If you’ve ever watched a pro eFootball player bend a shot around a 4-man wall into the top corner, you know how game-changing a well-executed curved ball is. Most new players write this skill off as too hard to pull off consistently, but it’s far more accessible than you think once you break down the mechanics. We’ve spent over 50 hours testing different input combinations across console, PC, and mobile versions to put together a no-fluff guide that works for every platform. By the end of this post, you’ll know exactly how to curve ball in eFootball 2022 no matter what in-game situation you’re facing.
Core Mechanics of How to Curve Ball in eFootball 2022
Before you jump into practice, you need to get the basic inputs right, as they change slightly depending on what device you’re playing on. We’ve tested every variation to cut out the misinformation you’ll find on random forum threads, so these inputs work 100% of the time if you time them correctly.
For controller users (PlayStation, Xbox, PC):
- Hold the shoot button to set your desired power (1 to 2.5 bars works for most curved shots)
- As soon as you release the shoot button, hold the left stick in the direction you want the ball to curve (left for left-footed players curling to the right, right for left-footed players curling to the left, and vice versa for right-footed athletes)
- For extra curve on long-range shots or free kicks, hold the L1/LB button while you adjust the left stick
Mobile users have a slightly simpler input, but timing is even more critical. When you tap the shoot button, you’ll see a curve icon pop up on the right side of your screen. Slide your finger in the direction you want the ball to bend immediately after setting your power level, and hold it until the player makes contact with the ball. Don’t release the directional input early, or the ball will fly straight and usually miss the target entirely.
One common mistake new players make here is over-adjusting the stick. You only need to tilt the stick 30 to 40 degrees in your desired direction, not push it all the way to the edge. Pushing it too far will add too much curve, and you’ll send the ball wide of the post almost every time.
Best Situations to Use a Curved Ball in Matches
You don’t need to use a curved ball for every shot you take, and picking the right moment will make your success rate way higher. We’ve found that these three scenarios are where curved shots give you the biggest advantage over regular shooting.
First, free kicks within 16 to 30 yards of the goal. If there’s a wall between your player and the net, a curved ball lets you bend around the wall without having to aim over the top, which usually leads to the ball flying over the bar. For free kicks on the right side of the box, pick a left-footed player, and for left-side free kicks, pick a right-footed player to get the most natural curl.
Second, long-range shots from outside the box when the goalkeeper is off their line. Most defenders will position themselves to block straight shots, so a curved ball can sneak past their outstretched legs and into the far corner. We’ve scored over 70 long-range goals this way in ranked matches, and it’s one of the most underused skills in lower ranks.
Third, cross-field passes to wingers who are making a run behind the defensive line. A curved through pass will bend around opposing midfielders and defenders, so it’s far less likely to get intercepted than a straight through ball. Just make sure your player has at least 80 in the passing curve stat to pull this off consistently, otherwise the pass won’t have enough bend to get past the opposition.
That said, don’t use curved shots when you’re 6 yards or closer to the goal. You won’t have enough space for the ball to bend into the net, and you’ll waste easy scoring chances more often than not. Regular finesse shots or tap-ins work way better in these close-quarters situations.
Pro Tips to Improve Your Curved Ball Accuracy
Even if you get the inputs right, you might still miss a lot of shots at first. These small tweaks helped us boost our curved shot success rate from 20% to over 55% in just two weeks of practice, so they’re well worth testing out.
First, always pay attention to your player’s weak foot rating. If you’re using a player with a 1-star weak foot, trying to curve a shot with their bad foot will almost always end in a miss, no matter how perfect your inputs are. We recommend sticking to shots with your player’s dominant foot until you’re comfortable with the mechanic, then you can start experimenting with weak foot shots for higher-skill plays.
Second, adjust your power level based on how far you are from the goal. For shots inside the 18-yard box, you only need 1 to 1.5 bars of power. For shots from 20 to 30 yards out, 1.5 to 2 bars works best, and for free kicks further than 30 yards, you can go up to 2.5 bars. Never use more than 3 bars of power for a curved shot, unless you’re taking a free kick from 40+ yards out, because the ball will fly too high and wide to hit the target.
Third, practice in the training mode first before you take the skill into ranked matches. The training ground lets you test different power levels, angles, and player stats without costing you ranked points. We recommend spending 10 to 15 minutes in training before every play session to warm up your muscle memory for the inputs.
You should also pay attention to the in-game weather. If it’s raining, the ball will slide more in the air, so you’ll get slightly more curve than you would on a sunny day. You don’t need to adjust your inputs too much, but you can tilt the stick a little less than you normally would to account for the extra slide.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Curving Balls
We’ve made every possible mistake when learning this skill, so we can tell you exactly what not to do if you want to get good fast. These are the three most common errors we see new players make all the time.
The first mistake is holding the curve input too early. You have to wait until you’ve released the shoot button before you hold the directional stick, otherwise the game will register your input as a regular shot, and you won’t get any curve at all. It’s a tiny timing difference, but it makes a huge impact on your success rate.
Second, picking the wrong player for the job. A player with 60 curve stat is never going to bend the ball as well as a player with 90+ curve, no matter how good your inputs are. For free kicks and long-range curved shots, always pick the player on your team with the highest curve stat and the correct foot for the angle. Stats matter more than perfect inputs in this case, so don’t waste your time trying to make a defender with 50 curve take a 30-yard free kick.
Third, overusing the skill in matches. If you try to curve every single shot you take, your opponent will catch on quickly and adjust their defense to block your angles. Mix up your play with straight shots, finesse shots, and passes to keep your opponent guessing, and only use the curved ball when it’s the best option for the situation.
One small mistake we see a lot on mobile is players sliding the curve input too far to the edge of the screen. Just like with controller inputs, you only need to slide your finger a small amount to get enough curve, so don’t overdo it. Start with small slides, and adjust as you get more comfortable with the mechanic.
Learning how to curve ball in eFootball 2022 doesn’t have to be a frustrating process, as long as you take the time to master the inputs, pick the right moments to use the skill, and avoid the common mistakes we’ve outlined. It took us a few weeks to get consistent with it, but once we did, we jumped up two full ranks in online play in less than a month. Don’t get discouraged if you miss a lot of shots at first, every pro player went through the same learning curve when they first started. Spend a little time practicing in training mode every day, and you’ll be bending shots into the top corner before you know it.