Deep dive into FUT custom tactics in EA FC 25. Defensive depth, width, player instructions, build-up play, and chance creation explained with examples.
Custom tactics determine how your team behaves in FUT. Understanding defensive depth, width, player instructions, and tactical presets is essential for competitive play. This guide breaks down every setting.
You can save four tactical presets: Defensive, Balanced, Attacking, and Ultra Attacking. Switch between them mid-match using the D-pad.
**Why This Matters** If you are winning 2-0, switch to Defensive to protect your lead. If you are losing 1-0 in the 85th minute, switch to Ultra Attacking for an all-out assault. Tactical flexibility wins tight matches.
Build-up play controls how your team moves the ball from defence to attack.
**Balanced** Standard build-up. Players move forward at a moderate pace. Safe and effective for most situations.
**Long Ball** Bypasses midfield with direct passes to forwards. Effective if you have pacy strikers and want to counter-attack quickly. Risky if your forwards lose the ball.
**Slow Build-Up** Short passes, patient possession. Your team keeps the ball and waits for openings. Effective against aggressive pressing but vulnerable to counter-attacks if you lose possession.
Defensive approach determines how aggressively your team presses.
**Balanced** Your team defends normally. Forwards press moderately, midfielders cover space, defenders hold their line. Safe and reliable.
**Press After Possession Loss** Your team presses aggressively immediately after losing the ball. High-risk, high-reward. Effective for winning the ball back quickly but drains stamina.
**Constant Pressure** Your entire team presses constantly. Extremely aggressive. Only use this as a last resort when chasing a goal in stoppage time. Stamina drains rapidly.
Controls how wide your defensive line spreads.
**30-40 (Narrow)** Defends the centre tightly but leaves space on the wings. Effective against narrow formations (4-1-2-1-2, 4-3-2-1) but vulnerable to wide attacks.
**50 (Balanced)** The default. Works well for most formations. Protects both the centre and wings adequately.
**60-70 (Wide)** Spreads defenders across the pitch. Good against formations with wide players (4-3-3, 4-2-3-1) but opens space in the middle.
Controls how high or low your defensive line sits.
**30-40 (Low)** Your backline sits deep. Difficult to beat with through balls. Effective against pacy forwards. Vulnerable to possession players who can break you down.
**50 (Balanced)** Standard depth. Your backline holds a moderate position. Safe and reliable.
**60-75 (High)** Your backline pushes up the pitch. Good for pressing high and winning the ball in the opponent's half. Risky against counter-attacks and pace abuse.
Player instructions override your default tactics for specific players.
**Striker Instructions** - **Get In Behind:** Striker runs channels constantly. Best for pacy forwards. - **Target Man:** Striker holds up the ball and brings others into play. Best for strong, tall strikers. - **False 9:** Striker drops deep to create overloads in midfield. Best for creative forwards with good passing. - **Stay Central:** Striker stays in goal-scoring positions. Stops them drifting wide.
**Midfielder Instructions** - **Stay Back While Attacking:** Essential for at least one CDM. Provides defensive cover. - **Balanced:** Midfielder contributes to both attack and defence. Standard setting. - **Get Forward:** Midfielder makes late runs into the box. Good for box-to-box players. - **Cover Centre:** Midfielder protects central areas. Use against formations that overload the middle.
**Defender Instructions** - **Stay Back While Attacking:** Recommended for all defenders unless you want attacking full-backs. - **Join Attack:** Full-back overlaps and supports the attack. Risky but creates width. - **Overlap:** Full-back makes forward runs when you have the ball. Provides an outlet on the wing. - **Inverted:** Full-back tucks inside to form a back three. Effective with three-at-the-back formations.
Determines how your team creates scoring opportunities.
**Balanced** Standard attacking approach. Players make runs but not excessively.
**Direct Passing** Quick, direct passes forward. Players make runs in behind. Effective for counter-attacking.
**Possession** Short passes, patient build-up. Your team keeps the ball and waits for openings. Frustrating for opponents but slower to create chances.
**Forward Runs** Players make aggressive runs into the box. Effective for crossing and through balls. Leaves gaps in midfield if possession is lost.
**Defensive Counter-Attack** - Build-Up: Long Ball - Defensive Approach: Balanced - Width: 50, Depth: 35 - Striker: Get In Behind - CDMs: Stay Back While Attacking
**High Pressing** - Build-Up: Balanced - Defensive Approach: Press After Possession Loss - Width: 50, Depth: 65 - Midfielders: Balanced/Get Forward - Full-Backs: Join Attack
**Possession-Based** - Build-Up: Slow Build-Up - Defensive Approach: Balanced - Width: 60, Depth: 55 - Chance Creation: Possession - Midfielders: Balanced
“What is defensive depth in FUT?”
“Best player instructions for CDMs?”
“How do I set up counter-attack tactics?”
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“Best custom tactics for 4-2-3-1?”
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