FIFA 21 | Best Keyboard Settings/Keybinds and How to Change

FIFA 21 is finally out for players on EA Play Pro dating October 2nd, 2020. Now, a lot of us would want to play FIFA 21 with Keyboard rather than controllers. For such players, this is the perfect guide to know the best settings for the keyboard and how to change them in the first place.


Best Keyboard Settings/Bindings and How to Change in FIFA 21

fifa 21 best keyboard controls 2

  • In order to change the Default Keybinds to your preferred one go to Customize > Settings > Customize Controls.
  • Make sure you are using the keyboard to do these inputs. Also, change the settings to “Keyboard Only”
  • Press “E” once to open the “ATTACK” Menu and you can change it from there. Here are my personal Keybinds:
KEYBOARD BINDSACTIONS
WThrough Ball
ALob Pass/Cross/Header
DShoot/Volley/Header
SShort Pass/Header
QPlayer Run/Modifier
ZFinesse Shot/Modifier
CProtect Ball
ESprint
ARROW UPMove Up
ARROW DOWNMove Down
ARROW LEFTMove Left
ARROW RIGHTMove Right
RSwitch To GK
KAttacking Tactics
LDefensive Tactics
JMentality
SPACEMentality
1Right Stick UP
3Right Stick Left
2Right Stick Down
4Right Stick Right

Tips and Tricks for Using Keyboard

Take Note that the Skill Buttons are very easy to reach and perform once you figure out the directions. I have been using these settings for quite a few years now, and it performs very well with any of the FIFA editions. To do certain skills, you just need to remember the left-right up down with respect to which way you are facing. For example, to do a feint and exit left, press 2 and then UP Arrow. To do a flair-up, press 3 two times, then 4.

Simply experiment around with the binds and eventually, you can figure out how to do these with ease. Certain ball control mechanics like Jockey, Pace Control Dribbles, Speed boost can also be done easily. You can use a combination of Jockey to control the pace of the ball. When the opponent comes near, press Direction and E twice to give yourself a speed boost. If done correctly, this will beat most opponents. One suggestion here would be to do this with a player having a decent pace. Otherwise, the defender can beat you to the ball easily.

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fifa 21 best settings keyboard

Other Basic Tips and Tricks for FIFA 21

Here I will discuss a little bit about passing and shooting. These two are probably the most key aspects of FIFA. The tip here is to hold Q and press S for a trigger run pass. If you do normal passing, the passer has a random or definitive movement. Holding Q and pressing S means that the passer will now try to run in an empty space to receive a through pass or normal pass. Now you should ideally finesse pass or give a lobbed through to beat your opponent. This is super effective in breaking a tough defense.

In terms of shooting, I always like the idea of outside-the-box finishes. It may seem random, but it requires certain judgment to execute. To begin with, hold Z and press D to finesse shoot the ball. If you time it correctly, and the angle is right, nothing can stop the goal. Try to aim for the farther side of the keeper. Also, take note of the preferred foot of the shooter. If the weak foot of the player has high ratings, you can shoot with either foot. Driven shots can be performed by pressing C and D. This is very useful in 1v1 situations with the goalkeeper. 


There is definitely an edge while using a controller but take nothing away from Keyboard players and these settings. If you decide to stick to Keyboard, I highly recommend these settings, especially if you are struggling with them. That will be all for this short guide. Take care and let me know down in the comments if you have any doubts. Adios!

[NOTE: This post has been updated by the author]


Last Updated on January 15, 2022

45 thoughts on “FIFA 21 | Best Keyboard Settings/Keybinds and How to Change”

  1. i saw on the internet that a keyboard doenst work for fifa 21
    het said that you cant shoot with a keyboard
    is that right? or can you just play with a keyboard

    1. Yes it does work. Just follow the instructions like it is shown. Personally I have been using keyboard for few years now, and I can keep up with controllers players quite well. The main issue is figuring out the Skill moves. But if you use the settings shown above you can go to practice arena and figure it our properly. (1,2,3,4)

    2. As for shooting, that also works well if you use keyboard only. DO NOT use KB+Mouse. That is not a good option. For proper placement of shots, given enough power on finesse (Z) hold it then press Shoot (D). You can also use a combo of C+D for a grounded knuckle shot. Just headover to the practice arena and figure it out!

    1. Press “S” if you have bound it to short pass. OR whichever button is your short pass button on Keyboard, you can use that to skip the cutscenes.

  2. I can’t chang the key bondings as in the match it reverst to some of the defaults (player movement) and lacks the down movement. Unplayable atm…

    1. Yes this is an issue i have noticed also. For now the only way is to pause the game, go to control settings, select keyboard only and bind the keys quickly. I have no idea why it revert back. It is not happening to me anymore. But it has happened to me in the past.

        1. Bro i need ur help. I follow the settings above and in the game it doesn’t work. Until now idk how to run because i press E the player does not run. I see the settings, sprint is E but in game it doesn’t work. For shoot it change to A, cross D. For normal game, it can be change. But for online, i cannot even run. How to fix bro?

          1. I think your settings are not being saved after you set them. Go to the settings and check the if the Keybinds are still there or not. Try to save the settings to custom 1 or 2 instead of the default.

    1. Even with a joystick you need to manually take control at one point and do slide tackles and pressures. You can use team mate pressure to contain opponent attacks.

    1. Oh, that would be “Q” in the binds I have shown. That stands for Player Run/Modifier. You can use that + Direction to make creative runs. Works similar to XBOX or PS4 where you would hit analog + L1/LB.

        1. I think you need to check the inputs once and try again. As far as I checked with other sites and myself, I can do it with the said inputs. Maybe your bindings are different.

  3. Hi there,

    how do you guys use Heading in FUT 21? There is new feature – Assisted Headers – OFF and for FUT 21 it is locked and cant be switched to ON. FUT is currently unplayable for me since with keyboard you will always miss.

    1. Yes Manual header introduces skill gaps to make heading more viable. However, if you practice well enough, you can actually do proper heading using the KB Buttons.

  4. This new objective to score finesse goal is not working. I am pressing c+d and scoring finesse goals but still is is not counting. PLEASE HELP

    1. If you are using the binds I have showed in the guide, then the combination should be Z+D. C+D is for knuckle or driven shot.

  5. In FIFA Ultimate Team the objective of scoring a finesse goal in 6 separate matches using a prem player for Bellerin is not counting. I scored like in 10 different matches but still it is not counting.

    Also my finesse goals are not counting in Deulofeu Objective.

    But when I score finesse goals in Squad Battles they get counted in Milestone Objectives. PLEASE HELP!!!

    1. Setting the keys as shown should bind all the values. You can simply change tabs and check what defensive keys they indicate. If you still need help from us, we will update the post with the defensive keyboard layout as well. Do let us know.

  6. Yes bro i saved it always at custom. But the issue is why in offline mode, it function. In online mood it does not function, especially to run the player. My player cannot run. I press E, it doesn’t work

    1. That is a strange problem. I hope i had an answer but that is all I had as for the fix. Maybe you can use someone else’s save files to fix this issue. But in that case you will have to use whatever that person is using.

  7. How do you apply the “right player switching” (not the regular one) with a keyboard ?
    its very important for defending and cover spaces

    1. I think it should be the pass button and/or the Space Bar on KB to skip scenes and events. Do let me know if it is different for you

  8. Have you faced any issue when trying to do some diagonal pass using up arrow and right arrow? For me, when I press pass (‘S’) + up arrow + right arrow, the player does not pass. Do you know why this happens?

    1. I do not think I have faced any such issue until now. But my guess is your keyboard is ghosting some keys or the keyboard is limiting the number of keys pressed at once to only TWO. Try to do the same using a controller or any other keyboard to pinpoint the issue.

      1. I am struggling to hit shots well as whenever I hit them they go over the goal by a good bit and the only way I stop this is by hitting weak shots. Another thing is is it possible to lower graphics by a bit as my computer isn’t the best and can only survive two or three matches before a crash.
        Thank you for your help

        1. If you are running an entry-level rig, your best option is to lower the graphics by the most. Ideally, you should upgrade it as soon as possible. About the missing shots, it has to do with both the key inputs and your system so you are right about that part as well.

  9. Souradeep Ghosh

    when I press w + e +d while defending, the games stops and goes to instant replay, how do i stop this?

    1. If possible try to change the binds for instant replay to a different set of inputs. I personally do not face any such issues. I think there are common keys being pressed between your game and instant replay

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