Penalties in FC 26 can make or break your match - whether it’s a crucial Foot Champions shootout or a Career Mode final. If you’ve been building your dream team and looking to buy FUT 26 Coins to strengthen your squad, mastering penalties is just as important for securing wins. This in-depth guide breaks down every part of the process: timing, power, aiming, and even reading your opponent. Follow these steps to consistently bury your penalties and pull off clutch saves under pressure.

1. Understanding the Composure Ring

When you line up a penalty, you’ll see a colored composure ring around the ball. This is the first thing you must master.

· How it works: The ring expands and contracts based on the player’s composure stat. The smaller the circle when you press shoot, the more accurate the penalty.

· Timing tip: Try to press shoot when the circle is small but not red. If you hit it red, you risk sending the ball off target completely.

· Delay adjustment: If you’re playing online and feel input delay, press the shoot button slightly earlier to compensate.

Elite players like Mbappé have slower, easier-to-time rings. Low-composure players’ rings shrink faster, making timing trickier. So always choose your penalty taker wisely - composure matters just as much as shooting.

2. Power and Placement: Finding the Perfect Balance

To take a penalty, press the shoot button and hold it to apply power. The longer you hold, the harder the shot. But there’s a balance:

· Ideal power: Around 90%. This is the sweet spot that keeps your shot accurate while giving it enough speed to beat the keeper.

· Avoid max power: Even a perfectly timed (green) penalty can fly over the bar if you hold the button too long.

· Shot power stat: Players with higher shot power can aim closer to the corners without missing. For instance, Mbappé or Haaland can strike top bins safely, while weaker shooters may need to aim closer to center.

If you’re wondering why your shots don’t reach the side netting despite full power, it’s likely because your player’s shot power rating isn’t high enough. Aim for players with 90+ shot power to truly threaten the corners.

3. Aiming: How to Pick Your Spot

Aiming in FC 26 uses an invisible marker controlled by your left analog stick.

· Push top-left or bottom-right to target corners.

· Push up for top of the net and down for low shots.

There are now six key zones to target - top/bottom left, top/bottom right, and center (high or low).
This variety keeps goalkeepers guessing. In shootouts, rotate your choices - never aim in the same direction twice in a row.

Sticky aim tip: Once you aim in a direction, it stays locked. If you change your mind mid-run-up, make sure you push the stick fully to the new direction - partial adjustments won’t fully shift your aim.

4. Mastering Special Penalties

FC 26 gives you several advanced options:

· Panenka: Hold L1 (or LB) while shooting to chip the ball delicately into the middle. Use this when you’re confident the keeper will dive early.

· Finesse Penalty: Hold R1 (or RB) for a curved strike. It’s flashy, but only reliable if you curl toward the player’s dominant side.

· Low Chip Trick: Use a light tap on shoot with L1 to float a low, slow chip that lands safely if the goalkeeper dives early.

Use these techniques sparingly - they’re best for mind games in shootouts, not regular matches.

5. Reading and Saving Penalties as Goalkeeper

Saving penalties is all about timing and reading body language.

· To dive, flick the right analog stick in the direction you want to go (e.g., right for bottom right).

· High-level players can sometimes read shot direction from the attacker’s animation just before contact - subtle shifts in shoulder angle or approach speed can give it away.

It’s tough to react in real time, but practice helps. Focus on familiar opponents’ tendencies and look for patterns - for example, some players always go left under pressure.

6. Practice Makes Perfect

You can practice penalties anytime in Practice Arena:

· Pause and go to Free Kicks mode.

· Move the ball into the box — it becomes a penalty spot.

· Press L1/R1 to switch players and try different styles.

This is the safest way to test timing, power, and placement without wasting in-game opportunities.

7. Final Tips

· Choose penalty takers with high composure and shot power.

· Always aim early and stay consistent with your timing.

· Mix up your shots - corners, low drives, and occasional chips.

· When saving, commit early but stay unpredictable.

Master these techniques, and you’ll never fear a penalty shootout again. Whether you’re aiming for Weekend League glory, building your dream squad with cheap FIFA 26 Coins, or just perfecting your craft, disciplined timing and confident execution will make you unstoppable from the spot.