, and penalties. This article will detail every set piece and how to execute them. 

Free Kicks

Free kicks occur after fouls. The ball is placed on a spot near where the foul was committed. While free kicks in the middle of the pitch aren’t very threatening, they become increasingly dangerous the closer they get to the goal. Free kicks just outside the penalty box are a golden opportunity for those who specialize in taking them. 

The free kick system has been completely overhauled in FIFA 23. The Right Stick now controls the player’s foot placement on the ball. This changes the height, curve, and angle the ball will travel. For example, an outside foot shot will add more curve, while kicking the ball near its center will result in a knuckler that goes straight. Practice these options to better understand each foot placement’s effect on the ball. 

You’ll have to bend the shot around a wall of defenders to go for a goal during free kicks. It takes creativity and precision to clear the wall and fool the goalkeeper. Try winding the ball around the wall, so it creeps into the upper 90 of the near post. This is no easy feat, but players with a high finishing rating and exceptional curve on their shot have better chances of scoring from free kicks. 

During free kicks, you can call over a second kick taker with [L2] and a third with [R1]. Use them to misdirect the wall or goalkeeper and get them to react early. Use L2 and R1 again during the shot to determine which player takes the kick. 

Some free kicks start on the wings or at other angles from which it is very hard to score. Instead, treat these like a corner kick and launch a cross into the box. Remember that during any free kick, you can dump a safe ground pass off to a nearby teammate with [X].

Corners

Corners are the most common set pieces in FIFA. They occur after the ball goes out of bounds off a defender and over the goal line. The attacking team will then line most of its players inside the box, including a few defenders. 

From there, the kick taker has several options: They can launch a cross into the box with [Square], holding down the button to adjust its power; aim the cross in toward teammates so they can fire at the goal with headers and volleys; and press L1 to cycle different teammates to target.

Similar to free kicks, corners use the same foot placement mechanic to change the ball’s trajectory. This is also done with the right stick and alters the height and curve of the cross. Sometimes it's best to be conservative when taking corners. In these instances, call a teammate over with R1 and hit them with a short, safe ground pass (X). 

Press down on the D-Pad to display the Corner Tactics menu. Use the D-Pad again to select one of four options:

• Up - Run Far Post
• Left - Edge of the Box Run
• Right - Crowd the Goalkeeper
• Down - Run Near Post

Penalties

Penalty kicks (PKs) occur after fouls inside the box. Like free kicks, there have been significant changes to the PKs in FIFA 23. 

After the player is lined up, a circle now flashes around the ball while they prepare their shot. The circle will increase and decrease around the ball in consistent intervals. The strike’s accuracy depends on the size of the circle when the shot button is pressed. Wait until the circle is at its absolute smallest to take the kick. Doing so with a wide circle around the ball will result in a wildly inaccurate shot. 

Before timing your kick, use the left stick to alter the shot’s direction. Hold down the shoot button [Circle] to change the shot’s power. Like under normal shooting controls, hold R1 + [Circle] for a finesse shot and L1 + [Circle] for a chip shot. There is no longer a shot arrow, so you’ll need to practice placing PKs accurately without the help of a visual cue. 

Sign up for FIFA 23 tournaments at compete.playstation.com.