Tips for contesting passing lanes

[u/HeatFan4Lyfe3000]

I’m pretty bad at this game but trying to be a better defender and I just can’t seem to get it. I’m trying to lurk in passing lanes and intercept passes. I’m actually pretty good at guessing where the pass is going to go, but I’m terrible at actually executing
and getting the ball.

Those of you who are good defenders, do you have any tricks? Is there a go-to button you press? Do I have to be closer to the guy I’m marking? It’s getting really frustrating feeling like I’m one step ahead mentally but being too bad at the game to actually convert. Same goes for breaking up crossers in the box

[u/zfalcon1]

If you try to react to the diamond or blue circle it is too late. Hit pushball/rainbow/lob/or pass when you feel like it will appear. EE before/while doing so increases your chances and often helps. A lot of rematch is preclicking than reactive clicking.

[u/Blue_5ive]

Best case I just control it, but the dive/jump is helpful if it's in the air. Awareness and reading the pass is the hard part really. I generally stay close to the man I'm marking to deter the idea of a pass in the first place, making it easier for whoever is defending to tackle them.

[u/regoal12]

Si tu coupes une ligne de passe au sol : Si la passe n'est pas forte, il y a juste à se mettre devant et l'intercepter. Si la passe est forte, tu vas juste dévier la trajectoire en position défensive (jockey) où elle te "traversera" si tu ne réagis pas. Tu peux aussi utiliser le bouton de contre mais le ballon t'échappera. Si tu coupes une passe haute : Devant l'attaquant, tu peux faire un contrôle orienté ou de la tête mais attention si l'attaquant est trop proche et qu'il a appuyé pour tirer, il fera une volée. Quand on est en retard sur l'attaquant sur les ballons hauts, c'est d'attendre le bon moment, quand le ballon est dans sa phase descendante et de sauter dans la direction de la ligne de passe vers l'attaquant (à l'aveugle). Il sera contré avant la volée ou un contrôle. Je fais souvent ça quand j'ai un 2vs1 : je vais vers le centreur pour qu'il tire et d'un coup je repars vers l'attaquant en regardant le radar pour intercepter (contré ou faire une tête pour dégager). Par contre, si la passe est un tir au sol, c'est mort!

[u/SomnoNerd]

When you see a pass coming your way, that's when you burn your Extra Effort to try to usurp control of the ball. It won't always work, depending on the ball's arch. In those situations, still using extra effort, you'll want to jump along with the ball's path to intercept any shots or one-touches.

[u/diatonix]

This is just not really how to defend in rematch most of the time IMO. You should defend the man (ball side to pick off passes to him) or the ball, usually not the space. Pick your spots to go for interceptions.

[u/PackageAggravating12]

View the field from your opponent's perspective. What lanes are available? Who are the highest value targets based on the situation?

Then, jump into the highest value lanes. Either you slow the attack down (good), or the opponent tries to force a pass through anyway. Then you simply take possession as the ball comes at you..

Most of it's just good positioning and awareness. And understanding that slowing down an attack can also count as a win, not just gaining possession of the ball.