Basic techniques | Defense FIFA 16 Guide

Last update: 11 May 2016

Tackle

Tackling is the most common and the most effective way to receive the ball - this is a way of retrieving the ball while standing without taking too much risk that would result from a slider. However, it should be remembered that too static a tackle and a late kick-off may result in a foul play and a potentially dangerous situation at your goal. To execute a tackle, press the tackle button.

Sliding tackle

Sliding tackle is a quite risky yet effective option if you want to stop an opponent with the ball; however, it is necessary to assess your chances of succeeding. If you succeed, the opponent will be forced to restart his game from the sidelines or with the corner kick, or simply he loses the ball to you. To execute this technique, press the slide button. Remember that your slide may just as well end in a foul play, which will result in a card.

Knocking the ball out of the penalty area

Sometimes, you simply do not have any option of eliminating the threat in your penalty area in a controlled way - then, without lingering, send the ball out of your penalty area by quickly kicking it out of the danger zone. To execute this technique, press the shot, or the cross button. At the same time, try not to knock the ball into the area ahead of the goal - this may end in the opponent's taking the "first ball" and scoring - this kind of play is really dangerous.

Matching the running tempo to the attacker

Matching the running tempo is a good way of winning time necessary to arrange defense formation in appropriate order - a skillfully-controlled player is sure not to play the ball into the penalty area and, if he does, the ball will definitely be blocked or sent into the corner kick area. It is also a good way to corner the opponent at the pitch's end line and make him execute an erroneous kick. To execute this technique, press the pace control button.