Tips for Defending

[MrProEvo]

Any defending tips? Finding it pretty hard to adjust to it in this game

I reckon tips here will help others as well

[oppyeunome]

[Sedophile]

Try anticipating what the computer will do. For example, say you're marking an opposition midfielder, and then you notice a free player that the opposition might pass the ball to, switch players to the nearest from the free opposition player and follow him, and press square (or the secondary mark button) to have one of your players mark the ball carrier.

In the case of a counter attack, which the computer excels at, you need delicate timing. Principle is the same as above, but you have to run in the same direction as the opposition (in other words, towards your own goal). Use secondary man, and place your controlled player near a good opposition player the ball carrier might pass the ball to.
Basically, put your player in the line of pass.

Also, sliding tackles upfront from afar (not from the side) can be effective against the computer, though they might get you yellow cards more than you need. Trying to challenge the cpu one on one will get you skinned and render your defender useless. Just outsmart the cpu.
Hope that helps.

[elnino9torres]

I just can't seem to get used to the new tackle system am used to just holding the X button.

[Silverstone]

I just can't seem to get used to the new tackle system am used to just holding the X button.

I much prefer the hold X button system too. The defending system in PES 2012 feels like being stranded in the middle of an ocean to me.

[DA77EN]

Holding down X suited me fine for the past ten years. Why the change I don't know

[nobleknight91]

Not by me thanks to Blanco from Evo-web

here are some tips:

- When you move your defender, use leftstick to move and avoid sprinting as much as possible. Watch the player with the ball and only sprint when he does, especially along the flanks. Sprint only when it's necessary!
Do some training sessions and learn to defend only by moving your player into position. Learn to block passing lanes combined with controlled second pressure.

- Don't use X to tackle. The only thing X does is moving you player to the ball. Holding X doesn't leave room to anticipate.
An AI player will bamboozle you everytime when you use X.

- Use a short welltimed R2 tap to tackle the ball, but be patient, only tackle when you feel the ball is free and not shielded.
The more your timing is off, the more you will miss the tackle.
And even if you tackle the ball half, the ball will jump from your foot and another AI player will steal the ball back.

- Don't always defend where the ball is. Sometimes the danger lurks somewhere else (deep runners, upcoming midfielders). Sometimes you better mark these then go for the tackle. Make sure you always use second pressure when you defend like that, but DON'T PUSH the second pressure button ALL THE WAY. Second pressure makes a player sprint towards the ball and sprinting in defence is always bad.
Release the second pressure button when he's near the ballcarrier and he will do his job much better.
Learn to ccordinate these two functions, mark the deep runner and use second pressure with care.

- When defending in the box with a minimum of space, use jocky (hold R2) and avoid large sideways movements. Sometimes the attacker just runs into you when you just stand still.

- Use the jocky function not too early when you run towards him, because the jockey animation is quite slow. When I appraoch him from a side, I try to move in front of him and when I'm about 1 or 2 meter from him I use jockey or R2 tap to tackle.

- Use double pressure when he tries to build up from his own box. Force him to use the long ball.

- Use double pressure on a lone winger along the flanks, but again, not too long. Just enough to bring him closer to the action.

- Don't use R2+X (hold-up play) too close to your own box and with lots of space around you. Hold-up play works best in the midfield and along the flanks.

- With R2+X the distance between you and the ball is fixed.
To maintain distance you better hold R2 + leftstick towards your own goal. This way you can control the distance much better.
When I have to defend against agile players I keep my distance (and use second pressure) so I have more time to anticipate when he makes a move. Just like in real football.
Holding R2+X and releasing X to move in for the tackle works not that much against good agile attackers, so I don't use it.
Only use it against them to hold them up for a short while, just enough to bring a second defender closer to the action with second pressure.

- When running towards a loose ball you can't get, use super cancel to reposition yourself and block the passing lanes and if possible use second pressure, but always with care.
This will force the AI player to look for other options (the long ball, passing back). Never run after a ball you can't get, use super cancel to avoid that.

- Holding second pressure can help to block crosses and passes, You are in defending mode anyway, so second pressure does something, especially on low crosses.
The same for R2+X btw, you can use R2+X to block crosses and passes, because R2+X moves your player between ball and pass reciever.

- Don't chase the ball with the same player for too long. Switch to the appropiate defender in that position. You will lose organistion of your defence and the AI will punish you for that.

- Think like a defender, positioning and timing is crucial.