EA's classic Soccer video game series has its latest iteration arriving at fan's console of choice in FIFA 21The legacy sports series has seen numerous incarnations, with World Cup Spin-off games, its annual releases, and a number of games that many franchises can only aspire to achieve. Every version of the game comes with a varying degree of changes to the gameplay formula. The release of FIFA 21 provides the most polished version of FIFA to date. With incredible visuals, smooth and responsive gameplay, and numerous improvements to the Ultimate Team game mode. For fans of the series, FIFA 21 is the greatest entry in the series.

Related: FIFA 21 Fixes Some Of Its Worst Bugs In Surprisingly Effective Update

One of the most important aspects of FIFA 21 is the art of defense. Although offensive play provides the best highlight reels, a good defensive player finds the most success. It is a relatively underexplored subject in the community but it has a bit of nuance to become a good defensive player. For fans of the series, there is a variety of legacy skills in this subject, however, with enough practice, even new players can become excellent defenders.

How to Become a Good Defender in FIFA 21

Becoming a good defensive player requires a lot more than just skill. It will force players to read situations, develop awareness, and great reflexes. Making it just as difficult as scoring goals on the offensive as it is to prevent goals on the defense.

One of the first lessons a player will need to learn is the ability to stay patient on defense. This means, going for that risky slide tackle immediately might not be the best approach to defending. Utilizing the powerful, jocking buttons, is a good way to establish your patient defensive play in a match. Performed by pressing L2 or LT, the jockey forces your player to move slower but makes their tackles more accurate and is useful in cutting off lanes. A good player will utilize the jockey button will establish an incredibly solid and patient defensive line.

Another lesson is to learn when and how to defend space and not the player. This means, to cut off an opponent's offensive lanes, and options. So rather than charging directly at an enemy taking a step back and stopping their drive down the line of the pitch. This idea is an extension of the importance of patient play, which leads nicely to learning when and how to switch defenders in order to effectively cover space. If you get a good read on an opponent switching to another defender and intercepting a pass can lead to a devastating counter-attack;. Being smart, patient, and observant with your defender switching can create a frustratingly impenetrable wall on defense.

More: The Most Underrated Players in FIFA 21

FIFA 21 is available on PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch.