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Defending inFIFA 23may seem impossible, but it becomes much more approachable if you master the basics and practice patience. The game moves quickly, and often the biggest pitfall of playing in defense is trying to do too much.
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Reacting to your opponents without over-committing is essential to playing stifling defense while remaining disciplined. Skill moves are difficult pills to swallow on the receiving end, but don’t let your opponents frustrate you and get you off your game. Letting your opponent make a mistake instead of making one yourself is the key to success.
What Are The Basics Of Defending?
Playing well in defense is often the undoing of many great offensive powerhouses.
However, mastering the building blocks and learning each facet of defense will allow you todominate opposing teams by limiting their chances.
It’s easy to get antsy on defense, but due to the nature of ping differences, you’re able to find yourself out of position if you rely too heavily on guessing someone’s next move.
Learning the importance of positioning your teamwill be the major difference between winning matches and leaking goals.
Blocking Shots
The best way to limit goals is to block shotsfrom ever even reaching the goalkeeper; after all, your goalkeeper is AI-controlled, unless you player-lock.
When you’re first learning the basics, it’s inevitable that you’ll face situations where only one player stands between a striker and your goal. During these situations,practice putting your body in front of the ballwithout making a move or diving in.
Stand Tackling
As your positioning improves, you’ll be putting yourself within reach of the offensive player and thus the ball.
As you approach the opposing player, use the Jockey ability while inching closer and automatically take the ball off of the offensive player when you’re close enough.
As you jockey,usestand tackle(the shoot button)to manually take the ballfrom the offensive player, though at the increased risk of missing the ball and fouling.
To Jockey,hold LT on Xbox or L2 on Playstationand each can be combined with the sprint button for more aggressive Jockeying.
You should only use stand tackle if you think that Jockeying will not separate the forward from the ball, butmissing it will leave you flat-footed.
Slide Tackling
Slide Tackling(the lob pass button)is by far the riskiest defensive maneuverand should only be considered in situations where you have no other option.
Often,slide tackling is best used by Left or Right Backsas they attempt to stop a player from blowing by them on the wings, and having a clear path to goal.
You should only slide tackle if you are coming at the attacker head-on or if you can perfectly time a slide from their side, asyou must make contact with the ball firstto avoid being assessed a foul.
Slide tackling from behind almost always results in a Yellow Card but can be a Red Card depending on where the tackle happens – in other words, avoid it.
Advanced Defending Techniques & Tactics
Once you’ve gotten your feet wet and learned how to stop attackers from making a mockery of your defense, you canstart to think tactically about your play.
Thus far, the focus has been on limiting shots or preventing them just as they are about to happen; however, defense starts with controlling meaningful possession of the ball.
Shutting down shots and stopping runs are great, butforcing your opponent to make a mistakein the midfield and higher up the pitchwill limit the pressure you’re under.
Applying Pressure With Forwards And Midfielders
The first line of defense actually begins with your forward players, so don’t underestimate thedefensive impact that an excellent wingercan have on a match.
While in-game,bring up your tactics(using the D-pad on a controller)andpush left to select Team Presswhich will keep your team engaged and applying constant pressure.
Doing this for the entire game willseverely exhaust your team’s Stamina, so use it only when necessary to avoid having a slow side in the last portion of the match.
Cut Passing Lanes
Once your opponent enters the midfield area, you shouldswitch your focus to the open passing lanesthey have to choose from.
The passing lanes represent the different paths to your goal, sodrag your players into passing lanes to clog them –this will confuse your opponent and keep your defense unpredictable.
If you find yourself getting rinsed by skill moves or players with max Pace, then allow the attackers some space, but remain between them and their teammates.
It’s difficult to remain patient and keep yourself in a safe position, but as your opponent runs out of room, you’llsuffocate their offensive movements by cutting off all options, besides dribbling.
Defending well in FIFA 23 is about forcing your foes into mistakes or outnumbered situations. Use the pressure that Team Press brings tofunnel attackers into traffic in the middle or run them out onto the wingswhere the threat is limited.
