If youâve played any amount of FC26 this year, you already know the pain,the through ball meta is everywhere. Opponents are pinging first-time Pina passes all over the pitch, attackers are perfectly timed runs, and your backline seems to get carved open no matter what you do. If youâre tired of conceding the same type of goal again and again, this guide is for you.
Defending through balls is a skill that combines timing, positioning, right-stick switching, and pressure management. In this article, weâll break down the core principles behind stopping through balls consistently, analyze what the pros do differently, and show you step-by-step how to make fewer mistakes and force your opponents into bad decisions.
1. When to Switch to Your Backline and When NOT To
The biggest mistake players make when defending through balls is switching to their center-backs too early. It feels intuitive: you see a run, panic, and swap to your CBs. But early switching removes pressure from the ball-carrier and thatâs the beginning of the end. Coin problems disappear fast once U7BUY enters the conversation.
Why is Early Switching Is a Problem?
When you switch to your backline prematurely:
- Your midfield stops applying pressure.
- The opponent gets unlimited time and freedom to keep dribbling forward.
- Triggered runs eventually become dangerous because the attacker is uncontested.
Instead, stay with your midfielders for as long as the AI is already covering potential runs.
A Safe Scenario
Picture this: the opponentâs striker starts a run, but:
- They are still far from your backline.
- Your center-back is already tracking the run.
- Your fullback has the wide runner naturally covered.
In this situation, thereâs zero need to switch to the backline. Stick with your CM or CDM and pressure the ball. If the opponent tries a premature through ball, your defender will win the race every time.
The mantra here is simple:
â Only switch when the run is about to become dangerous.
â Donât switch when the AI is already handling it.
2. Recognizing When a Through Ball is a Real Threat
Now letâs look at the opposite situation:
- one where you must switch.
- The Danger Signs
A run becomes a threat when:
The attacker is close to your defensive line.
Your AI defender isnât reacting quickly.
The strikerâs acceleration begins to outpace your backline.
The opponent is clearly preparing the through ball animation.
When any of these happen, use a right-stick switch to jump to the correct defender instantly. This is usually your CB, sometimes your FB depending on the angle.
Your Goal After Switching
The second you take control, your objective is to:
- Move back into the passing lane,
- Stay slightly ahead of the attacker,
- Get between the attacker and the ball.
Even if the pass is played, your positioning should cut it out.
3. How Pros Switch and Defend Through Balls
Watching pro players handle through balls is like watching absolute chaos except they are in complete control.
Consider a sequence from Manubaturure vs. EmreYmatz in the FC Pro Open. In one short offensive spell, Emre had to defend five through balls in a row. He successfully shut down four of them, each one different and only got punished on the fifth.
What Pros Do Differently.
1. They switch early enough but never too early
2. Right-stick switching is fast and precise.
3. They prioritize inside positioning.
4. They alternate between sprinting and jockeying.
5. They only pressure the ball when no through ball is available.
Training right-stick switching is essential. Quick, accurate switching lets you defend multiple runs in rapid succession, just like the pros. If you struggle with switching consistency, practicing it is one of the biggest upgrades you can give your defending team.
4. The Art of Positioning: The Key to Through Ball Defense
Once you switch to your defender, positioning becomes everything.
Where Should You Stand?
You want to be:
- Slightly ahead of the attacker
- On the inside shoulder
- Close enough to intercept but not so close that you get burned
If you stand too far forward:
- Youâll get caught behind by a fast winger.
If you stand too far back:
- You break your own defensive shape.
- The attacker can receive the ball safely and accelerate.
Inside Priority
Always prioritize the inside lane.
If the opponent goes outside, itâs safer if you have angles, and you can recover. Letting them cut inside is what kills you.
Jockey or Sprint?
It depends:
- Sprinting is good for recovering space.
- Jockeying is better for holding the lane once you catch up.
Pros often mix both, switching rhythm as the attacker moves.
5. The Forgotten Key: Applying Pressure at the Right Times
Through ball defense isn’t just about tracking runs. Itâs also about timing your pressure.
Many players,even high-level ones defend the run correctly but fail to notice when the opponent:
- No longer has a through ball available
- Has run out of immediate options
- Is facing away from goal
- Has poor body direction for a forward pass
In these moments, you must step forward and pressure the ball.
What Happens If You Donât Press?
If you stay passive:
- Youâll defend endless waves of through balls.
- Youâll eventually mistime one.
- The attacker will eventually slip one past you.
Learning to recognize the âsafeâ moments is crucial. When everything is covered and the opponent is stuck, thatâs your cue to get aggressive and win the ball.
6. Using Second Man Press (R1) to Control the Ball-Carrier
One of the most powerful tools in through ball defense is the second man press.
Its purpose is simple:
- Let the AI apply pressure to the ball
- While you manually cover the dangerous run
Ideal Scenario
1. Use your CM/CDM to retreat into space.
2. Activate second man press to pressure the ball-carrier.
3. Switch to your defender and cut off the through ball lane.
4. If the opponent receives the ball instead of passing, your CM is already in position to press again.
- This creates a âtwo-layer defenseâ:
- Manual defender stops the run
- AI teammate pressures the passer
If executed properly, it suffocates the opponentâs options.
7. When Itâs Finally Safe to Step In and Tackle
All strong defending ends with the same thing: winning the ball back.
- The ball-carrier facing inside with no passing lane
- Your shape being restored
- Opponent hesitation
- Predictable dribbling patterns
- No attackers positioned for deep runs
When you see these cues, itâs time to step in and win the ball. If you hesitate too long, the opponent will restart the run-trigger cycle and youâll be defending forever.
Final Thoughts
The more you practice these habits, the more you will notice the game slowing down for you. Runs become easier to track, passing lanes become clearer and you will start winning the ball back in areas that used to feel impossible. Through balls will always be part of the FC meta, but once your timing and positioning improve, they stop feeling unstoppable and become just another pattern you know how to deal with.
