FIFA 23: How To Defend Like Pro [Tips & Tricks]

FIFA 23 is the last in line to the historical franchise that inspired many football fans. The fast-paced gameplay is what makes it so unique, and the action feels certainly more powerful this season. However, most players lack defensive skills that make them fairly weak. Therefore, we have created a guide that will show you how to defend in FIFA 23 and also has some great defending tips for you to get started.  

Our guide today will focus on how to defend in FIFA 23 and some of the best defending tips that will help you become a defensive monster.

How To Defend  

Defending is a core part of your gameplay and matches. Without defending will not be able to progress much in the game, and you will be prone to the strategies and attacks of your opponent team.

Especially when you are playing in the multiplayer mode, you will need all the difference you can get, as your offensive skills alone will not be enough.

Tips For Mastering Defense 

After you have mastered the defense controls, it is important that you take into account certain tips that will help you become a defensive monster in no time.

Below we have carefully collected the tips that will help you out a lot in making your defense stronger.

Assembling The Best Squad 

It is no doubt that the team matters the most when it comes to any game. When you are setting up your team, make sure that you choose the best defenders that are available in your club, especially for your Starting 11. Also, make sure that you analyze their ratings carefully instead of picking random players.

While the overall rating does matter, it is important that you take into account the defensive attribute when selecting the defenders. Additionally, you should also look out for stats like pace, tackling, physicality, and heading. These traits will ultimately determine the skills of the defensive players you have in your team.

When assembling the defensive line, make sure that you have the defenders with the highest rating for sports like CB. Also, make sure that you have defenders with high tackling and heading ratings as well. Whenever you are looking for an RB or LB, make sure that they have a good hold on their tackling ability.

Another thing that you should look for is speed and pace. They are the most important traits for the defensive players and will help you get through the end game as well. 

Also, keep in mind that he should have strong midfielders as they will be helping out your defenders the most in the game. Furthermore, it is important that you choose the midfielders that have high defense traits. Another good strategy is to have some CDMs in your starting 11 to help you out early game. 

Team Formation 

Another crucial part of your gameplay is definitely team formation. Managing your defense requires proper strategy and careful analysis of your team members starts. There’s no doubt that the number of defenders you have on your team matter a lot.

However, when it comes to the point where your opponent is making a move, you should have mastered the art of managing defense as well.

Winning the ball bag should be a priority as well, and defamation will play a huge role in it. Defensive formations that are 4-1-3-2, 5-3-2, or even 4-3-1-2, I consider to be the best.

These formations are very diverse as well as you can switch to the offense when needed with these formations. However, we recommend that you look for the formations that you feel the most comfortable with playing. Another great formation is 4-2-3-1, which has two CDMs in it. 

Switching Players, The Right Way 

Using the right stick player switching has made it a lot easier for the players. Furthermore, it will also help you out a lot when you’re defending. It is important to note some players tend to struggle a lot with players switching, whether it is Elite Level or Division Ten. 

However, the Adaptive Right Stick switching makes the process a whole lot easier to master. You can find the setting in the controller settings option, where you can set the Right Analog Stick for the players switching.

Also, it helps you out a lot in practice as you will get a visual reference that will show you the players you will be switching to, making it a lot easier. The Visual Indicator is what makes the player switching a whole lot more convenient as you will be able to see the players you’re going to set as a defense.

Also, the reference of the visual indicator can be ball-specific or player-specific, depending upon your needs. So, make sure to make use of this setting. 

Use Hard Slide Tackles And Backheel Tackles 

If you are caught in a situation where there is no open window of sending the ball out, then you can use the hard sliding tackles. Defensive awareness plays a huge role in it.

Furthermore, if your player does not have high ratings in defensive attributes, then there are possibilities of committing a foul in the game. On the other hand, back heel tackle has been introduced, which would also help you in situations like these. 

Keep Your Pace 

The next tip will be to prioritize your pace as much as possible. Keep in mind that the Running Jockey has been nerfed badly this season. Therefore, the attackers will be more dangerous, especially when running. Also, you will have three types of acceleration that include explosive, lengthy, and controlled for some specific players.

While controlled is just no other type of acceleration vigilante, you can get acceleration at a great distance. Furthermore, in explosive, you will get a boost of acceleration at the start, which can be quite beneficial for you. Depending upon their starts, the players will get a specific acceleration type. 

Manage Your Defense 

In FIFA 23, defense will be manually focused for the season. Furthermore, the nerve in running jockey has led it to become passive, and the speed will entirely depend upon the defensive awareness stat. We recommend that you use your goalkeeper as much as you can while defending so that it will be harder for the attackers to get through.

Furthermore, make sure to utilize your CDMs and CMs as much as possible to defend. You won’t need to utilize your back line as much and if you feel like you need a little bit of help, use your midfield. If your back line Is not strong, then the opponents can easily break your defense. 

Using Partial Team Press 

A popular strategy in football is pressing. Therefore, there has been a new mechanism introduced called Partial Team Press. Whenever you are chasing the ball or the opponent player,, selecting the option of partial team press will allow you to get two defenders and mark the passing options of the attacker.

In order to perform the PTP on Xbox, you will need to press the R1 button twice. However, on the PlayStation controller, you will need to press the RB button. It is undoubtedly an important strategy that can help you block the passing options of the opponent with the ball.

Wrap Up

With this, we conclude our guide on how to defend in FIFA 23, as well as some of the best tips for defending in the game. Hopefully, after reading our guide,, you will become a pro in defense and will be able to handle any situation that comes your way skillfully.

If you have any queries regarding our article,, leave them down in the comment section below,, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.