So, you've got that crucial penalty in FIFA 19. The crowd is roaring, the pressure is on, and it all comes down to this one kick. Don't sweat it, guys! This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to become a penalty-taking master in FIFA 19 and bury that ball in the back of the net every time. Forget those days of nervously blasting the ball over the crossbar or watching the keeper make a miraculous save. We're about to turn you into a penalty-scoring machine!

Understanding the Basics of Penalty Kicks in FIFA 19

Before we dive into the advanced techniques, let's cover the fundamental aspects of taking penalties in FIFA 19. Knowing these basics is essential for building a solid foundation and improving your overall penalty-taking skills. First, you need to select your taker. Pay attention to their penalty stats! A player with high penalty accuracy and composure will obviously perform better under pressure than someone with lower stats. Don't just blindly pick your favorite player; choose someone who's statistically suited for the job. Once you've chosen your penalty taker, it's time to aim. Use the left stick to aim your shot. A small reticle will appear on the goal, indicating where your shot is targeted. Be precise! Even slight adjustments can make a big difference. Aiming too far to the side can result in your shot sailing wide, while aiming too high will send it over the bar. Practice makes perfect, so spend some time in the practice arena getting comfortable with the aiming system. Remember, the keeper's position is a crucial factor. Watch where he's standing and try to aim for the opposite side. However, don't be too predictable! Keep your opponent guessing by varying your shot placement. After aiming, it's time to determine your power. The power bar at the bottom of the screen indicates the strength of your shot. A full power bar will result in a powerful shot, but it will also be less accurate. Conversely, a weak shot will be more accurate but easier for the keeper to save. Finding the right balance is key. As a general rule, aim for around 75-80% power for most penalties. This provides a good combination of power and accuracy. However, you may need to adjust your power depending on the player's stats and the distance to the goal. Finally, consider using finesse shots by holding the R1/RB button. Finesse shots add curl to the ball, making them harder for the keeper to read. However, they also require more precision and timing. Use them sparingly and only when you feel confident in your ability to execute them properly.

Advanced Penalty Techniques for FIFA 19

Okay, so you've mastered the basics. Now it's time to level up your penalty game with some advanced techniques. These techniques will give you the edge you need to outsmart the goalkeeper and consistently score from the spot. One of the most effective advanced techniques is the 'fake shot'. Just before you kick the ball, press the 'shoot' button again to cancel your shot. This will often cause the goalkeeper to dive early, leaving the net wide open for you to slot the ball in. Timing is crucial with the fake shot. You need to cancel your shot at the last possible moment, just as your player is about to make contact with the ball. Practice this in the training arena until you get the timing down perfectly. Another useful technique is the 'chip shot'. To perform a chip shot, hold the L1/LB button while shooting. This will cause your player to lift the ball gently over the goalkeeper's head. Chip shots are particularly effective against keepers who tend to dive early or who are positioned aggressively on their line. However, they require precise timing and power control. If you use too much power, the ball will sail over the bar. If you use too little power, the keeper will easily catch it. Experiment with different power levels in the training arena to find the sweet spot. Don't underestimate the power of 'mind games'. Vary your approach to the penalty spot. Sometimes take a long run-up, other times take a short one. Change your aiming point at the last second. Hesitate before striking the ball. These tactics can throw off the goalkeeper and make it harder for them to anticipate your shot. Watch the goalkeeper's movements carefully. Pay attention to their body language and try to anticipate which way they're going to dive. If they're leaning to one side, aim for the opposite side. If they're standing perfectly still, try a powerful shot down the middle. Finally, practice, practice, practice! The more you practice taking penalties, the more comfortable you'll become with the timing, aiming, and power control. Spend some time in the training arena every day, experimenting with different techniques and refining your skills. With enough practice, you'll become a penalty-taking expert in no time.

Penalty Styles and Finding What Works for You

Everyone has their own unique style when it comes to taking penalties. It's all about finding what works best for you and developing a routine that you're comfortable with. Some players prefer to take powerful shots, aiming for the top corner with maximum power. This style can be highly effective, but it also requires a high level of accuracy. If you're going to take powerful shots, make sure you have a player with high penalty stats and that you've practiced your aiming extensively. Others prefer to take more finesse-oriented shots, focusing on placement and technique rather than brute force. This style can be particularly effective against keepers who are prone to diving early or who have poor reflexes. If you're going to take finesse shots, pay close attention to the goalkeeper's position and try to aim for the opposite side. Remember, there's no right or wrong way to take a penalty. What matters most is that you're confident in your ability and that you've practiced your technique. Experiment with different styles and see what feels most natural to you. Consider your player's strengths and weaknesses when choosing your penalty style. If you have a player with high power and low accuracy, you might be better off focusing on powerful shots down the middle. If you have a player with high accuracy and low power, you might be better off focusing on finesse shots to the corners. Adapt your style to your player's abilities and you'll be more likely to succeed. Don't be afraid to change your style mid-match if your initial approach isn't working. If the goalkeeper is consistently saving your powerful shots, try switching to a finesse shot. If the goalkeeper is anticipating your finesse shots, try blasting one down the middle. Being adaptable and unpredictable is key to keeping the goalkeeper guessing. Finally, trust your instincts. When you step up to take a penalty, clear your mind and focus on the task at hand. Don't overthink it or let the pressure get to you. Trust your training, trust your instincts, and just go out there and bury it!

Keeper's Perspective: How to Save Penalties in FIFA 19

Alright, so we've talked about how to score penalties, but what about saving them? Being a good penalty-saver is just as important as being a good penalty-taker, especially in those crucial knockout matches. Luckily, FIFA 19 offers several tools and techniques that can help you become a penalty-saving master. The first thing you need to do is watch the taker's body language. Pay attention to their eyes, their stance, and their run-up. Are they looking to one side of the goal? Are they taking a short, choppy run-up or a long, deliberate one? These subtle cues can give you valuable information about where they're planning to shoot. However, don't rely too heavily on these cues, as experienced players may try to deceive you. The next thing you need to do is choose your diving direction. You can dive left, right, or stay in the middle. The key is to make your decision at the last possible moment, just as the taker is about to strike the ball. This will give you the best chance of reacting to their shot. If you dive too early, the taker can easily adjust their shot to the opposite side. Use the right stick to dive in the desired direction. Flick the stick left to dive left, flick it right to dive right, or leave it in the center to stay in the middle. You can also press the triangle/Y button to jump, which can be useful for reaching shots that are slightly higher. Don't be afraid to guess. Sometimes, you just have to take a chance and dive in a direction based on your gut feeling. If you're right, you'll make a spectacular save. If you're wrong, well, at least you tried! Many players find it helpful to analyze their opponent's penalty history. If you're playing against a friend or someone you know well, try to remember where they've shot penalties in the past. Do they always go to the same side? Do they prefer powerful shots or finesse shots? This information can give you a significant advantage. As with taking penalties, mind games can also play a role in saving them. Try moving your goalkeeper around on the line to distract the taker. Step forward aggressively to intimidate them. Use every trick in the book to try and throw them off their game. Finally, remember that saving penalties is as much about luck as it is about skill. Even the best goalkeepers can't save every penalty. Don't get discouraged if you concede a few goals. Just keep practicing, keep learning, and keep believing in yourself.

Mastering the Composure Meter

A crucial element in FIFA 19 penalties is the Composure Meter. This visual aid represents a player's mental state under pressure and directly impacts the accuracy of their shot. The Composure Meter appears as a colored ring around the ball before you take your penalty. The goal is to keep the meter as green as possible. A green meter indicates high composure, resulting in a more accurate shot. A red meter indicates low composure, leading to a less accurate shot. Several factors can affect the Composure Meter. Taking too long to shoot, excessive camera movement, and crowd noise can all increase the pressure and turn the meter red. Conversely, taking a deep breath, focusing on your target, and blocking out distractions can help you maintain your composure and keep the meter green. Practice controlling your Composure Meter in the training arena. Experiment with different techniques to see what works best for you. Some players find it helpful to take a deep breath and visualize success before shooting. Others prefer to block out all distractions and focus solely on the target. Find what works for you and develop a routine that you can consistently replicate under pressure. Be aware of external factors that can impact your composure. Avoid excessive camera movement, especially during the run-up. Minimize distractions by focusing on your target and blocking out the crowd noise. Take your time, but don't take too long. The longer you wait, the more pressure you'll feel and the more likely the meter is to turn red. Find a balance between taking your time and avoiding unnecessary delays. The Composure stat of the player taking the penalty heavily influences how quickly the meter changes and how much impact external factors have. Players with high Composure stats will maintain a green meter for longer and will be less affected by pressure. Players with low Composure stats will struggle to keep the meter green and will be more susceptible to distractions. When selecting your penalty taker, always prioritize players with high Composure stats. This will significantly increase your chances of scoring from the spot. Ultimately, mastering the Composure Meter is essential for becoming a penalty-taking expert in FIFA 19. By understanding how the meter works, practicing your control, and prioritizing players with high Composure stats, you can significantly improve your accuracy and increase your chances of burying that ball in the back of the net.

Practice Drills to Improve Your Penalty Skills

To truly master penalties in FIFA 19, you need to dedicate time to practice. Fortunately, the game offers several practice drills that can help you hone your skills and improve your consistency. The most basic practice drill is the 'Penalty Kick Practice' mode. This mode allows you to take unlimited penalties against a computer-controlled goalkeeper. You can customize various settings, such as the goalkeeper's difficulty level, the weather conditions, and the time of day. Use this mode to experiment with different techniques, refine your aiming, and perfect your timing. Another useful practice drill is the 'Skill Games' mode. This mode offers a variety of challenges designed to test your skills in different areas of the game, including penalties. The penalty-specific skill games will help you improve your accuracy, power control, and composure under pressure. Pay attention to the feedback provided by the game after each penalty. The game will tell you where you aimed, how much power you used, and how well you controlled your composure. Use this feedback to identify areas where you need to improve and adjust your technique accordingly. Don't just mindlessly take penalties. Focus on specific aspects of your technique during each practice session. For example, one day you might focus on improving your aiming accuracy, while another day you might focus on perfecting your timing. By breaking down your technique into smaller, more manageable components, you can make more rapid progress. Consider recording your practice sessions and reviewing them later. This will allow you to identify flaws in your technique that you might not notice in real-time. You can also compare your technique to that of professional FIFA players and see how you can improve. Set realistic goals for yourself. Don't expect to become a penalty-taking expert overnight. It takes time, patience, and dedication to master the art of penalties. Set small, achievable goals for each practice session and gradually increase the difficulty as you improve. Celebrate your successes and learn from your failures. Every missed penalty is an opportunity to learn something new and improve your technique. Don't get discouraged by setbacks. Just keep practicing, keep learning, and keep believing in yourself. With enough practice and dedication, you'll be burying those penalties in the back of the net with confidence.

Conclusion: Becoming a Penalty-Taking Pro in FIFA 19

So, there you have it! A comprehensive guide to mastering penalties in FIFA 19. By understanding the basics, utilizing advanced techniques, finding your own style, and dedicating time to practice, you can transform yourself into a penalty-taking pro. Remember, the key to success is consistency. Don't get discouraged by occasional misses. Just keep practicing, keep learning, and keep refining your technique. With enough dedication, you'll be burying those penalties in the back of the net with confidence every time. Now go out there and dominate the penalty spot! Good luck, and have fun!