With the grueling defensive play we're seeing already in the FIFA 12 demo, it's safe to say you'll be getting a lot of good chances to benefit from a free kick. It's worth your while to learn the various different methods of taking them so that you can benefit when you have the opportunity. The following free kick methods will be outlined in this tutorial: the Dipping Free Kick, the Driven Curled Free Kick, and the Driven Free Kick.
Dipping Free Kick (18-25 yards out)
The Dipping Free Kick is the most effective free kick method in FIFA 12, and this is simply because you will use it much more than the others. It should be taken from relatively close range and closer to the center of the box than not, don't use this if you're nearing 30 yards out.
First, you need to select a kick taker that has high Curve and Free Kick Accuracy stats, you can see this by holding down the left trigger during the free kick screen. Power is not such a big deal when it comes to the dipping free kick, and in some cases, less power is better as it has more time to dip.
Next, aim accordingly:
| Right of Wall | Left of Wall | |
|---|---|---|
| Left Footer | Aim between the 2nd and 3rd players from the right of the wall. | Aim just between the heads of the 1st and 2nd players from the left of the wall. |
| Right Footer | Aim just between the heads of the 1st and 2nd players from the right of the wall. | Aim between the 2nd and 3rd players from the left of the wall. |
Finally, charge the power bar up to about just before the yellow, or around the beginning of the yellow if it's closer to 25 yards. You're aiming for it to drop into the bottom corner, so it doesn't need a whole lot. See the picture below for how much you should usually charge up to.
Last, as you shoot the ball, hold up on the left analog stick to apply dip. Try to make it go straight up so you get some nice downward curl. If everything else is done correctly, this should be the easiest part and your shot will drop nicely out of reach of the keeper.
Driven Curled Free Kick (27-35 yards out)
When the kick is just a bit too far to try the dipping free kick, you can try to curl a hard shot around the wall with the Driven Curled Free Kick. You can only do this if the preferred foot of the player corresponds to the side of the goal that the wall is blocking. For example, Van Persie, a left footer, can do this well if the wall is blocking the left side of the goal, and the keeper is leaving it open. This way, he can just curl it around the wall, but it wouldn't work so well if he tried to curl it left around a wall blocking the right side of the goal.
So, aiming is pretty self explanatory. We're aiming to curl the ball around the wall, so aim just to the side of it.
As far as power goes, this depends greatly upon how far you are out. If you're nearing the 27 yard range, see the picture below for appropriate power. However, once you get past 30 yards or so, it becomes a lot harder to gauge how much power you'll need, so just try it out yourself and get the hang of it.
Last, you need to apply curve in whatever direction you're curving so that it makes it around the wall. If you think you put on a bit too much power, it can help to point the analog stick to the side AND down. It's tougher than the dipping free kick, but equally as effective and awesome to watch the ball fly in.
Driven Free Kick (35+ yards out)
Undoubtedly the toughest free kick to pull off, but definitely the most spectacular when done correctly. The Driven Free kick is for when you're way out and you still think you've got a shot at scoring. Everything is critical when you do this, aiming, power and how quickly you can apply the dip.
When selecting a kick taker, you probably shouldn't even try this one if you don't have a kick taker with a power level in the high 80s. Personally, I've ever only scored this with players who have above 90 power, which is quite rare.
As far as aiming goes, see the chart above for the dipping free kick, this is no different.
For power, it is nearly impossible to pinpoint because of all the different areas you can try this from. On average, I'd say you should be powering up to just before the orange zone. See the picture below for a graphical description.
Like the dipping free kick, you need to apply dip (push up on the analog stick) after powering up so that you get it to dip down into the goal. Don't forget this, as it's nearly impossible to score one of these with no dip.