FC 27 Defending Guide: Controls, Settings and Tips

This FC 27 defending guide starts with the key change: AI defenders no longer tackle for you. You have to jockey with L2/LT, tackle at the right moment with Circle/B, block passing lanes and switch to the right player yourself.

What changed in FC 27 defending?

EA's Gameplay Deep Dive, published in July, frames FC 27 around "more player control". For defending that means:

• No more AI auto-tackles: In Competitive Gameplay, AI defenders no longer go for the ball when a dribbler gets close. They hold position and cover passing lanes until you make the challenge. They can still win the ball if a dribbler runs into them.
• Shorter AI interception reach. The defender you control can reach further than AI-controlled ones.
• Faster jockey and longer stand tackles for manually controlled defenders.
• Teammate Contain marks from further away. It delays the ball carrier but rarely wins the ball, so you need to switch to the defender who will press.

EA's closed beta update on September 3 added more: spamming the shoulder challenge makes your defender stick out an arm and lose speed, Team Press has no effect in your defensive third, and lower Defensive Depth settings make the back line retreat sooner. Note that Career Mode and other Authentic Gameplay modes use separate tuning.

FC 27 defending controls (PlayStation and Xbox)

These are the default Classic controls. FIFPlay's and GAMES.GG's lists agree on them.

Holding X/A depends on your defending scheme. According to FIFPlay it is Contain in Technical/Legacy and a physical tackle in Advanced Defending. Check which one you use in the game's controller settings.

FC 27 defending guide: step by step

1. Switch before the pass arrives. GAMES.GG's advice is to pick your defender while the ball is travelling, not after the striker has it. L1/LB can skip fullbacks when the ball is central, so right stick switching is more reliable.
2. Block the inside lane first. Forcing the attacker wide is far less dangerous than a through ball into the box. Lofted through balls are very strong in FC 27, so don't pull centre backs forward needlessly.
3. Close the gap, then slow down. Don't sprint straight into the dribbler. Once you are close, jockey with L2/LT and stay balanced in the one-on-one.
4. Tackle on a trigger. Go in with Circle/B after a heavy touch, when the attacker turns into you, or once they commit to a direction. Sometimes simply staying between the attacker and goal ends the move without a tackle.
5. Don't spam the shoulder challenge. Per EA's beta update, repeated presses slow your defender. It works best side by side with the ball carrier.
6. Use Teammate Contain to delay. Let the second man hold the attacker up with R1/RB while you cut the passing lane or switch to the player who will press.

Recommended defending settings

From the GAMES.GG guide:

• Clearance Assistance: Directional, so clearances go where you aim.
• Auto Switching Move Assistance: Off, so you can change direction immediately after switching.
• Right Stick Switching: Player Relative.
• Professional Fouls: On, to stop counters with R1 + X / RB + A.

Use your tactics to help your defence

Individual defending only goes so far. If your centre backs lack pace, drop the defensive line; in FC 27 a low line clearly reduces the space behind. Park your CDM in the lane to the striker and let midfielders track runners instead of dragging centre backs out. Use Team Press in the opponent's half, as it does nothing in your own third. For how this compares with older games, see our FIFA 22 defending guide.

Sources: EA - FC 27 Gameplay Deep Dive, EA - closed beta update, FIFPlay - FC 27 controls.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why don't my defenders tackle in FC 27?

AI auto-tackling was removed in Competitive Gameplay. AI defenders hold position and support, and the challenge has to come from the player you control.

What is the jockey button in FC 27?

Hold L2 on PlayStation or LT on Xbox and steer with the left stick. For sprint jockey, hold L2 + R2 or LT + RT.

Why is Team Press not working?

According to EA's beta update, Team Press has no effect while the ball is in your defensive third. Use it in midfield or the opponent's half.

Is the shoulder challenge still useful in FC 27?

Yes, but only when you are side by side with the ball carrier. Spamming it while chasing from behind makes your defender stick out an arm and lose speed.