The FIFA 22 fake shot is a skill move that cancels a shot or pass animation at the last second, letting you wrong-foot defenders and glide past them into open space. Its main value is as a deception tool: you sell the threat of a shot, the defender commits, and you burst away with the ball. To do the basic version, you don't need a five-star skiller or any special attributes, just the right button sequence and a bit of timing.
What is the FIFA 22 fake shot?
The fake shot is a core offensive move in FIFA 22 that lets you start a shooting animation but cancel it before the ball is struck. Instead of shooting, your player performs a quick feint, dragging the ball or stepping over it. This is one of the most reliable ways to create space in tight areas, especially near the box, because it forces defenders to react to a shot that never comes. When used correctly, it buys you a half-second of freedom to pass, cross, or shoot for real.
How to perform a basic fake shot on PlayStation
On PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, the exact button combination for a standard fake shot is: hold L1, then quickly press Circle (or Square) and then X. The key is that the shot button (Circle or Square) is pressed a split second before the pass button (X). Holding L1 (the trigger for finesse or flair in some contexts) is part of the input, so don't release it until after you press X. If you do it correctly, your player will fake the shot and keep the ball at their feet.
How to perform a basic fake shot on Xbox
For Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, the same move uses the mirrored buttons: hold LB, then quickly press B (or X) and then A. The rhythm is identical, B (or X) first for the shot, then A for the pass cancel. LB is the button you hold throughout the entire input. This works for every player on the pitch, regardless of their skill rating, so you can use it with your center-backs to escape a press or with your striker to freeze a keeper.
How to do the open up fake shot variation
The "Open Up Fake Shot" is an advanced version that adds a directional change to the basic feint. On PlayStation, you hold L1, press Square or Circle then X, and move the Left Stick diagonally in the direction you want to open up toward. This is not a simple left or right input; it must be a diagonal (e.g., up-right or down-left) to trigger the "open up" animation, where your player pivots 90 degrees and faces a new direction. This is ideal for cutting inside from the wing or turning away from a defender who has committed to your body feint. The timing is the same as the basic fake shot, the diagonal input happens as you press X, not before.
Tips for mastering the fake shot timing
The single most important factor is the delay between the shot and pass buttons. If you press them too slowly, your player will actually shoot; if you press them at the exact same time, the game may register a pass or a shot. A good rule of thumb is to think of it as a quick tap-tap, with the shot button leading by about a tenth of a second. Practice in the skill games or a friendly match against the AI before using it online. Against a sliding tackle, the fake shot is almost a guaranteed penalty or a free run on goal. Also, don't overuse it in the same match; defenders will start reading it, so mix it with real shots and passes. Finally, note that the fake shot is most effective when your player is facing the goal, it's far less useful when your back is to the defender. If you're looking to waste time in the corner or slow the tempo, a fake shot can also be used to shield the ball, but its primary purpose remains beating a single defender in a one-on-one. Remember that the input window is short, but the payoff is huge, especially if you can chain it into a sprint or a through ball. For context, a full match is the length of a FIFA 22 game at 90 in-game minutes, so you have plenty of time to test it out in a real match once you've got the rhythm down in practice.
