Feature Focus | Defense Mode ⚽️

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Hi all,

A lot of you have been asking questions on how defense works in Rematch - by popular demand, this post will therefore focus on the defense mechanics !

From the beginning of the project, we wanted Rematch to focus on teamplay, with mechanics that incentivize passing the ball and collective actions. Defense mechanics had to be strong enough that players in possession are under pressure, and need to pass the ball around - it remains possible to pass a defender with well-placed dribbles, but that remains the riskier option, and one to be used carefully. 

We invested a lot of effortinto making sure that the defensive abilitiesare properly balanced.Towards that objective, one key principle (which we’ve covered in a previous post) is that players in possession are vulnerable to tackles. 

There are two types of tackles: Sliding tackles, and Standing tackles.

Sliding Tackles 

These are the iconic tackles of football, they have the longest reach, but also the longest commit. They are performed while sprinting: hold LB/L1 and press B/Circle to perform a sliding tackle. If the sliding tackle connects with the ball, the ball is pushed away in the direction of the tackle. The ball will be pushed stronger at the beginning of the tackle than at the end of the tackle. This means you have to be careful when using it: don’t tackle in the direction of an opponent, otherwise the ball will be pushed away towards them. 

If the sliding tackle connects with the ball while an opponent is in possession, the ball is pushed away, and the opponent is briefly stunned, falling to the ground.  

Standing Tackle 

Standing tackles are performed by pressing B/Circle when not sprinting. They have a shorter reach than sliding tackle, but also a shorter commit. The standing tackles also push the ball in the direction of the tackle, and if they connect with an opponent in possession, they will also briefly stun the opponent.  

Note that players in possession can enter “Protective Stance” by holding LT/L1, which allows them to perform dribbles, and also allows them to avoid being stunned by Standing Tackles coming from nearby defenders: if a standing tackle connects with a player in Protective Stance, the player is pushed back and loses control of the ball, but does not stumble. This allows them to regain control of the ball if they react fast enough. Protective stance does not protect players against sliding tackles however.

Defense Mode

Holding LT/L2 while out of possession switches you into Defense Mode: this essentially creates a larger hitbox around the player, and allows to automatically deflect shots that are nearby. If the ball is shot directly at the player, or very close to them, the ball will be deflected forward, allowing the defender to push forward. If the ball is shot to the side, the ball will still go past the defender, but will be deviated instead of deflected, having less impact on the ball’s trajectory. 

Defense Mode is therefore an essential tool when facing opponents with the ball, in order to close down angles and protect your goal.

Dash

In Defense Mode, players can use Dash by pressing A/Cross to perform a dynamic side step which can be very useful to shadow an opponent’s movement. The Dash maintains the properties of the Defense Mode, allowing players to block shots of opponents that are out of reach of the Defense Mode. It can also very quickly be cancelled into a tackle or dive, giving these abilities more reach.  

Dive

Defenders have another tool to allow them to intercept balls that are too high for tackles or dash, and too powerful to be volleyed: the Dives. By holding RB/R1 and pressing B/Circle, players can dive in the air, and deflect balls that connect with their trajectory. The dynamics of the dive are different depending on whether the player is jogging, sprinting, or in Defense Mode, with different vertical and horizontal reaches for each. Choose your locomotion wisely to intercept balls in the air ! 

This covers the main mechanics for outfield defenders. A critical part of Defense remains to be covered: the Goalkeeper role.

Stay tuned, and see you next time!