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FIFA 22 Defending Guide: Best Methods and Custom Tactics

To defend better in FIFA 22, scan the pitch to stop through balls on counter-attacks, switch players with the right stick, jockey with L2 to block passing lanes and keep the ball.

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In brief

AI summary

  1. In December 2021, this FIFA 22 defending guide advises scanning the pitch on counter-attacks, as almost half of FIFA goals come from counters, and switching players with the right stick, not L1.

  2. FIFA 22 defenders should jockey with L2 to cover passing lanes and wait for the opponent's mistake, and aiming for 85% or higher pass accuracy means conceding very few chances.

  3. FIFA 22 custom tactics for defending in the guide are Balanced (width 30-40, depth 30-40), Drop Back (width 20-30, depth 20-30) and Press (width 40-50, depth 60-70).

Contents15 sections

CLICK THIS LINK TO REACH OUR LATEST FIFA 22 DEFENDING GUIDE!

Many things in FIFA 22 are different from last year. Players with 5-star skill moves are not that important, the game tempo has slowed down compared with previous years thanks to the HyperMotion Engine addition, and the goalkeeper animations are dizzying. But the players' biggest problem has still not changed: not being able to defend. "I can't defend in FIFA 22" is a common problem for many people. As the saying goes: "Attack wins matches, defense wins championships." In this article, where we look for an answer to the question "How do you defend in FIFA 22?" , we will try to be the solution to all your defending problems!

Stopping Through Balls on Counter-Attacks

You can stop through balls on counter-attacks by quickly scanning the pitch while the opponent attacks and checking whether there is any danger. We can almost hear you saying "yes, I knew that," but it is not that easy. Almost half of the goals in FIFA matches come from counter-attacks, and that percentage rises the further you move from esports-player level down to the average player level. There is a reason the "L1 triangle" talk has stuck. If you can play plenty of through balls yourself, great! But at the other end of the game, you have to stop them.

Although this feels hard at first, after a while you start to take control of the pitch. A player running in behind, a fast winger who has pushed up behind our full-backs, a centre-back left far forward are definitely scenarios we do not want. If you make stopping through balls your first priority, you will see many of your opponents' attacks get blocked before they even start.

Manual Player Switching in Defense

As in previous years, the inability to switch players lies at the root of many problems. We have to say that switching players with L1 has become quite bad this year in particular. That is why you need to learn somehow to switch players with the right stick.

First we look at the pitch and select the player we want to switch to. Then we point the right stick toward the position of that player relative to the ball. That way we have switched to the player we wanted. Although switching with the right stick will occasionally throw us onto a player we did not want, you can be sure it will be far more efficient than switching with L1. Learning this will also help you make the right challenge at the right time.

Sergio Ramos defending in FIFA 22

Winning the Ball by Blocking Passing Lanes (Jockeying With L2)

Winning the ball back comes from jockeying with L2 and blocking the passing lanes. You have cut out most of your opponent's counter-attacks and are switching players yourself with the right stick. So what is next? The answer to that question is the jockeying we do with L2. First, when the opponent has the ball, especially around our penalty area, we select our defensive midfielder. Then, instead of mindlessly pressing the opponent, we see the gaps in the middle where he can pass and cover that space by holding L2. Pressing the opponent right away and winning the ball may be what you are used to, but for better results you need to wait patiently for your opponent to make a mistake. An opponent who is used to being pressed will usually lose the ball with a bad pass, and you will get the chance to launch a counter-attack yourself.

The Best Defense Is Attack

The best defense is attack, because you cannot concede while you have the ball. We have listed what you need to do when the opponent has the ball. Whatever you do, all of them can end in a goal. But there is one thing that cannot end in a goal: when you have the ball. Especially when the opponent has settled in their own half and is passing, it is technically impossible to concede as long as you do not lose the ball to your opponent. Of course, passing at the back for 90 minutes is a terrible idea. Instead, once you have settled in the opponent's half, if you use your attacking options well and do not hand the ball to your opponent easily, the number of goals you concede will drop quite a lot. The saying that defense starts with attack and attack starts with defense is really true. Looking at esports matches again, we see that both sides' pass percentages are quite high. If you aim for an average pass accuracy of 85% or higher, you will see that you give away very few chances.

FIFA 22 team chemistry screen with a starting lineup

Take a Break When You Get Angry

There is a rule that applies not just in FIFA but in almost every area of life: people are more prone to mistakes when they get angry. A half-hour break after a match lost in the 90th minute or later can save you from a losing streak where you concede 5 goals per match. To apply all the points above, you need to stay calm and focused. A break to stop yourself from making simple mistakes will really not be the end of the world.

Various Defensive Custom Tactics

  • Balanced

Defensive Style: Balanced

Width: 30-40 range

Depth: 30-40 range

Recommended: At the start of matches, when the score is level

Pros: As the name suggests, it is balanced, you are less likely to make mistakes and it is easier to focus

Cons: It should be changed during the match, there is no press, and players can sometimes stay too far forward

Instructions: Full-backs stay back, at least one of the midfielders stays back

  • Drop Back

Defensive Style: Balanced

Width: 20-30 range

Depth: 20-30 range

Recommended: Late in matches / against a much stronger opponent (you should pray for luck to be on your side)

Pros: Your players defend close to your penalty area and the opponent cannot get in easily, and the opponent will get frustrated (quite likely)

Cons: Your chances to attack decrease, and the opponent can shoot from distance

Instructions: Full-backs stay back, all midfielders stay back

  • Press

Defensive Style: Press After Possession Loss / Press on Heavy Touch

Width: 40-50 range

Depth: 60-70 range

Recommended: For those who want to enjoy the game and get into more chances

Pros: Faster time to win the ball back, chance to attack again and again, easier to beat weaker opponents

Cons: Riskier, more chance of mistakes, players tire faster

Instructions: Full-backs get forward, wingers stay forward, striker stays forward

How Do You Set Up Custom Tactics?

  1. Enter the squad building menu
  2. Select Custom Tactics
  3. Select your game plan
  4. Enter Balanced
  5. Adjust Defense and Attack
  6. You can also adjust the instructions by moving between the menu tabs with R1 and L1

FIFA 22 custom tactics settings for a 4-2-3-1 formation

That's all from our defending guide! For more FIFA 22 content:

Gamer Papers: More FIFA 22 Content

FIFA Ultimate Team

FIFA Gameplay

More FIFA 22 News

FIFA 22 Career Mode Articles

Frequently asked questions

Questions answered in this article

Take a Break When You Get Angry

There is a rule that applies not just in FIFA but in almost every area of life: people are more prone to mistakes when they get angry. A half-hour break after a match lost in the 90th minute or later can save you from a losing streak where you concede 5 goals per match. To apply all the points above, you need to stay calm and focused. A break to stop yourself from making simple mistakes will really not be the end of the world.

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How Do You Set Up Custom Tactics?

That's all from our defending guide! For more FIFA 22 content: Use this link to reach the Season 3 objective players! • Use this link to check out the new FUT Champions system! • Click here to get the Prime Gaming free pack! • Use this link to see the guide to joining the Champions Playoffs. • Here you can look at the Icon Swaps items! • Use this link to check out the Winter Wildcards promo!

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Kerem Ayış

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