In soccer, knowing how to defend effectively is as important as knowing how to attack. Similarly, in EA FC 25, if you master the fundamentals of defending, you can stack up wins consistently. However, if your defense is weak, you’ll lose more than half your matches.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about defending. If you practice these techniques, you will be able to defend like a pro in EA FC 25.
How To Defend Like A Pro In EA FC 25
Defending in EA FC 25 consists of two major parts: positioning and tackling. To defend like a pro, you must position yourself efficiently and tackle to win the ball. While it sounds easy, it requires a ton of practice to master both of these mechanics. That said, we’re gonna break these down and explain how to master the art of defense.
Positioning
To begin, let’s talk about positioning. Similar to attacking, positioning plays a huge role in defense. The way you want your attackers to always be in the right position to receive a pass, your defenders should be in the right positions to defend the ball. This means sticking to the formation you’ve set and keeping the players in that formation. For example, if you have a right-back defender, don’t bring him over to the left side of the pitch to win the ball. Instead, switch over to the left-back defender.
That said, there are a ton of ways to make sure your players are properly positioned. So, let’s take a look at all the techniques involved in positioning.
Player Switching
As mentioned, player switching plays a major role in positioning your players efficiently. Instead of defending your entire half with a single player, you should switch between players frequently. This gives your opponent less space to work with, resulting in a tighter defense. In EA FC 25, there are two ways to switch between your players: L1/LB and Right Analog Switching. Both of these are fundamental to positioning, and we’re gonna explain how to use them.
The basic control for player switching is L1/LB. If you want to switch between your players, simply press L1/LB and your controlled player will be switched. There’s also a next player indicator on the top of the player showing who you’ll be switched to. So, if you’re in control of a player, a white indicator will be placed on top of the player near you, indicating that they’re available.
When you press L1/LB, you’ll switch to that player. While this is the fundamental mechanic for switching players, it can be tricky sometimes. For example, there are times when you need to switch to a player instantly, and that player isn’t available directly. So, you have to press L1/LB a few times to be able to get control of that player. And, in key instances, like when a through ball is placed between your defense, this can be disastrous. This is where the Right Analog Switching comes in.
As the name suggests, the right analog switching lets you switch your players with the right stick. You just need to gently flick the right stick toward the player you want to select, and they’ll be selected. For this, there is no next-player indicator and you can directly switch to anyone you want, making it faster than the basic L1/LB switching. Also, keep in mind that the switching is done relative to your selected player. So, your current player will be the anchor point, and then you’ll flick the right stick toward the player you want to select. By using the right stick flick, you can take control of your key defenders instantly and stop those deadly through balls.
To be able to position yourself efficiently, you need to use a combination of both of these techniques. This will make sure that you always get control of the desired defender and stop crucial attacks.
Jockey
In EA FC 25, the jockey is one of the major mechanics for defending. During the jockey, your player goes into a defensive state and gains extra control. By executing this mechanic, you can become better at intercepting passes and tackling efficiently. To execute a jockey, press and hold L2/LT. Once it is activated, your player will go into a defensive stance and you’ll be able to interpret the movement of the attacker.
While you’re jockeying, it becomes harder for the attacker to dribble past your defender. So, during 1v1s when your opponent doesn’t have anyone to pass to, this is the perfect mechanic to use. Additionally, you can also execute a sprint jockey by holding L2/LT + the sprint button. Since the attackers have more pace than the defenders, the sprint jockey helps keep up with the pace of the attackers while maintaining control.
On top of that, during a jockey, your defenders maintain their position. This makes them stick to their formation and keep the defense tight. So, make the most of the jockey button and your defense will automatically become better.
Double Press
The double press is another great tactic that positions your defenders to put pressure on the ball. During a double press, you call another defender to pressure the attacker. This can help you win the ball in tight spaces and is essential to intimidate your opponent. To activate the double press, press and hold R1/RB. Once activated, the player near you will join in to win the ball.
However, there are certain things to keep in mind while double pressing. First, it depletes the stamina of the player you’re calling to double press. So, if you press the button for too long, you’ll tire out your defenders. Second, the double press shouldn’t be used constantly. While it helps you win the ball in tight spaces, it can also open up your defense if used too much. For example, if you keep calling in a second defender, they’ll be forced out of their formation, opening up space for the opponent.
To make the most out of the double press, use it at the winging positions, and in the 18-yard box. In both of these areas, your opponent won’t have much space to work with, resulting in them losing possession.
Tackling
With positioning out of the equation, the next major piece of defending is tackling. While positioning is important to make sure your defenders are in the right place, it’s not enough to win the ball. To gain possession, you need to execute a tackle. In EA FC 25, there are two major tackles, and some added variations to them. So, let’s break them down one by one.
Standing Tackle
The standing tackle is the simplest tackle you can perform. To execute it, simply press Circle/B on your controller, and your player will perform a standing tackle. While this is the most basic and commonly used tackle, it’s the most powerful one in the game. Getting a standing tackle right will guarantee you possession and bring a deadly attack to an end. However, to get it right, you need to perform it at the perfect time. In a standing tackle, timing is key, and it determines everything.
To perfectly execute the tackle, make sure your defender is facing the opponent. Once your opponent takes a touch at the ball, it will be kicked a bit away from their feet, this is when you need to tackle. Keep in mind that if you wrongly time the tackle, your defender will be beaten, and your opponent will have the advantage. So, only tackle when you know you’ll win the ball, and don’t overuse it. Our advice is to jockey in front of the attacker as they have the ball, and once you see an opening, perform the standing tackle. Combining the jockey with the standing tackle will make sure you have the highest chance of winning the ball.
Shoulder Tackle – Advanced Defending
The shoulder tackle is another variation of the standing tackle. Here, instead of tackling, the player uses their physicality to win the ball by pushing the attacker. So, this is better with players who have high physicality stats or a bruiser playstyle. To perform the shoulder tackle, you’ll have to first turn on advanced defending from the game settings. To do that, follow these steps.
- Go to Game Settings
- In the Gameplay section, scroll down till you see the Defending option.
- Here, switch from Tactical Defending to Advanced Defending.
You can perform the shoulder tackle by pressing X on PS and A on Xbox. On top of this, the controls for your standing tackle will remain the same. This gives you the control to choose the type of tackle you want to perform, instead of letting the AI choose it for you.
With the Shoulder Tackle now unlocked, use it in situations where a standing tackle won’t do. For example, when you’re in a running duel with an attacker, instead of performing a standing tackle, use the shoulder tackle to put pressure on them. Additionally, you can double-tap X/A and hold it to enhance your chances of winning the ball with a shoulder tackle. Since you’re not essentially tackling the attacker, the shoulder tug is very safe to use and rarely results in a foul. So, practice it and use it to win the running duels.
Sliding Tackles
Sliding tackles are very risky to perform. However, when done right, they can be extremely rewarding. To execute a sliding tackle, press Square/X. This will make your player slide on the pitch to perform a tackle. These are supposed to be used as a last resort when all else fails. In moments where the attacker has a free shot on the goal, you can perform a sliding tackle and block the scoring chance. By throwing your body in the way of the shot, you’ll stop crucial goals. That said, keep in mind that sliding tackles have the highest chance of committing a foul. If you get the timing wrong or tackle from behind, you’re almost guaranteed a booking.
To make the most out of these tackles, always use them when you’re in front of the attacker. This way, you’ll touch the ball before the player, winning possession cleanly. You can also perform a hard sliding tackle by holding R1/RB and then pressing Square/X. In this tackle, your defender will cover more ground and be even more aggressive in the tackle. Again, this is incredibly risky, so practice it to perfection. You just need to get the timing right and you’ll be golden.
Tips For Defending In EA FC 25
Master Off the Ball Defending
If you want to defend like a pro, you need to perfect the art of off-the-ball defending. This isn’t a mechanic and you won’t be pressing a specific button to activate it. Instead, it’s a combination of all the positioning tactics. Off the ball defending simply means covering up free spaces with your defenders, and intercepting passes.
To do this, you need to cover all the possible passing lanes of your opponent. Whenever they have the ball, position your players efficiently using a combination of both jockeying and player switching. Once they’re about to make a move, anticipate it, and make sure you’re in the correct space with the relevant defender. This way, you’ll be able to intercept more passes and win the ball without tackling.
Use the Sliding Tackle as the Last Resort
One of the major tips to becoming a better defender is minimizing the use of the sliding tackle. While it’s a great mechanic to use as a last resort, you shouldn’t overuse it. The reason behind this is that your players need time to recover from a sliding tackle. If the tackle doesn’t go as planned and the attacker beats your defender, you won’t have enough time to recover.
Instead of using it all the time, only use it when all else fails. At times when you want to commit a tactical foul to stop a goal or when you’re the last man standing, the sliding tackle is a great option. Other than that, just use the normal standing tackle.
Make the Most of the Double Press
The double press is a great defending mechanic, and it’s broken in EA FC 25. If you use it correctly, the constant pressure on your opponent will make them lose possession. Whenever you see that your opponent is shaky, use the double press to exploit their mistakes and win the ball. That said, keep track of your player’s stamina and position, and don’t go too overboard on the double press.
Use Offside Traps
Finally, if you want to become a pro defender, you have to add some tactics to your gameplay. One of the easiest in-game tactics you can use is the offside trap. To perform it, double-tap the upside arrow on your controller’s D-Pad. This will make your defenders initiate an offside trap. Once activated, all of the players will move up on the field, making sure that your opponent’s next pass is offside.
This is best used when your opponent is deep into the final third and about to play a through ball. Here, you can execute an offside trap and disrupt their entire attack. However, keep in mind that this requires a ton of practice. If you randomly execute an offside trap, it can be extremely dangerous as all your defenders will move up, giving space to the opponent. A wrongly executed offside trap will give your opponent an easy scoring chance. So, practice it in matches, play around with it, and once you’re familiar with the mechanic, add it to your arsenal.
Published: Mar 10, 2025 11:02 am