FM27 Hub

Near-post inswinger

Inswinging delivery to the near post. Your best aerial centre-back attacks the six-yard line; the striker drifts to the penalty spot for flick-ons; a winger blocks the keeper; a DM guards the edge; both full-backs stay back. Against zonal marking, put the blocker in the keeper's path. Against man marking, start the target deep so he arrives late.

Attributes: Taker: Corners and the right foot (an inswinger from the left needs a right-footer). Targets: Heading, Bravery, Anticipation.

Short corner

Played short to a full-back or winger with good close control, with two runners attacking the box. Best late in games or against teams that pack the six-yard box. Don't overuse it.

Attributes: Taker: First Touch, Technique.

Priority list for short corners and deep free kicks

The Hare's FM27 set-piece pack sets the player priority to Creative → Box Threat → Aerial → Defensive Cover and switches attacking throw-ins to Long Throw. In his one-season test the corner routine scored 10 and conceded 0, and his indirect free kicks were the league's top-scoring set-up (author-reported, Launch Preview).

Attributes: Add one free-kick and one corner training focus a week once tactical familiarity is green.

Zonal plus one man-marker

Mostly zonal to protect the six-yard box, with one man-marker on their best header. One player on each post unless you are chasing a goal. Leave one fast player on halfway (two when losing). The keeper only claims crosses if his Command of Area is good. Put your most disciplined midfielder on the edge of the box.

Attributes: Markers: Marking, Heading. GK: Command of Area. Outlet: Pace.

Hybrid set-up (FM26 numbers) [FM26]

Near-post marker (a full-back or winger), your two CBs marking their two tallest, three man-markers, two zonal players in the six-yard box, one on the edge, one fast player staying forward.

Attributes: Stay-forward player: Pace 17+.

Far-post outswinger from wide

Outswinging delivery. The tallest CB attacks the far post from deep, the striker starts near the post and runs across as a decoy, and a midfielder on the edge stops clearances turning into counters. Good against deep defences that guard the near post.

Attributes: Taker: Free Kick Taking, Crossing. Target: Jumping Reach, Heading.

Direct and central free kicks (FM26 advice) [FM26]

From 18–25 yards: one player runs over the ball, one stands next to the taker as a short option. From deep central positions, usually go short rather than lofting it into the box.

Attributes: Direct taker: Free Kick Taking 16+, Long Shots 14+, Technique 14+.

Long throws only with a specialist [FM26]

Throw-ins are low value unless you have a long-throw specialist. With one, treat a near-post throw like a corner: a tall striker flicks it on and your best aerial CB attacks the second ball. Without one, keep throws short and keep the ball.

Attributes: Thrower: Long Throws 16+ (often a full-back or DM; search the lower leagues).

How often to train set pieces

One set-piece session a week in pre-season, then one every two weeks once routines are learned. FM27's Match Preparation can also hold a Set Pieces session for each opponent. Don't spend a whole week on corners while your open-play shape is weak.

GYR 4-2-3-1

Most downloaded FM27 tactic on FMScout (29k). Full breakdown is in the author's video. If you get too many yellow cards, lower tackling and remove Get Stuck In. One user got 80+ points with a lower line plus Step Up More.

Result: Champions with Sporting CP and Leicester (author screenshots).

Hürzeler's Brighton 3-1-5-1

Positive, Control Possession. IP: play through the press, pass to feet, work the ball into the box, shorter passing, lower tempo, much wider, short goal kicks. OOP: high press, counter-press, higher line, stop crosses. Roles: BPGK, inside full-back, 2 ball-playing CBs, DLP, two wingers, advanced playmaker, attacking mid, channel midfielder, channel forward.

Result: Brighton: 8th, 55 pts. An honest, realistic result.

Asymmetric 4-2-3-1 Hybrid

IP: more direct, lower tempo, wider, through the middle, dribble, pass into space, counter on winning the ball. OOP: high line of engagement with a lower defensive line, counter-press. Roles: BPGK, ball-playing CB, left wing-back, inverted right wing-back, DLP, box-to-box, playmaking winger, free role, winger, false 9.

Result: Bursaspor (Turkish 2nd tier): 1st with 100 pts, plus the Turkish Cup.

SATIVA 3-4-3

Positive. IP: shorter passing, higher tempo, work it into the box, both flanks, long goal kicks to the target striker. OOP: mid-block, very intense pressing, standard line.

Result: Fenerbahçe: Süper Lig 1st (83 pts, 97 goals) plus the Europa League.

The Pioneer 4-2-3-1

Double pivot, channel forward, three attackers behind the striker. If you concede too many, drop to a much lower line.

Result: Sampdoria (Serie B): 1st, 88 pts.

4-3-3 Dominator

An attacking 4-3-3. Settings are in the file.

Result: Arsenal champions (82 pts, 90 goals). A user's Bournemouth finished 17th.

Strikerless 3-4-3-0

Positive. Early forward passes and through balls to three attacking midfielders running beyond.

Result: Man City: 86 pts, 109 goals, UCL winners. A user's Man Utd finished 10th.

4-2-3-1 Gegenpress

Comes with two training schedules (until December, then January to May).

Result: Newcastle champions (82 pts), Villa 4th.

AsderBey 4-2-3-1

Very Attacking. Narrow, short and quick passing, extremely urgent pressing, much higher line. ⚠️ Several users report poor results and one suggests the 34/34 record was faked. Test it before trusting it.

Result: Author claims 34 wins from 34 (disputed).