Now it's time to talk about defensive positions. There are 4 defensive options, triggered by pressing the "tactics modification" key (E as default and will be used throughout this article, but you can alter it as well as other controls) along with one of the keypad (2,4,6,8).
Pressing the E-8 combination will trigger the "Pressing" option. Your defenders will be very close to the attackers, trying to intercept the pass before it gets to the attacking player. It is useful when your opponents is not very good in "one-touch" passes and needs a second or two to get control of the ball. But beware of skillful opponents – especially in control of technical players (like Eto or Rooney) as they can beat you – and your defender is never going to catch them.The computer is very skillful at that.
The E-6 option is the "Offside Trap". As in real football it has advantages (the attackers will often be called offside as your defenders will instantly move forward just before opponents team has made a forward pass) and disadvantages - skillful attackers will "keep the line" with the defenders and (usually being quicker) go one-on-one with the goalkeeper. The strategy can be used if your goalkeeper is good in one-on-one situations.
Pressing E-2 will activate the "Zone Defense". In this case, your defenders will hold their positions on the field, not trying to pursue the attacker (especially the one without the ball). When opposing attacker will get the ball, the defender will meet (press) him, returning to his position once the attacker has lost or passed the ball. This tactics can be useful against the one-touch attacks – especially against a computer opponent.
The last E-4 option is the "Flat Back". In this tactical disposition the center backs will generally move forward, to keep the same line as the full-backs (the latter will move slightly backwards). Nothing special, but combined with the "Offside Trap" can catch opponent's forwards unaware.
