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FIFA Soccer 09 How to Defend Guide part 1 by fifaaddict
Since the release of FIFA Soccer 09 many of you are having trouble in defense. I decided to create a small guide to help you become a better defender in FIFA Soccer 09. I recommend applying these tips and tricks in an unranked game just for you to get a hang of things.
Never Dive In:
Many players rush the attacker if you play soccer in real life you know this is the hardest way to defend as the attacker will beat you easily. Don’t Dive In.
Wait for Support:
When you are 1v1 against the attacker don’t put pressure right away if you are the last defender back. If the attacker beats you he will be 1v1 against the keeper, wait for support and use the (Call 2nd Defender Button) then make your defensive move.
2nd Defender:
FIFA09 has a feature called (call 2nd defender) this feature allows you to tell a 2nd defender who is nearest to the ball to put pressure or mark the attacker with the ball by holding X on your PS3 controller.
The cool thing about this feature is that you can be in control of a defender while you tell the 2nd defender to pressure the ball, great for double teaming an attacker.
Square Your Defender:
I’m sure many of you have seen that its very hard to control your defenders and that they commit very easily on defense, well by using your WALK button your defender will square off his body facing the ball putting him in a save position to make his tackle, this is done by holding L2 on your PS3 controller. (you will also notice that your defender will make a hand gesture calling his teammates back for help)
Stealing the Ball:
People always wonder why they keep fouling the player with the ball, this because you are holding the steal ball button too long. You need to apply the Tap, Tap, Tap button rule this means when you are trying to steal the ball from the attacker press your steal the ball button simultaneously (tap, tap, tap) this way your defenders wont give away stupid fouls or commit easily.
Sprinting on Defense:
Never a good thing, why you ask? Because the more you sprint the less control of you player you will have. Only sprint if you are 100% sure that you will win the ball if you sprint without thinking it will be easy for the attacker to make his move and he goes 1v1 against your keeper.
Its better with you sprint to get closer to the attacker then release the sprint button then square off your defender facing the ball and call your 2nd defender for help. (see Square Your Defender help)
CPU Defending:
When your opponent sends a ground or air through ball don't switch to your defender right away if you are 50/50 with the attacker by switching to your defender u will noticed that you will interrupt his run and slow him down.
In FIFA switching to defenders too fast will interrupt the players momentum, what you need to do is Let the CPU do it for a few seconds until u know u will get the ball is better.
Camera Angle:
The camera angle is very important to me the best camera angle is the classic TELE with 100% zoom and 100% height this will allow you to see then entire field better and you can see your opponent’s players coming at you or else you will get blind spots.
Player Switch:
I don’t know about you but I dislike it when the CPU switches to a player that is not even near the ball, for this reason I recommend to you all to change your player switch to 0% this way you will have full control of your defenders. You can switch your player switch by going into your wireless controller settings.
Defensive tactics:
Make sure that your PRESSURE is not above 50 and that your AGGRESSION is below 40.
Explained:
Pressure ---> is how much is how much pressure your team or defenders will put on your opponent. I don’t' like it to high because it leaves gaps and people can beat you easily.
Aggression ---> this is how aggressive your defenders will be when not controlled by you if you noticed that when your aggression is like 60 or 70 your defenders will either double team the player with the ball or run right to them leaving a gap in the back.
It’s always good to keep it balanced. If you take a look at Milan's tactics their Pressure is at 30, you will notice that their defenders never go pass the middle and always stay back. Chelsea has a low pressure and aggression too same with Manchester United. Barcelona’s tactics are risky, they are a great team to attack but they are one of the easiest team to beat and score on because they pressure is high.
Defending Quick kick-Off:
Many times people will kick the ball forward at kick-off and dribble through all your players or take a shoot right after the kick-off to get an easy goal. What you can do is right before kick off press the (call 2nd defender button) the defender will put pressure on this attacker not giving him a chance to shoot or dribble past you.
The reality of this is that players are not suppose to pass the ball forward at kick-off they need to pass the ball back then go forward this is the fairplay way.
Formations:
Formations are a big part in FIFA, some formation counter each other for example 4-3-3 vs 4-4-2 the 4-3-3 formation will be harder for you to defend the middle of the field there for you will need to use a more balanced formation. Keep in mind that the formations below were selected for better defense not intended for offense.
4-4-2 Customized
Very balanced formation it allows you to attack the wings for easy crosses, it is also great for defending as you have two center defensive midfielders that track back to help out the defenders. Look at Spain’s default formation one player acts as the CDM while the other acts as a attacking mid but he always tracks back to support the defenders.
4-1-2-1-2
Great formation for defensive mind players, it allows you to defend well but at the same time support your strikers. Its very important to always keep 4 players in the back and with your CDM (center defensive Midfield) it makes it almost impossible to penetrate through the middle. You also have a CAM (center attacking Midfield) this is a great link between the midfields and the strikers.
I recommend this formation for players who are having defending the 5 star teams abusers like the Manchester united and Barcelona.
3-5-2
This formation gives you a great balance in the midfield its great to attack the flanks, your players will always be available for that 1-2 pass because of your 5 midfielders.
Do not use counter attack with this formation as your opponents will have a goal fest since you are only keeping 3 defenders in the back.
You need to understand what your style of play is then select or customize a formation for you. Why would you choose a 4-3-3 formation if you like to pass the ball around a lot.
Defending Crossing:
Sometimes its luck that you get to win the ball in the air, but you should know that there is a trick to always win the ball or at least make it harder for attackers to win the ball in the 18 yard box. – When your opponent crosses the ball from either sides left or right make sure that you hold the Walk Button (L2) this will make the defender face in the direction that the ball is crossed, then make sure that you head the ball with O (shoot button) in the direction it was crossed.
If you try to head the ball the opposite way your defender might not have the perfect angle or position to win the ball. Try heading the ball at an angle while holding L2 pushing the R3 analog button will also help fight off the attackers.
Clearing the Ball:
Has this happened to you? When you press the pass or shoot button for your defenders to clear the ball out, and they just stand there and look at it? Well its best that you don’t kill the buttons meaning don’t press them too many times as it may cause your player to freeze or give a poor clearance, just press and hold or double tap and hold the last tap.
Ex: Tap, Tap (hold) hold the last tap.
Charging with Keeper:
Using the keeper charge button (triangle) can be good and bad, calling the keeper out is great at times but you must time the attacker’s runs or steps this is a great way to intercept the ball. Its best that you press the keeper charge button then press it again this will make your opponent think that you pulled your keeper out and he will try to go for the easy chip shot by press then keeper rush button again your keeper will then track back fooling the attacker.
Cutting Angles:
Never chase the player with the ball after he beat you 1v1 always try to run at angle back to your goal don’t chase the attacker has he will always win the foot race.
If your last defender (RB or LB) gets beat on the wing don’t chase the attacker make sure that you run back to your goal at an angle eventually you will run into him again and this time you will have support and win the ball. (remember to use your walk button and call 2nd defender features)
Defending Corners:
Always keep a player by the semi circle this way when your keeper or your defender clears the ball you will have a player in the path of the incoming attacker making it hard for him to get a shot off.
Always get in front of the attacker win the ball positioning is important, keep at least one player at the penalty spot. Don’t pull your keeper out to punt the ball unless you are 100% sure keepers make better saves when they are kept in goal.
Offside Trap and Cover:
I’m defensive minded there for I never use the offside trap setting instead I use cover, by setting your tactics to cover your team will always be in place to make a great tackle. When you are covering you reduce the chances of your opponent beating you with the give-and-go or the air through ball, for this reason I do not recommend using offside trap.
Message from fifaaddict:
For many of you FIFA is just a video game, that’s not the case for me, it requires thinking and skills its kind of like a chess game you need to think about your opponent’s next move and try to intercept him. Always think ahead try to figure out your opponents next pass, cross, skill dribble etc…
Play fair guys as you don’t get anywhere by cheating. Play FIFA the way it is meant to be played don’t just run the entire game be creative.
09/08/2010 09:23h (GMT-6) Central Time
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