Are you having trouble defending in EA FC 25? That could be annoying because you are most likely losing your games, which in turn will result in dropping in rank. People have different definitions for defense in FC 25, but defending is all about not letting your opponent score.
If you get this fundamental understanding right, you will quickly see improvement in your gameplay. But that itself isn’t enough for one to become a good defender; hence, I bring you this guide on the 5 Best FC 25 Defense Tips & Tricks to Use in 2025.
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Choose the Right Formation and Adapt to the Current Meta
Choosing the correct formation will make your life easier while defending. A proper defensive formation will help all your players work together and limit space for your opponent, which is exactly what we need to look for while defending. A player who is willing to learn new stuff through videos, guides, etc. will always adapt to the current meta and naturally win more games—this stays true even for formations.
It’s through these videos and guides I’ve found about the 5-4-1 formation, which is one of the best for defense, and also about the 4-3-2-1 formation, which is arguably one of the most used and successful formations in FIFA; however, to play it in FC 25, you must use the 4-5-1 flat with a few changes.
Luckily in FC 25, copying the formations and custom tactics from pro players is very easy with the help of codes—so, make sure to watch all the latest videos on YouTube by FC 25 pro players and learn the current best formations and other meta tactics from them.
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Learn the Art of Jockeying
Defense playstyle might seem slow and boring, especially when compared to all the flashy playstyles you could do as an attacker—but keep in mind, a strong defense can single-handedly win you games. In my opinion, Jockeying might arguably be the best way to defend in FC 25.
Jockeying allows you to apply pressure, cut off passing angles, and, more importantly, slow down attackers and delay their plans. This method not only buys you time but also forces your opponent into making predictable plays, giving you an edge. Hold down on L2/LT to perform jockey; you can combine it with R2/RB to perform sprint jockey.
However, this technique can easily be countered by a few skill moves; a good opponent with awareness can quickly change direction and feint, leaving you out of position. Since jockeying is all about slow, focused, and controlled movement, missing key opportunities can leave your player vulnerable or poorly positioned.
Note: Players with the Jockey+ playstyle can easily transition between jockey and sprint, and they also have an increased max speed of sprint jockey. Players like this will often be more successful in 1v1 situations.
Learn How to Use Second Man Press
Second Man Press is one of the most effective defensive techniques in FC 25, yet it’s often overlooked, especially by new players. While this tactic can significantly improve your defense and help you gain the upper hand, it comes with a high-risk, high-reward style of gameplay. If used carelessly or without proper awareness, it can just as easily cost you the game as it can help you win.
The Second Man Press allows you to use two defenders at once. You can do this by holding R1/RT while controlling the defender that is closest to the ball carrier. This will call in another player to move towards the carrier and apply more pressure. As mentioned, if you do not manage to make the right plays during the Second Man Press, you will have two of your players vulnerable and out of position.
Note: The key to using this technique effectively is timing and understanding when to switch back to control your original defender.
Just make sure to not overcommit while using this technique; moreover, constant pressing is exhausting on the players—always keep an eye on your stamina bar when using such techniques.
Master Player Switching
In FC 25, you can either do the manual player switch with your L1/LB button or even switch using the right analog stick. Both of these methods are important, but they serve slightly different purposes, and you need to know when to use what.
Manual switching is easy; this allows you to quickly switch to the nearest player. But mastering how to player switch with the right stick can be hard but very useful. With the right analog stick, you can precisely switch to a player by flicking it towards them, though players are more likely to make mistakes during intense situations.
L1 switching is faster and easier to use, but it lacks precision. Right-stick switching can be slow and requires practice, but it offers great precision.
This comes with experience, so if you’re yet to explore right-stick switching, I recommend you start playing friendly matches and try only using right-stick switching until you get the hang of it.
Use Goalkeeper Movement
Finally, your ultimate defense comes from the goalkeeper, and you can make your GK perform even better by actually using the goalkeeper movement. Did you know? You can move your goalkeeper manually. You can do this by pressing and holding the R3 button and moving your right analog stick.
You can double-press Triangle/Y to rush your goalkeeper to the center and prepare to claim crosses. Holding Triangle/Y will rush your goalkeeper out to challenge the ball and potentially make a save. Having the cross-claimer and rush-out playstyles or playstyles+ on your goalkeeper will give you an added advantage.
These are my top 5 tips and tricks for becoming a better defender in EA FC 25. Don’t forget to implement these tips from your next games—I can promise you that you will see a huge improvement in your defending and ultimately win more matches and climb through the rank ladder!
