In any game, everyone wants to be a star, and as you’ve likely seen from your teammates in Rematch, some players crave the spotlight even more than they crave victory. But if you’re aiming for success, there’s one crucial aspect you’ll need to get right: defense. After all, scoring a ton of points is meaningless if the other team outscores you.
Since mastering defense can feel like a mysterious challenge in Rematch, we’re here to equip you with all the essential strategies and skills you’ll need to become a defensive powerhouse. With our insights, you’ll be defending like a pro in no time!
Keep An Eye On Your Team’s Defense
Before diving into the details, let’s set the record straight: you’re responsible for your team’s entire defense. This might sound overwhelming, but it’s true. No matter your position, you must always monitor the defense. If you’re playing forward, take a quick look back at your goal. If you notice the goalie is isolated and an opponent is lurking nearby, it’s time to adjust your position to support the goalie.
There will definitely be times when you’ll turn around and find the goalie has left the net unattended to chase after a ball. Always stay alert about your teammates’ movements to dodge possible mishaps. If a problem arises, be quick to step back and help out where needed.
Become A Better Goalkeeper
First off, don’t restrict yourself to just standing between the posts. Sometimes it’s crucial to move up and secure the ball. Remember, you have unlimited stamina, so sprint whenever necessary. If an opponent inaccurately passes the ball and you’re nearby, you can often get to it first.
If the ball enters your goal area (the box in front of the net), scoop it up right away. This is key. If you see a ball lying loose in the goal area, and you can grab it before the other team does, don’t hesitate!
Effective Passing As A Goalkeeper
Once you have the ball, your goal is to pass it to a teammate. A well-placed kick is helpful, but be aware of interception risks. One way to enhance the chances of a successful pass is to aim short; letting the ball roll to a teammate can be effective if no opponent is in the way. Just be cautious if an opponent is between you and your target, as they can easily intercept the pass.
If there’s an opposing player in between you and your teammate, try bouncing the ball off the wall if your target is positioned well. This can successfully sneak the ball past coverage.
You can always throw the ball to a nearby teammate, but only do so when it’s safe. If the opposing team has you surrounded and there’s no clear receiver, it’s better to clear the ball out of your half. Aim for the teammate who’s the farthest away and do your best to connect.
As a goalkeeper, you do have some leeway to move up if it’s safe, but don’t stray too far from the goal area. And definitely don’t venture outside the goal area near an opponent; a simple foul can lead to a free goal. Never take the ball across the center line as a goalkeeper! That’s simply asking for trouble.
Dealing With Rainbow Flicks
A common tactic players employ is to approach the goalie casually and attempt to rainbow flick the ball over their head. If this has caught you off guard before, remember it’s a trick move. If they’re close enough to do this, slide into them to win the ball. If you’re a bit slow to react, you can jump to grab the ball. Often, getting caught by this tactic means you’ve positioned yourself too far forward.
Handling Ricochet Shots
Another popular strategy is to shoot high, causing the ball to ricochet back into play. This can be tricky since you have to judge when to let the ball bounce and then respond quickly to block the follow-up kick. If you’re quick enough, you can rush forward and grab it before the opponent gets another chance, but sometimes you just have to react. This is why it’s critical to have defenders supporting the goalkeeper.
Become A Better Defender
As a defender, your main job is to apply pressure to the attackers. If the goalie is isolated and an opponent has control of the ball, they can take their time to assess and aim for a perfect shot. Defenders need to disrupt that process. The more pressure you apply, the less time the opponent has to react.
A void getting too far forward when your team is pressing the attack. Stay close to the midfield line to maintain the ability to retreat quickly if the opposing team clears the ball away. Always be ready to fall back if the other team has a sniper waiting near your goal.
Defensive Techniques To Know
The key skills you’ll rely on as a defender, besides regular tackles, are your defensive stance and the ability to use your head for passing. You can adopt a stance that positions you better to intercept passes, turning your sprinting into quick lateral movements to block or reclaim the ball. This is especially effective when facing a shot arriving toward you.
Using your head to redirect a ball is a great way to intercept aerial passes. Hold down the sprint button, then hit the pass button when the ball is airborne, allowing you to pop up and send it flying wherever you’d like.
Effective Ways To Strip The Ball From Rivals
As a defender, it’s crucial to avoid relying too much on sliding tackles. You should reserve those for desperate situations or when chasing a fast opponent from behind. Standard tackling is quicker to recover from and lets you remain engaged with the play. If you do find yourself needing to slide tackle, make sure you’re in a position to capitalize on a close shot opportunity.
While sliding tackles should generally be minimized, they can be useful as a last resort when you see an opponent gearing up for a shot. They can be a key move when time is running out.
If you’re up against a tricky dribbler, stand your ground and observe their moves. While this may allow them to advance, if they try to pull off a flashy move like a rainbow flick, you can spring into action and knock the ball away.
Cutting Off Passing Lanes
Many attackers will opt to approach along the walls to avoid crowding in the center. This plays to your advantage as a defender. If you position yourself between them and the goal, they can’t get a shot off, and being near the wall gives them limited passing options. Instead of rushing in, stay put and force them to make a decision.
By holding them in place, it increases the chances that a teammate will cut off their lone passing lane, leading them to either make a risky play or lose the ball to your goalkeeper.
Anticipate Crosses And Intercept
One of the most effective offensive plays involves passing the ball across the field for a teammate to rush in for a goal. This move can often be challenging to defend against. If an opponent is marked by a teammate, look for others they might want to pass to.
Instead of crowding that player, hang back slightly to bait them into making the cross. When the ball is in motion, dart in and intercept it. If you can thwart their crosses consistently, you’ll be dismantling a major component of their offense.
What To Do Once You Have The Ball
As a defender, you shouldn’t celebrate your moment of glory with fancy dribbling moves. Instead, have a simple game plan.
- If you have clear space, pass it to an open teammate across the field.
- If a horde of opponents is closing in, it’s best to clear the ball to safety, even if it’s not ideal.
- If you’re slightly surrounded but have a moment to breathe, gently pass it to the goalie. They’re better equipped to find your teammates. Just ensure you trust your goalie, as some may panic and cost you an own goal.
